DFB Considers Bidding for 2038 or 2042 World Cup and Holds Talks with DFL

Planned Stadiums and Capacities

According to initial plans, the concept foresees 14 venues with a minimum capacity of 40,000 seats. Candidate cities mentioned include Berlin, Dortmund, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Bremen, Kaiserslautern, Mönchengladbach, and Hanover. This would mean the tournament would be organized in a similarly decentralized manner as the 2024 home European Championship, but on a significantly larger scale.

The bid would not be Germany's first. The DFB has already hosted a World Cup in 1974 and 2006. In 1974, the team led by captain Franz Beckenbauer won the title in the Munich final. In 2006, the squad under coach Jürgen Klinsmann finished third behind world champions Italy and France. 32 teams participated in that tournament.

Looking at the World Cup Calendar

A look at the international tournament calendar shows that the next World Cup hosts have already been decided. The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and is the first tournament with 48 participating nations and three different hosts. In 2030, a trio will host the finals as scheduled: Spain, Morocco, and Portugal are the main hosts.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, one match each will also take place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in 2030. In 2034, Saudi Arabia will follow as the sole host after being awarded the bid by FIFA. This would make 2038 the next available World Cup cycle in which a German bid could become realistic.

Role of the DFL and Open Questions

The DFB states that it is closely monitoring international developments and examining the conditions under which a candidacy would be sensible. Officially, the association refers to the ongoing exchange with the DFL. The league, which represents the professional leagues and their economic framework in Germany, would be particularly challenged in the event of a home World Cup, for example, with regard to match schedules, security concepts, and stadium requirements.

In addition to sporting and organizational issues, economic considerations play a role. A home World Cup would require significant investments in infrastructure, security, and logistics, but would also be expected to generate revenue through ticket sales, tourism, and sponsorship. FIFA also has its own requirements for bidders, which go beyond stadium capacities and include transport, accommodation, and training facilities.

Numerous consultations will likely be necessary before a possible decision can be made. The DFB would have to reach an agreement with the DFL, the regional associations, municipalities, and politicians before an official bid could be submitted to FIFA. Until then, DFB circles emphasize, everything remains open.

With these considerations, the DFB is building on its tradition as a host of major tournaments. In 1974 and 2006, the home World Cups were among the most defining sporting events in German post-war history. Whether another one will be added in 2038 or 2042 is not yet foreseeable.