DFB Prepares Bid to Host FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2038 or 2042

The German Football Association (DFB) is actively preparing a bid to host the FIFA World Cup in either 2038 or 2042, marking the prospect of bringing football’s premier tournament back to Germany after two decades. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has outlined preliminary plans to the German Football League (DFL), emphasizing the requirement set by FIFA for 14 stadiums, each with at least 40,000 seats. Germany has around 16 stadiums meeting these criteria, with cities like Berlin, Leipzig, Hamburg, Munich, and potentially Kaiserslautern’s Fritz-Walter-Stadion — which notably hosted five matches during the 2006 World Cup — being considered as host venues.

The Bundesliga views the bid as a strategic opportunity to modernize stadium infrastructure and compete with the English Premier League for status and prestige. Support from the DFL presidency, including its head Hans-Joachim Watzke, has been positive. However, no final bid has been submitted yet, as the DFB’s current focus remains on the upcoming World Cup in North America in 2026.

After the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, the DFB plans to engage in more detailed discussions with FIFA and German government officials to secure political support and address requirements such as financial guarantees and tax exemptions that FIFA demands due to their significant revenues from hosting rights. Moreover, FIFA’s continental rotation policy suggests that Europe may not be eligible to host the World Cup again until 2042 because the 2030 and 2034 tournaments are set for Europe’s neighboring regions and Asia respectively.

The DFB’s intentions not only aim to restore Germany’s position on the world stage but also seek to spark renovations reminiscent of the 2006 World Cup preparations, which left a lasting legacy on the country’s football infrastructure. As such, the bid is viewed as an important long-term project that could boost German football’s standing internationally.