As the dust begins to settle on the recent, expanded FIFA Club World Cup – a tournament that showcased global club football on a significantly grander stage than its predecessors – attention inevitably turns to the horizon. The next major milestone in this evolving competition format? The edition scheduled for 2029. While much remains to be officially confirmed, initial details are emerging, providing a glimpse into the structure, participants, and potential venues for this future global gathering of footballing elite.
Format and Expansion: The 32 vs. 48 Debate
Current expectations point towards the 2029 tournament maintaining the same expanded scale introduced in the previous edition, featuring a 32-team lineup. This format represents a significant departure from the smaller, traditional seven-team structure, aiming to elevate the competition`s profile and global reach. However, the discussion around the tournament`s size appears far from concluded.
Reports suggest a push from various stakeholders, notably influential European clubs, to further expand the competition to a 48-team format. This mirrors the size of the senior FIFA World Cup and is underpinned by a clear rationale: a larger tournament promises greater global exposure, potentially attracting a wider audience and, critically, generating increased revenues and prize money. This dynamic highlights the perpetual negotiation between sporting ambition and the commercial imperatives that increasingly shape major football events. While 32 teams seems the current plan, the feasibility and appeal of a 48-team version remain subjects of ongoing debate behind closed doors.
The Early Birds: Who`s Qualified So Far?
Despite the 2029 tournament being several years away, a handful of clubs have already secured their place, having won their respective continental championships during the 2024-25 season – a detail that, when reported in the present, feels akin to receiving news from the future. These early qualifiers represent the initial vanguard of the clubs set to compete on the world stage.
As of the latest information, four teams have reportedly clinched berths:
- Paris Saint-Germain (France): Qualified as the winners of the UEFA Champions League in the 2024-25 season.
- Pyramids FC (Egypt): Secured their spot by winning the CAF Champions League in 2024-25.
- Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia): Qualified after triumphing in the AFC Champions League Elite during the 2024-25 campaign.
- Cruz Azul (Mexico): Earned their place by winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2025.
These clubs represent the very first confirmed participants, with the vast majority of the 32 (or potentially 48) spots yet to be filled in the coming years through future continental competitions.
The Hosting Race Heats Up
Another key piece of the 2029 puzzle that remains officially undecided is the host nation. FIFA has yet to announce where the tournament will take place, opening the door for interested countries to put forward their bids. This process is likely to become increasingly competitive as the event draws closer.
Several nations have already expressed interest in staging the 2029 Club World Cup. Reported contenders include Australia, Brazil, and the United States. Notably, the trio of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, who are set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, have also been mentioned as potential hosts, perhaps leveraging planned infrastructure developments or recent hosting experience. Qatar, having hosted the 2022 World Cup, is also reportedly interested. However, a Qatari bid might reignite concerns about scheduling conflicts and potential disruption to the global football calendar, a significant factor during their winter World Cup.
The selection of the host nation will be a critical decision, influencing everything from logistics and travel for clubs and fans to the commercial success and global narrative of the tournament.
In summary, while the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup is still a distant prospect, the framework is beginning to emerge. Key factors like the final team count and the host location are still under consideration, promising more developments in the near future. What is certain is FIFA`s intent to make this expanded club competition a prominent and recurring event on the international football calendar, bringing together the world`s best teams in a quest for global club supremacy.
Percy Harlow