Everything You Need to Know About the New FIFA Club World Cup Format

The FIFA Club World Cup is set for a major overhaul. Starting in 2025, the competition will adopt a brand-new format, significantly expanding the tournament's scale and global appeal. Here are the top five key changes and details you should know about the revamped event.

1. Expanded Number of Teams

The new format will feature 32 clubs, a major upgrade from the previous seven-team model. This expansion aligns the tournament with the structure of the FIFA World Cup, making for a more inclusive and exciting competition.

2. Quadrennial Schedule

Unlike its current annual arrangement, the revamped FIFA Club World Cup will now be held every four years. This change aims to make the tournament more prestigious, giving it a similar feel to the FIFA World Cup for national teams.

3. Host Nation and Venue

The inaugural edition of the new format will be hosted by the United States in 2025. This aligns with FIFA's strategy to strengthen football in emerging markets and prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will also be partly hosted in the US.

4. Qualification Criteria

Clubs will qualify based on their performances in continental competitions. Here’s how the allocation breaks down:

• UEFA – 12 teams
• CONMEBOL – 6 teams
• AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF – 4 teams each
• OFC – 1 team
• 1 spot reserved for the host nation

This ensures representatives from all six FIFA confederations, promoting global diversity and competition.

5. Prestige and Revenue Boost

FIFA aims to transform the Club World Cup into a truly global event that rivals the UEFA Champions League. With top clubs and increased fan engagement, clubs are expected to benefit financially while earning global exposure.

Why It Matters

This transformation reflects FIFA’s long-term strategy to evolve club competitions and level the playing field across continents. Football fans can look forward to witnessing matches between the best clubs from every corner of the globe in a high-stakes tournament staged every four years.

As the countdown to 2025 begins, anticipation builds for what could become a landmark global club football event.