With the countdown to the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup ticking away—just nine months to go—the soccer world is buzzing with anticipation. The 2026 tournament promises to be the biggest yet, boasting a record 48 teams, 104 matches, three host countries, and 16 dynamic cities. As preparations ramp up across North America, discussions are already swirling about the next chapter in the world’s most-watched sporting event—and surprisingly, the United States could find itself hosting again as soon as 2038.
How is that possible, you ask? It all comes down to FIFA’s regional rotation model. Though the official policy was discontinued after South Africa’s landmark tournament in 2010, the spirit of rotation lives on. In practice, FIFA has maintained a pattern: skipping at least two editions before returning the World Cup to the same region. For example, after Russia hosted in 2018, Europe gets another turn in 2030. The 2030 edition is unique, shared by three confederations—UEFA (Portugal and Spain), CAF (Morocco), and Conmebol (Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, each staging an opening match to honor the tournament’s centenary).
With the 2034 World Cup already awarded to Saudi Arabia (AFC), the door swings open for 2038. Only Oceania (OFC) and Concacaf (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean) will be eligible under the unwritten rules. That means the United States could potentially step back into the global spotlight just 12 years after co-hosting in 2026—a move that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago.
But wait, there’s more. The latest buzz around FIFA circles, first floated by The Athletic after the May 2025 FIFA Congress in Asunción, Paraguay, is about a possible Pacific partnership. Picture this: a World Cup spanning the vast Pacific, with the United States teaming up with New Zealand. It’s a bold vision, connecting continents and cultures, and it just might solve the logistical puzzle of hosting 104 matches across such a sprawling format. The plan even hints at matches in Fiji and Hawaii, leveraging a “Pacific corridor” to bridge the nearly 6,000-mile gap between the primary hosts.
Why New Zealand? The Kiwis have proven their mettle as hosts, having staged the 2015 Under-20 World Cup and, more recently, the 2023 Women’s World Cup alongside Australia. The United States, of course, brings decades of major-event experience to the table, from the 1994 World Cup to countless Super Bowls and Olympics. Together, the two nations could offer the infrastructure, fan engagement, and global reach that FIFA craves for its ever-expanding tournament.
The Pacific partnership is just one of several scenarios on the table. There’s talk of the United States hosting solo, as it did to great acclaim in 1994. Others suggest a repeat of the 2026 tri-nation format, or even expanding the Concacaf regional tournament beyond the familiar trio of Mexico, the US, and Canada. With 13 years to go and no official bidding process or timeline yet published by FIFA, all options remain speculative—though the clock is already ticking for would-be hosts to start laying the groundwork.
The stakes are high, and the possibilities are tantalizing. For now, though, attention remains firmly fixed on the approaching 2026 World Cup. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are deep into preparations, eager to showcase the best of North American hospitality and sporting passion. And with the expanded format, teams like Paraguay, Uruguay, and Australia—both of whom have already qualified—are gearing up for a shot at global glory.
Speaking of Australia, the US men’s national team recently notched a 2-1 friendly win over the Socceroos at Colorado Rapids’ stadium. But the victory came at a cost: star winger Christian Pulisic suffered a low-grade tear in his right hamstring during the first half, a setback confirmed by AC Milan on October 17, 2025. "An MRI scan performed today revealed a low-grade tear in his right hamstring," Milan stated, adding that Pulisic "will be reevaluated in approximately 10 days." These injuries can heal in as few as three weeks, and all eyes are on the city derby against Inter Milan, scheduled for November 23, as a potential return date for the American standout.
Pulisic’s injury is a blow not just for Milan, who currently sit third in Serie A, but for the US national team as well. The Americans have two more friendlies lined up in November—against Paraguay on the 15th and Uruguay on the 18th, both teams also set to appear in the historic 48-team World Cup. While these matches are crucial for fine-tuning the squad, the real focus is on keeping key players healthy for the main event next summer.
Looking ahead, the US team’s next competitive fixture is the much-anticipated World Cup opener on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles. The opponent remains a mystery until the finals tournament draw, scheduled for December 5, 2025, in Washington DC. With the expanded field and so many nations hungry for success, the draw promises to be one of the most closely watched in recent memory.
For Pulisic, the road to recovery is underway. "He will be reevaluated in approximately 10 days," Milan reiterated, offering hope that the injury won’t derail his club or international ambitions. Should his rehab go smoothly, he could be back in time for the high-stakes Milan derby and ready to lead the US into the summer’s biggest sporting spectacle.
Meanwhile, fans and pundits alike are already speculating about the long-term future of the World Cup. Will FIFA stick with its informal rotation, making the US and New Zealand co-hosts in 2038? Could we see a Pacific-spanning tournament, or will the US go it alone once more? With so many moving parts and no official word from FIFA, the only certainty is that the race to host the world’s game is heating up—and North America is right at the center of it all.
As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, every friendly, every injury update, and every rumor about future hosts adds another layer of intrigue. Soccer’s global journey continues, with new chapters waiting to be written on both sides of the Pacific. For now, fans can savor the excitement of what’s to come—and dream about where the beautiful game will take them next.
