FIFA Expands Club World Cup, Adds Women’s Competition

FIFA is revamping its Club World Cup — and making a big addition.

Soccer’s global governing body announced on Friday that the 2025 Club World Cup will expand to 32 teams and take place every four years. Currently, only continental champions from each of the six confederations in world soccer and the host nation’s domestic champion compete.

• The 2025 edition could boost FIFA’s revenue to more than $11 billion during the corresponding commercial cycle.
• “All the details will be developed in due course,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “We will decide where it will take place in the next weeks.”
• FIFA will also launch friendly tournaments called the FIFA World Series.

Morocco, which organized the Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014 — and made an impressive run to the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup — will host the 2022 competition in February. The tournament is usually held in December but was delayed due to the conflicting Qatar tournament.

The 2030 World Cup host will be decided in 2024.

Women’s Wins

FIFA is also working on more opportunities for women.

The body announced plans to introduce the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and establish the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup. The current international match calendar will remain unchanged until 2025.

The 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup hosts will be chosen in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

FIFA also endorsed expanding the women’s tournament at the Olympics from 12 to 16 teams.