New Zealand are reportedly planning to join forces with United States to co-host the 2038 World Cup with the United States.
While it is a bold move that captures the imagination, bringing it to fruition will be tough. Read on as we analyse whether the idea is realistic or an ambitious long shot.
Geography Complicates Matters for New Zealand
New Zealand recently hosted the 2023 Women’s World Cup with Australia. The Kiwis know the importance of collaboration when hosting a tournament of this magnitude.
However, geography and FIFA policies complicate matters. NZ could team up with Australia again, but they are part of the Asian confederation which will host the 2034 edition in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA rules do not allow repeat hosting by the same confederation until at least two cycles pass, leaving Europe, Africa, South America and Asia locked out until at least 2038.
Only CONCACAF (North & Central America) and Oceania are viable options, potentially forcing FIFA to consider an unusual partnership between New Zealand and the US.
America is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside neighbours Canada and Mexico. They already have the sports infrastructure in place to host the tournament.
However, despite all the optimistic talk about the US sports market, ticket sales for the 2025 Club World Cup this summer have underperformed.
More Americans have started watching football and engaging with the sport, but not as quickly as the marketing materials claim.
New Zealand Has Big Dreams, But Modest Means
New Zealand cannot host the World Cup alone. Beyond a betting industry that can generate significant income, NZ does not have much going its way.
The top betting websites in New Zealand will be inundated with wagers from football fans during the tournament, leading to more tax revenue for the government.
However, they cannot bet on gambling revenue alone to help stage World Cup matches. Their current infrastructure will only allow them to host group games and some knockout ties.
NZ must make upgrades and improvements to pass FIFA checks, but the governing body will still need to be lenient as they prefer larger stadiums to host World Cup matches.
Despite the potential obstacles, the clamour for the World Cup to become more diverse keeps growing. FIFA has shown they willing to abandon the usual playbook.
Three countries will host the 2026 edition, and six will stage it across three continents four years later. This a radical move away from the one-host model.
Critics believe it is a disaster waiting to happen, while FIFA argue they are spreading the game. If they are serious about that mantra, they must let Oceania host the tournament for the first time.
FIFA has allowed looser interpretations of what a host really is, making a partnership between New Zealand and the US a realistic option.
New Zealand Must be Wary of Infantino’s Motives
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has recently been cosying up to United States president Donald Trump, leaving Canada and Mexico feeling sidelined.
The fact that the US has seemingly dominated FIFA’s internal politics through this alliance means that any joint bid with the Kiwis will likely be unbalanced.
This influence could work in two ways. It may help the New Zealand bid to ride into legitimacy on American wings or be drowned out amid loud allegations of favouritism.
The bid will need support from the two federations and FIFA council members across the globe, thus forcing New Zealand to rely on US clout.
The Kiwi government must start making serious plans to upgrade stadiums, facilities and transport if it wants to be a partial host of the 2038 World Cup.
They must pitch it in a way that does not favour America. It should be about a historic moment for Oceania – the only confederation that has not hosted a men’s World Cup. The optics matter.
New Zealand also need the public to buy into it. Organisers must ensure they are allowed to stage games that matter, not just second-rate cast-offs from the US.
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