“If not 2038, then 2042 at the latest”
Frankfurt boss wants to bring the World Cup to Germany
May 5, 2026 – 12:29 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Axel Hellmann is in favor of a World Cup in Germany. The Frankfurter sees the opportunity for many positive effects.
Germany has already hosted a men’s World Cup twice. If Axel Hellmann, CEO of Eintracht Frankfurt, has his way, a third tournament will follow in Germany after 1974 and 2006. The SGE boss spoke out in favor of this on Tuesday at the economic day of the CDU Economic Council.
Initially he looked positively at the Olympic applications at several German locations. “I am glad that this movement exists,” emphasized Hellmann. But then he switched to a pure football tournament. “What could really change the image in this country in the long term in terms of infrastructure, in terms of perception at home and abroad, as well as in terms of its symbolic and attractive power for young people: If we were to organize a football World Cup in Germany again.”
The Frankfurter already has a clear schedule in mind. “If not 2038, then 2042 at the latest,” he said. He referred to the great euphoria that prevailed in Germany around the tournament in 2006. “The perception abroad, new stadiums, economic growth. All these things that motivate and unite people behind an idea,” said Hellmann, listing the advantages of a home World Cup. “We can do great things in this country. Sport, a World Cup, symbolizes this across the board.”
FIFA has not yet opened the bidding process for the 2038 and 2042 World Cups. The tournaments by then have all already been taken: This summer the USA, Canada and Mexico are hosting the World Cup, and in 2030 there will be six hosts: Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. In 2034, Saudi Arabia will host the finals for the first time.
