Germany plans to host the 2038 World Cup and has ambitions to form a joint bid with France.
The DFB has confirmed its desire to bring the biggest football event on the planet back to Germany in 2038 or 2042, while leaving open the possibility of a joint hosting partnership with France.
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially announced its ambition to bring the World Cup back to Germany in 2042, while also leaving open the possibility of bidding for the hosting rights earlier, in 2038, through a strategic partnership with France.
The ambition is to bring the biggest football festival on the planet back to Germany.
In an interview with Foot Mercato, Axel Hellmann, a member of the DFB board, confirmed Germany's determination to bid for the right to host this prestigious tournament. This decision has received strong support from DFB President Bernd Neuendorf.
According to Axel Hellmann, the DFB has had strategic discussions and is ready to submit the formal application."We are truly committed to this goal. President Bernd Neuendorf and the DFB have initiated a bid to host the 2042 World Cup, and possibly even 2038. However, this will depend on the framework regulations from FIFA.", Mr. Hellmann emphasized.
The obstacle stems from FIFA's venue rotation principle.
Despite the DFB's strong determination, the path to bringing the 2038 World Cup to Germany faces significant legal hurdles from FIFA. Under the current rotating hosting rules between continents, the chances for European nations in 2038 are relatively slim.
Specifically, FIFA has clearly outlined the organizational map for future World Cups:
- World Cup 2030:Co-hosted by three countries—Morocco, Spain, and Portugal—the event incorporated several commemorative matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
- World Cup 2034:Saudi Arabia has officially won the right to host the event.
Due to regulations prohibiting a continent from hosting two consecutive tournaments, North America or Oceania are currently considered the top priority candidates for the 2038 World Cup.
Expectations for a turning point from FIFA and cooperation with France.
To make the 2038 goal a reality, Germany is hoping that the World Football Federation will adjust or relax the rules for the continental rotation. If FIFA opens the way for a bid from Europe, Germany is ready to implement a joint venture with France to increase the weight of its bid.
The combination of two leading European football powerhouses not only boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure but also promises a World Cup that will be explosive both commercially and professionally. The final decision will depend on FIFA's next steps in establishing the hosting regulations for future tournaments.