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Since attempting to put the World Cup up for sale two weeks ago, FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, have faced intense criticism, with the latest blow coming from the U.S. Soccer Federation itself.
"U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand united, alongside our global counterparts, in demanding meaningful reform that enhances FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability," the federation stated on Monday, shortly after Concacaf released an open letter addressed to FIFA.
While both Concacaf and U.S. Soccer have pushed for structural reform at FIFA, neither has gone as far as UEFA, whose 55 member associations have pledged to boycott FIFA-sanctioned events until Infantino guarantees he will never again attempt to sell shares of soccer's most coveted tournament to private investors.
Nonetheless, the U.S. men's national team may experience some ripple effects stemming from FIFA's turbulent situation.
The Prospect of Altered Competitions
The USMNT's autumn schedule is confirmed and unlikely to be disrupted, with the Americans slated to play four international friendlies in September and October against various opponents. The team will kick off with a match against Peru on Sept. 26 in Orlando, before heading to St. Louis to face Chile three days later. The Stars and Stripes will wrap up the window with fixtures against North American neighbors Mexico and Canada during the first week of October in Glendale, Ariz. and St. Paul, Minn., respectively.
While their autumn calendar will remain intact, the Americans could face major scheduling disruptions further down the line should UEFA's boycott somehow persist. Most notably, two European nations—Portugal and Spain—are set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Morocco. The tournament would look drastically different without Europe's participation, particularly given that European sides have claimed eight of the last 12 men's World Cup titles, going back to 1982.
Furthermore, a UEFA-led coalition is reportedly exploring the possibility of creating non-FIFA-sanctioned tournaments to rival those of soccer's governing body. It is not entirely out of the question that a Concacaf nation like the U.S. might opt to participate in a new UEFA-led competition, especially given that the two confederations have largely aligned in their criticism of FIFA's conduct recently. As a result, the USMNT could face an entirely revamped schedule in the years ahead, should FIFA fail to meet the governance standards that Concacaf is demanding.
Hosting Privileges for the 2038 World Cup in Question
Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a desire to host the tournament again "immediately" and this time, "leaving Canada and Mexico out."
The 2030 edition will largely be divided across southwestern Europe and northern Africa, while the 2034 tournament will be held entirely in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. will next be eligible to submit a bid for the 2038 edition, though bids from Oceania will also be in contention.
"I think it's a great idea," Trump said last month. "Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately.
Although the White House has taken a firm stance in backing Infantino and FIFA, U.S. Soccer clearly has not. This disconnect could affect the federation's bid to host the FIFA-sanctioned event once more, a process that FIFA typically initiates roughly 10 years before the tournament begins.