Trump then said FIFA should “pick somebody else for the next one and that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.”
The next men’s World Cup available for bidding is the 2038 tournament.
FIFA has awarded the 2030 World Cup to a six-country hosting arrangement that includes Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the tournament. Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host in 2034.
Trump also revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had suggested having the U.S. and China host a World Cup together, quipping that the players would “have a nice short flight in between games.”
The World Cup bidding process starts years in advance — and the competition to host in 2038 could be intense — even with Trump’s apparent attempt at lobbying FIFA. Regions that have hosted more recently must sit out, but countries from North America and Oceania will all be eligible to bid that year.
The president has not shied away from inserting himself into World Cup storylines. During the president’s remarks, he acknowledged calling Infantino to ask for a review after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received a red card in the U.S. victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina — a decision that would have carried an automatic one-match suspension. FIFA later suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium — a highly unusual move that sparked worldwide criticism.
At the Trump Tower reception, the president praised Infantino for his involvement in the incident.
“You made another great decision,” Trump said, as the FIFA chief stood next to him. “You’ll never get credit for that.”