March 6 – FIFA has announced that it will launch a Women’s Club World Cup competition in 2028, two years later than first planned. The world governing body also confirmed the introduction of a Women’s Champions Cup debuting in 2026.
The two new tournaments were ratified at a virtual meeting of the FIFA Council. The Club World Cup will be staged on a quadrennial basis while the six-team Champions Cup is set to take place annually – except in years where the former tournament takes place.
“The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be a defining moment in the growth of women’s club football, giving the world’s top clubs the platform they deserve to compete against the best and put the women’s club game in the global spotlight,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino in a statement.
“Following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, the inaugural edition will take place in 2028 and will feature a total of 19 clubs (including qualifying playoffs), allowing for a competitive and an inclusive format based on the sporting merit accumulated globally.”
The Club World Cup will feature 16 teams from the six confederations – Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania.
Thirteen clubs will earn a direct passage into the competition with three spots up for grabs through a convoluted playoff system.
The AFC, CAF, Concacaf and CONMEBOL confederations will each have two direct berths, while UEFA will have five slots.
The main body of the tournament will feature 16 clubs competing in four groups of four, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the knockout stage. As of yet, no details on the prize money available have been published.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Champions Cup will feature the winners of each of the confederations’ club championships. The European champions, as well as the winners of the Concacaf Champions League and Women’s Copa Libertadores, will bet a bye to the last four.
Champions from Asia and Oceania will meet in round one of the preliminary stage, with the winner meeting the African champions – who will host round two.
“These are more than just new tournaments – these are drivers for the future of our sport that will raise standards, provide invaluable opportunities for growth and local development, and generate new revenue – all on a global scale,” said Jill Ellis, FIFA’s chief football officer.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1741267662labto1741267662ofdlr1741267662owedi1741267662sni@i1741267662tnuk.1741267662ardni1741267662mas1741267662