The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup has been postponed to 2028, while a new tournament called the Champions Cup is set to debut in 2026. This decision was ratified by the FIFA Council during a recent meeting. Originally proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in 2021 and confirmed by the Council in 2022, the Women’s Club World Cup will feature 13 direct qualifiers from the six confederations and three teams through a play-in system. This event is scheduled to occur every four years starting in 2028.
The inaugural edition of the Women’s Club World Cup will include 16 teams, with UEFA securing five spots in the group stage. Other confederations like CAF, CONMEBOL, AFC, and Concacaf will have two guaranteed entries each, while OFC will not have any direct qualifiers. Additionally, six clubs from various confederations will participate in the play-in stage, with the format subject to change as the competition progresses. The host and exact timing for the event after 2028 are yet to be determined.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the Women’s Club World Cup as a significant milestone for women’s club football, providing a global stage for top clubs to showcase their talent and elevate the women’s game. The 2026 Women’s Champions Cup, a six-team tournament, will precede the Women’s Club World Cup and will feature champions from different confederations. This tournament will be held annually in years without the Women’s Club World Cup.
The announcement of these new women’s football tournaments has sparked both excitement and concerns within the football community. Meghann Burke, executive director of the NWSL’s Player Association, expressed reservations regarding prize money, sponsorship, and scheduling for the upcoming Club World Cup. She emphasized the importance of involving stakeholders like the NWSLPA to ensure the event’s success and growth of women’s football on a global scale.
In comparison, the men’s Club World Cup, set to launch in a new format in the United States later this year with 32 teams, has faced criticism for adding strain to an already congested football calendar. FIFPRO has even initiated a legal dispute against FIFA, highlighting the challenges of balancing tournament demands with player welfare and scheduling concerns.
Jill Ellis, FIFA’s chief football officer and former U.S. women’s national team coach, hailed these new tournaments as pivotal for the future of football, emphasizing their role in setting higher standards, fostering growth opportunities, and generating global revenue. The FIFA Council’s decision to introduce these tournaments underscores a historic moment that promises to redefine women’s football on a global scale.
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