Germany is preparing the groundwork for a future FIFA World Cup bid, with the German Football Association exploring the possibility of hosting either the 2038 or 2042 tournament.
DFB management board member Axel Hellmann believes the country already has the key infrastructure required to stage another World Cup after successfully hosting the competition in 2006, although the official bidding process for both tournaments has not yet begun.
Germany World Cup bid backed by DFB
Hellmann revealed that DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and the German Football Association are leading an initiative to bid for either the 2038 or 2042 FIFA World Cup.
He explained that the timing of any bid will depend on FIFA regulations, while noting that the DFB has previously indicated it would consider submitting a future World Cup proposal.
According to Hellmann, Germany possesses the stadiums, transport systems, hotels, and training facilities necessary to organise another successful global tournament.
FIFA World Cup hosting rules could shape the bid
A German bid for the 2038 World Cup could be influenced by FIFA's confederation rotation system.
The 2030 World Cup will be staged across Africa, Europe, and South America, involving Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. That allocation effectively handed the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia as the representative of the Asian Football Confederation, leaving North America and Oceania as potential hosts for 2038.
Despite those circumstances, Hellmann believes FIFA could show flexibility because of the unique format of the 2030 competition.
Germany highlights infrastructure and 2006 World Cup legacy
Hellmann expressed confidence that Germany would deliver another successful World Cup, saying every match would be sold out thanks to the country's existing infrastructure.
He acknowledged that some stadiums would likely require modernisation but believes hosting the tournament could stimulate a new wave of investment similar to the improvements made before the 2006 World Cup.
The DFB official also described the 2006 tournament as one of Germany's greatest international marketing campaigns, saying it helped transform the country's image around the world. He added that Neuendorf would lead any future bid, while stressing the importance of Germany showing ambition.
FIFA ticket pricing raises accessibility concerns
Alongside discussing Germany's hosting ambitions, Hellmann voiced concerns about FIFA's ticket pricing strategy during the 2026 World Cup.
He argued that football should remain accessible to supporters and warned that expensive tickets could weaken the game's connection with ordinary fans.
Hellmann also said future World Cups should prioritise affordable admission prices and safe-standing areas to ensure younger generations continue to experience live football, adding that discussions about future ticket pricing policies should begin now.