Barely weeks after Chelsea thumped Paris Saint‑Germain 3–0 to claim the inaugural 32‑team Club World Cup, FIFA is plotting another shake‑up. The organisation is considering staging the tournament every two years from 2029 and expanding it to 48 teams.
The proposal, championed by Real Madrid and supported by a cadre of elite clubs who missed out on the 2025 edition, would also scrap the two‑club‑per‑nation limit. That prospect excites those eyeing bigger revenue streams yet alarms leagues and players who fear an already packed calendar will burst.
Business motives behind the plan
For FIFA, the 2025 tournament was a financial triumph. Chelsea banked around £85 million in prize money funded by Saudi Arabia’s Surj Sports Investment, and Real Madrid reportedly earned a similar amount despite failing to qualify for the final.
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Sensing a goldmine, Madrid’s president Florentino Pérez raised the idea of a biennial competition in June, backed by Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool and Napoli. Under the current international match calendar, there is no room for a 2027 Club World Cup, so FIFA’s next edition is pencilled in for 2029, with a possible follow‑up in 2031.
An expanded field is also on the table. Big European clubs complained that UEFA had only 12 slots in 2025, leaving Arsenal, Milan and others at home.
General secretary Mattias Grafström said “all options are open” for 2029, and FIFA is poised to remove the two‑club caps. Aligning the competition with the 48‑team men’s 2026 World Cup and the 2031 Women’s World Cup reinforces the expansion case.
Mounting opposition
A biennial tournament would, however, pit FIFA against the domestic game it claims to nurture. World Leagues and the players’ union Fifpro have lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that FIFA scheduled the Club World Cup without proper consultation, they argue that adding another major event will overload players and compress league calendars.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters echoed those concerns, insisting that FIFA was created to run international football rather than club competitions and that domestic leagues need a seat at the table. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is also sceptical; sources say FIFA may offer to remove June’s international window, but UEFA uses that slot for Nations League finals and is unlikely to concede it.
The European Commission has yet to decide whether to investigate the legal complaint, but the row underlines tensions between financial ambition and sporting sustainability.
Lessons from 2025 and the battle to host 2029
The 2025 Club World Cup offered a glimpse of what could be gained and lost. Nine U.S. venues sold out as Chelsea, who qualified via a 2021 Champions League win, swept past the star‑studded PSG.
Yet even the £125.8 million pot on offer is smaller than the returns from a Champions League campaign, fuelling calls for more slots and more frequent opportunities. That appetite extends to bidding.
Qatar, Spain and Morocco are lobbying to host the 2029 edition, while Brazil has formally submitted a candidacy. After meeting Gianni Infantino, Brazilian federation president Samir Xaud said the FIFA chief described the proposal as “totally possible”.
The United States may bid again, ensuring a fierce contest for hosting rights.
Amit Mishra’s Thoughts
As a writer and football fan, following these changes feels like watching a chess game on a busy field. More shine and money sound great, but there is also a chance of getting too tired.
In the next few months, FIFA needs to show that its ideas can make the world of football better and keep a good balance between club and international games.
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FAQS
- Which teams have already qualified for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup?
Cruz Azul, Paris Saint-Germain, Al-Ahli, and Pyramids FC are already in. - How do teams qualify for the tournament?
By winning continental championships between 2025–2028. Some extra spots go to top-ranked clubs in Europe and South America. - How many teams will play in 2029?
32 teams in total, with slots divided across all continents. - When and where will it be held?
Planned for June–July 2029. Countries like Brazil, Qatar, Spain, the U.S., and Morocco are interested in hosting. - Why is the Club World Cup expanding?
To give more clubs a chance to compete globally and boost revenue, though some worry it will overload players.
