Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly exploring the possibility of a British bid to host the men’s FIFA World Cup, potentially in 2038 or 2042. The idea would represent an ambitious attempt to bring football’s biggest tournament back to Britain more than seven decades after England hosted the competition in 1966. Although no formal bid has yet been launched, Burnham has reportedly been discussing the possibility with the Football Association and the Premier League.
The proposal is significant because the World Cup remains one of the world’s largest sporting events. Hosting it would bring millions of international visitors, generate enormous global attention, and potentially create opportunities for investment in stadiums, transport, accommodation, and local communities. For Burnham, however, the ambition appears to go beyond football. He reportedly sees major sporting events as a way to encourage economic growth and spread investment beyond London.
England has hosted the men’s World Cup only once, in 1966. That tournament remains one of the most famous moments in English sporting history, when England defeated West Germany 4–2 after extra time in the final at Wembley. Since then, British football fans have had to watch the tournament take place in other countries, despite the UK’s extensive football tradition and its large number of modern stadiums.
A successful bid could therefore have enormous symbolic value. Britain is widely regarded as one of the homes of modern football, and hosting the tournament again could be presented as a celebration of that history. It could also give a new generation of supporters the opportunity to experience World Cup matches on home soil rather than watching them on television.
One of the most interesting aspects of Burnham’s proposal is its potential UK-wide character. Reports indicate that the idea could involve England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland rather than concentrating the tournament in England alone. Such an approach would allow stadiums and cities across the country to benefit from the event and would fit with Burnham’s wider political emphasis on strengthening the regions.
The economic argument is likely to be central to any future bid. Major sporting tournaments can attract tourists who spend money on hotels, restaurants, transport, entertainment, and other services. Host cities can also receive investment in infrastructure and public spaces. If the benefits are distributed effectively, a World Cup could provide a significant boost to regional economies.
For Burnham, this regional dimension appears particularly important. Before becoming prime minister, he spent years as mayor of Greater Manchester and frequently argued for greater investment outside London. His current plans for major sporting events appear to follow a similar philosophy: using international competitions to encourage regeneration and create opportunities across different parts of Britain.
However, hosting a World Cup would also involve substantial costs. Governments and football authorities would have to demonstrate that the financial benefits justify the expense of staging such a huge event. Even countries with existing stadiums and transport networks may need to invest heavily in security, accommodation, public transport, infrastructure, and event organisation.
Britain does have considerable experience in hosting major sporting competitions. The UK and Ireland are scheduled to co-host the UEFA European Championship in 2028, while a UK-wide bid has already been submitted to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The government says the women’s tournament would bring economic and social benefits to communities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
These events could provide valuable experience for a future men’s World Cup bid. They would allow organisers to demonstrate that Britain can manage large international tournaments involving multiple cities and national football associations. Successful delivery could strengthen the credibility of a future application to FIFA.
Nevertheless, the competition to host a World Cup would be intense. Countries around the world are likely to be interested in hosting future editions, and FIFA’s hosting decisions involve political, geographical, commercial, and sporting considerations. A British bid would therefore need to offer a compelling reason for FIFA to select it.
The timing of a possible bid is another important consideration. The 2030 World Cup has already been awarded to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with centenary matches taking place in South America. Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2034 tournament. This means the later editions, including 2038 and 2042, could provide opportunities for European countries depending on FIFA’s future hosting rules.
Burnham’s proposal is also connected to a broader ambition for Britain to host major sporting events. Reports suggest he is supporting efforts to explore a bid for the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games across northern England. The objective is similar: attract international visitors, improve infrastructure, and encourage investment outside London.
There are obvious advantages to such a strategy. Major sporting events can inspire young people to participate in sport and create a sense of national excitement. Football in particular has enormous cultural influence in Britain. A successful World Cup could encourage investment in grassroots facilities and provide opportunities for children and young people to become more involved in the game.
However, the government would need to ensure that any sporting legacy is real rather than simply a short-term political promise. Stadiums and infrastructure can be expensive to maintain after tournaments end. Investment should therefore focus on projects that communities will continue to use long after the final match has been played.
There is also a question of whether Britain should prioritise sporting events at a time when governments face pressure over public services and household finances. Critics could argue that billions of pounds should be directed towards housing, healthcare, education, transport, and other essential needs rather than an international football tournament.
Supporters would respond that hosting the World Cup could itself generate economic activity and attract private investment. The key issue would therefore be whether a future bid is based on realistic financial calculations rather than enthusiasm alone.
Burnham’s personal passion for football may also help explain his interest. He has frequently spoken about his love of the sport, and his previous role as Greater Manchester mayor gave him extensive experience of using major sporting occasions to promote the region. His interest in bringing the World Cup back to Britain therefore fits naturally with his political and personal interests.
The proposal also comes at an interesting moment for English football. England has recently enjoyed strong performances on the international stage, increasing public enthusiasm for the national team. Hosting a future World Cup could build on that excitement and potentially create another defining moment in the country’s football history.
Nevertheless, there is a long road between discussing a bid and actually winning the right to host the tournament. The Football Association, the Premier League, the UK government, the devolved administrations, local authorities, and potential host cities would all need to cooperate. FIFA would ultimately have to assess the proposal against competing bids and its own requirements.
For now, the most important point is that no formal 2038 or 2042 bid has been submitted. Reports indicate that Burnham is exploring the possibility and speaking to football authorities about how such a campaign might work.
If the idea eventually becomes a formal campaign, Britain would have a strong case based on its football heritage, existing stadiums, transport infrastructure, international reputation, and experience hosting major sporting events. But it would also need to demonstrate that the tournament could provide lasting benefits without placing an unreasonable burden on taxpayers.
Ultimately, Burnham’s World Cup ambition represents more than a desire to see football “come home”. It reflects a broader vision of using international sport to stimulate tourism, investment, regeneration, and regional development. Whether Britain ultimately hosts the men’s World Cup again remains uncertain, but the proposal has already reopened a fascinating question: could the world’s biggest football tournament return to the country where the modern game began?
If the plan moves forward, its success will depend not simply on Britain’s love of football but on whether the government can demonstrate a credible, financially responsible, and genuinely UK-wide vision. For millions of supporters, however, the prospect of another World Cup on British soil would undoubtedly be an exciting one.