With the final whistle blown on the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the confetti settled (congratulations, Chelsea), attention inevitably turns to the horizon. While the national teams gear up for the next FIFA World Cup cycle, the club football world is already contemplating the subsequent iteration of its global pinnacle event: the FIFA Club World Cup 2029. As preparations unfold, certain details are beginning to emerge, offering a glimpse into the format, participants, and potential venues for this major tournament.
Format Evolution: Bigger and Better?
As of now, the official blueprint for the 2029 tournament maintains the recently adopted structure featuring 32 participating clubs. This represents a significant expansion from previous formats, aiming to create a more globally representative and competitive event. However, discussions are reportedly underway regarding a further expansion. Influential European clubs, in particular, are said to be advocating for a move to a 48-team setup, mirroring the structure planned for the national team World Cup. The rationale behind this push is clear: increased global visibility, enhanced prestige, and, perhaps less surprisingly, the potential for considerably larger revenue streams through broadcast rights, sponsorship, and prize money. FIFA has yet to make a definitive announcement on this potential format shift, leaving the exact scale of the 2029 competition subject to ongoing deliberation.
Early Entrants: The Qualified Clubs for 2029
Despite the tournament being several years away and the final format still potentially in flux, four clubs have already secured their berths in the 2029 edition based on their continental triumphs in the 2024-25 season. These early qualifiers represent the pinnacle of club football from their respective confederations during that cycle. It is worth noting that while Chelsea lifted the trophy in the 2025 edition, their participation in 2029 is not automatically guaranteed by that victory under the current qualification criteria.
The teams currently qualified for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup are:
- PSG (France): Winners of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25.
- Pyramids FC (Egypt): Winners of the CAF Champions League 2024-25.
- Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia): Winners of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25.
- Cruz Azul (Mexico): Winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025.
These clubs have earned the distinction of being the first confirmed participants in what is expected to be a highly anticipated tournament.
The Bidding Stage: Where Could 2029 Unfold?
The crucial question of where the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup will be staged remains officially unanswered. Several nations have expressed interest in hosting the expanded event, each presenting unique opportunities and logistical considerations. Both Australia and Brazil have emerged as potential candidates from different continents. Meanwhile, the United States, fresh off hosting the 2025 edition (and preparing for the 2026 World Cup), has also been mentioned by FIFA leadership as a possible repeat host. The Iberian Peninsula and North Africa region, specifically Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, also present a compelling case, particularly given their joint bid and preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, suggesting existing or planned infrastructure could be leveraged.
Qatar has also reportedly shown interest. However, hosting the tournament in a region with extreme summer temperatures carries inherent logistical challenges, as evidenced by the schedule disruption caused by moving the 2022 World Cup to winter. Such a decision would require careful planning to mitigate impact on domestic league schedules worldwide.
As planning continues for the 2029 tournament, football fans await further details on its final form and destination. The decisions made in the coming years will shape the landscape of global club competition for the next cycle.
Dominic Ashworth