Donald Trump is pressing FIFA to award the 2038 World Cup exclusively to the United States, a move that industry watchers say could give a jolt to prediction markets, fan tokens, and crypto sports platforms. The former president's pitch comes as the US is already set to co-host the 2026 tournament with Canada and Mexico — but he wants the next one all to itself.
Trump's solo bid
Trump has been publicly urging soccer's global governing body to skip the usual rotation and hand the 2038 event to the US alone. The timing is notable: the 2026 World Cup will be the first with matches across three North American countries, and Trump appears to be angling for a bigger slice of the action down the line. FIFA hasn't formally responded, but the proposal is already circulating in sports and crypto circles.
Crypto angle
If the US lands a solo World Cup, the speculation is that prediction markets — platforms like Polymarket where users bet on outcomes — could see a surge in activity around match results, goal totals, and even host-city logistics. Fan tokens, the digital assets tied to national teams or clubs, might also get a lift as global attention zeroes in on American stadiums. Crypto sports-betting platforms, which have been growing despite regulatory headwinds, could find themselves in the spotlight too.
None of this is guaranteed, of course. The 2038 tournament is still 12 years out, and FIFA's host-selection process is famously opaque. But the mere possibility of a US-only World Cup is enough to get the crypto sports sector talking.
FIFA's council would need to vote on any host change, and other bidders — likely including joint bids from South America or Asia — won't step aside quietly. For now, the crypto industry is watching to see if Trump's lobbying gains traction. A decision on 2038 isn't expected for years, but the conversation has already started.
