The final whistle of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has sounded, with Chelsea claiming the first title of the new 32-team era in a decisive victory over Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium. As attention inevitably shifts towards the next major international tournaments, specifically the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football`s gaze also extends further into the future towards the subsequent edition of the Club World Cup, slated for 2029. While still several years away, the framework for this next global club showdown is beginning to take shape, marked by discussions around scale, the emergence of early qualifiers, and an open race for hosting rights.
Potential Expansion: A Bigger Stage?
The 2029 tournament is currently planned to mirror the 2025 format, featuring 32 clubs from across the globe competing for the ultimate club prize. However, reports suggest that the ink on the 32-team plan is barely dry before proposals for further expansion are already circulating. Influential voices within the sport, particularly from Europe`s prominent clubs, are reportedly advocating for the tournament to grow even larger, potentially reaching a 48-team format – aligning it numerically with the FIFA World Cup for national teams.
The logic behind this push is primarily driven by commercial considerations. A larger tournament promises greater global reach, increased broadcast revenue, and, critically for the participating clubs, a larger prize pool. While the prospect of a 48-team club tournament raises logistical questions regarding the already congested international football calendar, the potential financial upside appears to be a significant motivator for those urging FIFA to reconsider the scale of the 2029 event. As of now, FIFA has not formally adopted an expansion, but the discussion is firmly on the table, illustrating the constant negotiation between sporting integrity and the pursuit of maximizing global event revenue.
The First Competitors: Early Qualifiers Emerge
Despite the potential format adjustments, the qualification process for the 2029 edition has already commenced through the results of the 2024-25 continental club championships. As the champions of their respective confederations during that crucial season, four teams have officially secured their berths in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
These early qualifiers represent a diverse geographic spread of footballing powerhouses:
- Paris Saint-Germain (France) – Winners of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League
- Pyramids FC (Egypt) – Winners of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League
- Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) – Winners of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite
- Cruz Azul (Mexico) – Winners of the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup
It`s perhaps a slightly ironic twist that while Chelsea hold the title of 2025 champions, their victory in that specific tournament does not grant them automatic qualification for 2029. Entry into the next edition, like for most other clubs, will depend on their performance in future continental competitions leading up to 2029. These four clubs, however, can already begin their long-term planning for football`s next major club gathering.
The Question of the Host Nation
Perhaps the most significant unknown factor regarding the 2029 tournament is its location. As of today, FIFA has not officially announced the host nation or nations. This decision is a complex one, involving infrastructure, logistical capabilities, governmental support, and scheduling considerations.
Several countries and regions have reportedly expressed interest in staging the event. Australia and Brazil, both with strong football cultures and existing infrastructure, are among the interested parties. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly mentioned the possibility of the United States hosting the tournament again, potentially leveraging the significant investment made for the 2026 World Cup. The trio of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, already designated as co-hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, could also be strong contenders, potentially using the 2029 Club World Cup as a large-scale test event. Furthermore, Qatar, which successfully hosted the 2022 World Cup, has also indicated interest. However, the experience of 2022 highlighted the considerable disruption a winter tournament in Qatar can cause to the traditional European league schedules, a factor that will undoubtedly be scrutinized during the selection process.
The decision on the host is likely to be made closer to the date, allowing FIFA and potential candidates to assess readiness and integrate the tournament into the global football calendar with minimal disruption – ideally, unlike some past examples where schedules were famously inverted.
In summary, while the FIFA Club World Cup 2029 remains some years away, the foundational elements are beginning to solidify. The debate around its ultimate scale continues, the first participants are known, and a competitive field of potential hosts is emerging. The journey to the next global club championship has officially begun, promising another high-profile event on the international football horizon.
Gareth Pendleton