Germany is positioning itself as a serious candidate to host a future FIFA World Cup, according to Axel Hellmann, a member of the German Football Association (DFB) management board. The Bundesliga executive revealed that the DFB is actively exploring the potential to stage the tournament in either 2038 or 2042. Hellmann told The Athletic that Germany has the stadiums, transport networks, hotels, and training facilities needed to host another World Cup after successfully staging the competition in 2006.
He noted that there is an initiative by DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and the DFB to run for 2042, or potentially 2038, though he acknowledged it depends on FIFA regulations.
While the DFB has indicated it would consider a future bid, FIFA’s official bidding processes for the 2038 and 2042 tournaments have not yet opened. A 2038 bid could face complications due to FIFA’s confederation rotation rules. The 2030 World Cup will be held across Africa, Europe, and South America, involving Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
This effectively handed the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia, representing the Asian Football Confederation, leaving the door open for North America and Oceania in 2038.
The United States is currently viewed as a leading contender after hosting the 2026 tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. However, Hellmann believes FIFA could show flexibility given the unique circumstances of the 2030 edition.
Hellmann remains confident that Germany’s infrastructure would ensure every game is sold out and that the event would be a success. He noted that while some stadiums would likely need modernization, a World Cup could trigger a major investment program similar to the one that followed the 2006 tournament, which he described as one of the country’s greatest global marketing campaigns that changed international perceptions of the nation.
While Neuendorf would ultimately lead a successful bid, Hellmann believes it is important for Germany to show ambition.
Hellmann also raised concerns about FIFA’s ticket pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup, warning that expensive tickets could damage football’s connection with ordinary supporters. He stated that football is the sport of the people and belongs to them to a certain extent. He believes future World Cups should prioritise accessibility, arguing that affordable tickets and safe-standing areas are crucial to ensuring younger generations experience live football.
He expressed fear regarding the potential repetition of the 2026 pricing model and urged for a discussion about future price policy.
The broader football landscape continues to reflect on these issues, with MLS All-Stars reflecting on World Cup impact and what comes next. Other notable football events include a story of a player who helped a pick-up stuck in mud and met Dibu Martínez, as well as Okan Buruk defending Leroy Sane and rejecting the World Cup scapegoat tag. Additionally, IFAB clarification suggests Breel Embolo should not have been sent off against Argentina in a World Cup quarter-final.
Other ongoing discussions include predicting which clubs the summer's biggest free agents will sign for, and the Premier League issuing a statement explaining why Tottenham were not awarded a penalty against Leeds, denying a big moment for Spurs midfielder James Maddison on his return from injury.
