The move to a 48-team tournament has made multi-country hosting increasingly important. The 2026 World Cup will already span the United States, Canada and Mexico, while 2030 is set to involve hosts across Europe, Africa and South America.
That wider rotation could leave room for a proposal combining Oceania with Concacaf. A New Zealand-led plan would offer geographical variety while giving the region a stronger case than any single country could make.
The question, however, is whether an ambitious map can become a practical tournament.
A report says New Zealand could potentially stage a group and selected knockout matches, but its existing stadium infrastructure would require careful scrutiny. Capacity standards, broadcast facilities, training grounds and transport links would all face demanding tests.
Fiji has reportedly considered a new stadium as part of a longer-term football strategy, while Hawaii could become a key American stop if redevelopment plans progress. A US base concentrated on the West Coast would also be central to limiting the strain on teams and supporters.
Yet even with that structure, the distances would be vast. The bid would need to accept an unusually dispersed event without compromising preparation, recovery or the supporter experience.
For New Zealand, the proposal is about more than hosting matches. It would represent a push for Oceania to become a meaningful part of the World Cup’s future rather than an occasional beneficiary of expanded qualification.
The next step is likely to be feasibility: stadium plans, government backing and a formal response from . Until then, the trans-Pacific concept remains an intriguing possibility - and a test of how far football’s biggest tournament is willing to stretch.