English Club Chelsea Escape As FIFA Set to Announce New Plan for Club World Cup
- FIFA is said to be considering hosting the Club World Cup every two years starting in 2029, a move that would spark outrage
- The international football calendar is already packed, and this new idea may likely face resistance from UEFA and the Premier League
- European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli are pushing for this biennial format due to its revenue potential
The world's football governing body, FIFA, is considering hosting the Club World Cup every two years starting in 2029, reports say.
Such an idea proposes a change that would strain the already packed international football calendar and likely face resistance from UEFA and the Premier League.
The next tournament, following this summer’s expanded 32-team event in the United States, is set for 2029.
Source: Getty Images
Reports have it that top European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli are pushing for a biennial format.
This is as a result of the revenue potential, with Chelsea reportedly earning £85million for winning this year’s edition.
Although FIFA has no plans for a 2027 tournament, there are discussions of staging an additional one in 2031, Tribuna reports.
The international match calendar is fixed until 2030, limiting near-term changes, though post-2030 scheduling is open for negotiation.
To ease player workloads, the football body may eliminate the June international break to accommodate club competitions, a move UEFA opposes due to its Nations League finals.
FIFA is also reviewing qualification rules for 2029, potentially lifting the two-club-per-country cap and expanding the tournament to 48 teams, aligning with its men’s and women’s World Cup formats.
A formal bidding process for future hosts is planned, following the U.S.’s selection this year without tenders. Qatar, Spain, and Morocco are interested in hosting 2029.
The biennial proposal faces pushback, especially from the Premier League-supported World Leagues group, which claims FIFA neglected to consult leagues and players on scheduling.
Despite opposition, FIFA is focused on improving the tournament’s role in global football.
Reigning kings Chelsea are set to benefit from FIFA's consideration of granting them an automatic spot in the 2029 tournament to defend their 2025 title.
Recall that Chelsea triumphed in the first expanded FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, securing a significant cash prize for their victory.
The Blues dominated Paris Saint-Germain, the 2025 UEFA Champions League winners, with a 3-0 scoreline in the final to claim the newly designed golden trophy.
Source: Getty Images
According to CBS Sports, the Stamford Bridge outfit eventually earned an estimated $153.66 million after beating the French giants to win the trophy and also earned a gold badge for four years.
FIFA considers World Cup expansion
Legit.ng earlier reported that FIFA has announced that it will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, in celebration of the tournament's centenary.
The edition of the global showpiece will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay—where the first tournament was held—set to host three matches.
Source: Legit.ng
