The curtain has fallen on the inaugural edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, with Chelsea securing the trophy after overcoming PSG in the final. While the immediate focus shifts to the impending senior World Cup in North America, attention is already beginning to drift towards the *next* chapter of the club game`s global showpiece: the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Potential Format Expansion on the Horizon?
As things stand today, FIFA`s public stance maintains the 32-team format introduced in 2025 for the 2029 tournament. However, this plan might not be set in stone. Reports suggest that significant pressure is being exerted by several prominent European clubs, who are reportedly urging FIFA`s leadership to push the boundaries further. Their proposal? An expansion to a 48-team format, mirroring the structure of the senior World Cup.
The logic behind this push is, perhaps unsurprisingly, rooted in economics and exposure. A larger tournament featuring more clubs is expected to generate heightened interest globally, attract more substantial commercial partnerships, and consequently, increase the prize money on offer. For clubs navigating the ever-increasing costs of modern football, bigger purses are a powerful incentive. Whether FIFA will ultimately succumb to this lobbying effort or adhere to the initially planned 32 teams remains a key point of uncertainty for the 2029 edition.
The First Contenders: Who Has Already Qualified?
Despite 2029 feeling like a distant date on the football calendar, four teams have already officially secured their places in the tournament. Qualification for the expanded Club World Cup largely hinges on winning the premier continental club competitions in the years preceding the event.
Interestingly, while Chelsea emerged victorious in the 2025 edition, their triumph does not automatically grant them a spot in the 2029 tournament under the current qualification criteria. Future continental successes or potentially a host nation berth (if they are selected) would be required.
The teams that have earned their early tickets to the 2029 showpiece are:
- PSG (France) – Qualify as winners of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. (Adding a touch of irony, they secured their spot before falling in the 2025 CWC final).
- Pyramids FC (Egypt) – Qualify as winners of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.
- Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) – Qualify as winners of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite.
- Cruz Azul (Mexico) – Qualify as winners of the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
These four clubs represent the initial vanguard, securing their participation several years in advance of the tournament`s kickoff. The remaining spots will be filled by future continental champions and potentially other qualifiers based on FIFA`s ranking systems within each confederation, according to the agreed-upon qualification pathway.
The Hosting Race: Where Will the 2029 Club World Cup Be Played?
One of the most significant pieces of the 2029 puzzle yet to be officially confirmed is the host nation(s). Several countries have openly declared their interest in staging the event, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process.
Among the nations that have expressed a desire to host are Australia and Brazil. Both possess significant footballing infrastructure and a passion for the game. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also publicly entertained the possibility of the United States hosting the tournament again, leveraging the facilities and organizational experience gained from the 2025 edition and the co-hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Furthermore, the trio of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, who are slated to jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, represent strong potential candidates. Hosting the 2029 Club World Cup could serve as a valuable dry run and showcase event for their 2030 preparations.
Qatar has also thrown its hat into the ring as a potential host. While the nation has demonstrated its capacity to host major events, the experience of the 2022 World Cup highlighted the potential for significant disruption to domestic league schedules, particularly in Europe, due to climatic considerations necessitating a shift to a late calendar slot. This potential scheduling conflict could be a factor in FIFA`s decision-making process for 2029.
The final decision on the host nation(s) will likely involve a complex evaluation of infrastructure readiness, logistical capabilities, geographical suitability, and the ability to integrate the tournament smoothly into the global football calendar without causing undue strain on domestic competitions worldwide.
Looking Ahead
With a handful of teams already qualified and multiple nations vying for hosting rights, the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup is slowly taking shape. However, fundamental questions regarding its ultimate size and location remain subjects of ongoing discussion and anticipation. The evolution of the tournament is clearly in progress, aiming to cement its status as a major fixture in the international football landscape.
