Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Has Fans Laughing With ‘120’ Joke About 2038 World Cup

Arthur Blank, owner of NFL team the Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC, joked about his age while asked whether the USA would host the 2038 FIFA World Cup.

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Has Fans Laughing With ‘120’ Joke About 2038 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Arthur Blank inside the circle (Image via Sky Sports/X)

Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC owner Arthur Blank gave an honest answer to whether the USA would host the 2038 FIFA World Cup. Blank cracked a joke about his age.

On Wednesday, 92.9 The Game host Mike Conti asked Blank whether he knew anything about the soccer World Cup returning to US soil in 2038. Without much hesitation, Blank quickly reminded Conti that he’s no longer 60 years old.

I haven’t heard anything officially, but I’d love to be part of that. I’ll be 120 by then.

Arthur Blank replied with a straight face

Blank will turn 84 in September when the Falcons kick off their 2026 campaign under new head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Blank’s company, AMB Sports and Entertainment Group, purchased the Falcons in 2002 from previous owner Taylor Smith, the son of team founder Rankin M. Smith Sr. The Falcons played their home NFL games at the Georgia Dome until 2016. A year later, they moved to the newly built Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons have never won the Super Bowl in two previous attempts, with the latest one coming back in the 2016-17 season—the infamous 28-3 choke job. That was the last time the Falcons had enjoyed postseason football. They are on an eight-year dry spell.

In 2008, Blank’s company submitted a bid to bring Major League Soccer to Atlanta. However, it took nearly a decade for the club to become operational and join the MLS. The club was named Atlanta United FC. The club played its initial games at Bobby Dodd Stadium before choosing Mercedes-Benz Stadium as its home.

Atlanta United won its maiden MLS Cup in 2018 with a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers. They haven’t qualified for the final ever since.

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How many FIFA World Cup 2026 games did Atlanta host?

As decided, FIFA expanded to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup. They picked the USA, Mexico, and Canada as host nations.

Falcons Owner Jokes About FIFA Expanding World Cup to 120 Teams Next Decade
Arthur Blank (Image via ESPN)

Several major cities were given the chance to host games, including Atlanta. The Atlanta Stadium (name changed according to FIFA rules) hosted five group stage games, two knockout games, and the second semi-final. The Spanish national team used the Atlanta Stadium as its home base.

Group Stage Games

  • June 15, 2026 (12:00 PM ET): Spain vs. Cabo Verde (0-0)
  • June 18, 2026 (12:00 PM ET): Czechia vs. South Africa (1-1)
  • June 21, 2026 (12:00 PM ET): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (4-0)
  • June 24, 2026 (6:00 PM ET): Morocco vs. Haiti (4-2)
  • June 27, 2026 (7:30 PM ET): Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan (3-1)

Knockout Stage Matches

  • July 1, 2026 (12:00 PM ET): Round of 32 — England vs. Congo DR (2-1)
  • July 7, 2026 (12:00 PM ET): Round of 16 — Argentina vs. Egypt (3-2)
  • July 15, 2026 (3:00 PM ET): Semifinal — England vs. Argentina (1-2)

Argentina defeated England in the semi-final at Atlanta Stadium

Spain defeated France in the first semi-final game. Argentina defeated England in the second semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta.

It took England ten minutes into the second half to break the deadlock. Winger Anthony Gordon, who signed with Barcelona before the WC, gave the Three Lions the lead.

However, two quick-fire goals—seven minutes apart—from Enzo Fernández and a header from Lautaro Martínez sealed a 2-1 comeback victory for the defending world champions, Argentina.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will be played at New York/New Jersey Stadium. This will be their first-ever meeting at the World Cup.

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