FIFA Weighs Biennial Club World Cup From 2029

Chinalurumogu EzeAugust 18, 20251 Mins read1.7k

FIFA is considering staging the Club World Cup every two years from 2029, a proposal that could reshape the global football calendar but also heighten tensions with European leagues and raise concerns for players already stretched thin.

The governing body is under pressure from major European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli, who argue that a biennial format would open more doors for participation and boost revenues. Chelsea’s £85 million prize money from the recent tournament has fueled interest from clubs that missed out.

While the international match calendar is locked until 2030, FIFA sources say talks are ongoing about additional tournaments in 2031. To ease scheduling, FIFA may remove the June international break, though UEFA has resisted the idea, as it clashes with its Nations League finals.

Qualification rules are also being reviewed, with discussions around lifting the current two-club-per-country cap and possibly expanding the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, mirroring the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Fans, however, remain divided. Some welcome more opportunities to watch global club clashes, while others fear the toll on players who already balance domestic leagues, continental competitions, and international duties.

Meanwhile, FIFA plans to launch a formal bidding process for the 2029 edition, with Qatar, Spain, and Morocco among the early contenders. This comes after the U.S. was handed this year’s expanded tournament without an open tender.

But the idea is not without opposition. The World Leagues group, backed by the Premier League, has threatened legal action, accusing FIFA of ignoring leagues and players in its decision-making. Despite the pushback, FIFA continues to explore ways to entrench the Club World Cup as a showpiece of global football.