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Khaled Mahmoud

World Cup coming home? England prepares potential bid to host 2038 or 2042

World Cup
England

England could finally be set to bring the World Cup back to British soil as plans emerge for a potential bid to host the tournament in 2038 or 2042. The ambitious project, reportedly backed by high-level political figures, aims to end a decades-long wait to stage the world's most prestigious football event.

  • The long wait for a home tournament

    According to The Sun, Great Britain is considering a bid to host either the 2038 or 2042 World Cup. Supported by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the proposal aims to bring football's flagship tournament back to British soil for the first time since 1966.

    With Burnham reportedly viewing a World Cup bid as a key driver for national investment, tourism, and urban regeneration, the tournament could finally return to British shores. His strategy focuses on distributing the economic and infrastructural benefits well beyond London to ensure a lasting legacy for the entire country.

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  • Euro 2020 final WembleyGetty

    Spreading the benefits across Britain

    A successful bid would likely see matches hosted across various cities and regions, drawing millions of international visitors and delivering a substantial boost to local economies. Beyond its global tourist appeal and well-established transport network, Britain already possesses the world-class stadium infrastructure needed to host a tournament of this scale.

    The UK has not hosted the men's World Cup since 1966, although England hosted Euro 1996 and Wembley Stadium staged the Euro 2020 final. Furthermore, the UK and Ireland are set to co-host Euro 2028. These major hosting duties underscore the nation's capacity to deliver elite international tournaments.

  • Navigating the FIFA hosting cycle

    The proposal follows England's impressive campaign at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Thomas Tuchel's side entered the tournament among the title favourites and reached the semi-finals before securing a third-place finish - capped by a dramatic 6-4 victory over France in the play-off.

    The 2030 World Cup will be hosted across Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with opening celebratory matches held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to mark the tournament's centenary. With Saudi Arabia set to host in 2034, the 2038 and 2042 editions represent the next open opportunities for European and international bids, subject to FIFA's rotation rules.

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  • World cup trophygetty

    A competitive road to 2038

    Any British proposal will inevitably spark strong competition from rival nations aiming to host the tournament. Even so, returning the World Cup to England - six decades after Sir Alf Ramsey's iconic 1966 victory over West Germany at Wembley - holds immense emotional appeal for fans who have waited generations to host the global showpiece once more.