The United States has moved forward with negotiations with FIFA, aiming to leverage the financial and sporting success of the World Cup by positioning itself as a potential host for the Club World Cup in 2029. At a time when FIFA has nearly doubled its sales record by reaching 6.5 million tickets sold for this World Cup and anticipates exceeding its revenue target of $11 billion, the prospect of hosting another major tournament on American soil is gaining momentum.
Sources confirm that U.S. officials and senior FIFA executives have already held discussions regarding the 2029 edition, although the U.S. has not yet formalized a bid due to a lack of details about the selection process. Uncertainty remains regarding the potential involvement of the White House or the World Cup task force led by Donald Trump, with only Andrew Giuliani, the head of that group, publicly praising the success of this summer's tournament. Giuliani stated on Wednesday: “Soccer is no longer a story of the future in the United States. It is happening now. There is immense demand to come to the United States to see the World Cup.”
FIFA maintains close relations with the U.S. government, as illustrated this week by the case of Folarin Balogun: Trump revealed he had asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to overturn the forward's expulsion during the U.S. victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 16. In an unprecedented outcome, FIFA's disciplinary committee lifted the one-match suspension of the 25-year-old player, allowing him to play in the U.S. defeat against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Despite speculation surrounding a possible U.S. bid, FIFA has yet to announce the schedule or selection format for the 2029 hosts, with a decision expected to be made next year, likely after the FIFA presidential elections in April. It is worth noting that the U.S. was named host of the expanded Club World Cup in 2025 without a public bidding process, in a unanimous decision by the FIFA Council in June 2023.
The general expectation was that the 2029 Club World Cup would be awarded to two of the hosts for the 2030 World Cup – namely Spain and Morocco – but bids have emerged from other continents. The Brazilian Football Confederation has expressed interest in hosting the event, as has Qatar, according to reports.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
FIFA has been pursuing an aggressive pricing strategy, evidenced by the revenue generated from the dynamic ticketing model tested at the last Club World Cup, which brought in $411 million from ticket and hospitality sales, even with fluctuations in demand. The expansion of the tournament to 48 teams in 2029, supported by major European clubs, is another factor that could favor a U.S. bid, making North America an increasingly attractive and profitable option for FIFA.
With the selection process still shrouded in uncertainty and several global powers in the running, FIFA is preparing to decide the fate of one of its most lucrative tournaments. The outcome of this competition could redefine the landscape of world football, with prestige, millions, and the influence of whoever hosts the world’s best clubs on the line in five years.
AGORA PODE ACOMPANHAR O MUNDIAL DE FUTEBOL COM TODA INFORMAÇÃO – AQUI
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