Which countries could host the 2038 FIFA World Cup?

With the 2038 FIFA World Cup still many years away, no hosting decision has been made, and no formal bidding process has begun. But based on FIFA's current infrastructure expectations, we can already see which nations could realistically take it on.

Modern World Cups need at least 12 large stadiums (each seating 40,000+), solid transport networks, plenty of accommodation, and the organisational muscle to manage a month-long global event. While many countries may express interest, only a handful have the scale and facilities to deliver.

Here are several countries and joint bids that could host the 2038 World Cup, along with what works in their favour and what doesn't.

 

Greece and Turkey (joint bid)

A joint bid between Greece and Turkey would be politically and culturally significant. Together, they could meet FIFA's stadium requirements. Greece brings venues like the Athens Olympic Stadium, Crete Stadium, and New Panathinaikos Stadium. Turkey adds depth with large stadiums in Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa, many already exceeding 40,000 capacity.

Both countries have solid tourism infrastructure, major international airports, and passionate football cultures. Travel distances are manageable, and Istanbul offers a ready-made hub for tournament operations.

Using sport to bring together two nations with a long history of political tension would send a powerful message. However, sustained political coordination and security alignment would be essential.

 

China

China is one of the few countries that could host a World Cup solo. Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Wuhan already have stadiums that meet FIFA's requirements or could easily deliver them.

China hosted the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, proving it can handle complex international tournaments with large audiences. For FIFA, China offers huge commercial potential, from broadcast reach to sponsorship growth.

Concerns would remain around sustainability, long-term stadium use, and public perception.

 

Switzerland and Austria (joint bid)

Austria and Switzerland have modern stadiums, but capacity is their main challenge. Currently, only one stadium across both countries exceeds 40,000 spectators, so a World Cup bid would need major expansions and new builds.

Venues in Vienna, Basel, Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Salzburg, and Graz would form the core, supported by excellent rail links and compact geography. The limitations are cost and planning complexity, as upgrading multiple stadiums requires significant investment.

 

Egypt

Egypt represents a solid African hosting option, particularly as the men's FIFA World Cup hasn't been held on the continent since 2010 in South Africa. A return to Africa would fit well with the growing global interest in African football.

Egypt already has several large stadiums, including Cairo International and Borg El Arab, with room for further development in other major cities. The country offers a deep football culture and relatively short travel distances between host cities. However, stadium consistency, transport infrastructure, and crowd management would need targeted investment.

 

Australia and New Zealand (joint bid)

Australia and New Zealand are credible joint hosts, having successfully hosted the 2022 FIFA Women's World Cup. That tournament showed both countries can manage logistics, travel, security, and fan experience across multiple cities.

Australia provides most of the large stadiums, with venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide meeting FIFA's capacity requirements. New Zealand contributes a solid supporting infrastructure and additional host cities. Both countries offer modern transport networks, political stability, and high standards of event delivery.

The main limitation is geography. Long travel distances, particularly between the two countries, need careful scheduling. But this challenge is balanced by proven operational competence and regular stadium use for domestic sport.