'You should choose US again': Trump pitches to host FIFA World Cup again, but this time without Mexico & Canada

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is so pleased with the FIFA World Cup that he wants his country to host another one, but this time without Canada and Mexico. The remarks from the American leader came during the FIFA World Cup reception, which was held ahead of Sunday’s final match between Spain and Argentina.

While addressing the gathering, Trump urged the federation to return the world's premier sporting event to the United States. “You should choose the United States of America again,” the president said at the reception in New York’s Trump Tower. “This time we will leave Canada and Mexico out."

Trump went on to say that FIFA should “pick somebody else for the next one and that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.” It is pertinent to note that the next men’s World Cup available for bidding is the 2038 tournament.

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What about 2030 and 2034?

FIFA has already awarded the 2030 World Cup to six nations, including Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is chosen to host the 2034 World Cup. In his address, Trump also revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had suggested having the US and China host a World Cup together, quipping that the players would “have a nice short flight in between games.”

The World Cup bidding process usually starts years in advance, and the competition to host in 2038 could be intense — even with Trump’s apparent attempt at lobbying FIFA. The president has not shied away from inserting himself into the inner workings of the World Cup.

During the president’s remarks, he acknowledged calling Infantino to ask for a review after US striker Folarin Balogun received a red card in the US victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina — a decision that would have carried an automatic one-match suspension.

However, FIFA later suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium — a highly unusual move that sparked worldwide criticism. “You made another great decision,” Trump said, as the FIFA chief stood next to him. “You’ll never get credit for that," he exclaimed.