FIFA Grants USA Right to Host Expanded Club World Cup in 2025

The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced on Friday that the United States of America has been granted the right to host the first expanded Club World Cup in 2025, which will feature 32 teams. FIFA made the decision “unanimously” during a meeting held via videoconferencing technology from its headquarters in Zurich to announce later dates, stadiums and match schedules.

Infrastructure and Service Requirements

FIFA granted the hosting rights to the USA based on infrastructure and service requirements, as well as the tournament’s broader strategic goals. Notably, the USA, along with Canada and Mexico, will host the 2026 World Cup with 48 teams instead of 32 teams.

Increased Number of Participating Clubs

FIFA approved last December an increase in the number of clubs participating in the Club World Cup to 32 starting from the 2025 edition and announced earlier this year how to distribute them across continents. The European Union received the most clubs, with 12 clubs, four for each of the Asian and African Confederations and CONCACAF (North, Central America and the Caribbean), 6 for CONMEBOL (South American Confederation) and a seat for the Oceania Confederation, in addition to the club from the host country.

2023 FIFA Club World Cup

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup for the first time later this year under the current seven-club system.

Postponement of 2030 FIFA World Cup Host Announcement

In another context, FIFA has announced to “postpone the official launch of the filing process” for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup until its next meeting in September or October 2023, as well as postponing the announcement of the host name from the “Third Section in 2023 to the Fourth Division in 2024”.