U.S. Could Explore 2038 World Cup Bid as FIFA Weighs 64-Team Future

What happened:

The United States could consider making a bid to host the men's 2038 World Cup, according to Giuliani, as reported by BBC Football. The report also says FIFA is considering expanding the tournament to 64 teams, which would be another major structural shift after the move to a larger World Cup format.

The key word is "could." This is not a confirmed bid, not a hosting award, and not a finalized FIFA format change. It is an early signal of interest around a tournament cycle still more than a decade away.

Why it matters:

A possible U.S. bid for 2038 would keep North America in the long-range hosting conversation after the region's central role in the 2026 World Cup. For FIFA, the United States remains one of the few markets with the stadium scale, commercial base, broadcast value, and travel infrastructure to absorb a very large men's World Cup.

That matters even more if FIFA seriously explores a 64-team tournament. Expansion changes everything: number of venues, match calendar pressure, team base logistics, broadcast inventory, travel demands, and competitive balance. A larger field could open more qualification places, but it would also require a host plan capable of supporting a heavier match load.

Tournament impact:

For fans, federations, and cities, the practical consequence is that the 2038 race may eventually become linked to the format debate. A 64-team World Cup would likely favor bidders with many elite stadiums and proven event operations. The United States fits that profile, but interest alone does not settle political, financial, or FIFA rotation questions.

The report does not say whether the U.S. would bid alone or as part of a shared hosting plan. It also does not confirm whether FIFA has chosen expansion, only that it is under consideration.

What to watch:

The next meaningful developments would be formal federation language, FIFA bidding timelines, and any clearer proposal around the 64-team model. Until those arrive, this is best read as positioning: the U.S. may want to stay in the frame, and FIFA may be testing the boundaries of how big its flagship event can become.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: U.S. interest in potentially considering a 2038 men's World Cup bid, and FIFA consideration of a 64-team tournament. Still needing follow-up: whether a bid is formally launched, whether FIFA expands the tournament, and what hosting structure would be proposed.