The United States will host the expanded 32-team World Cup for clubs in 2025, governing body FIFA announced on Friday. “The 2025 Club World Cup will be the pinnacle of elite professional men’s club football, and with the required infrastructure and tremendous local interest, the United States is the ideal host to launch this new global tournament,” said FIFA. President Gianni Infantino. The dates, host cities and match schedule for the tournament will be determined at a later date, FIFA said. The US will also host the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico.
The Club World Cup has been held annually since 2005 in a seven-team, or sometimes six-team format, featuring that year’s six continental champions plus, if necessary, a representative from the host country.
FIFA announced the extended format in February.
The new competition is scheduled to feature four representatives from Asia, Africa and CONCACAF, including North and Central America, six from South America, twelve from Europe, including the winners of the last five Champions Cup, and one from Oceania. and the host country.
In theory, the last edition in the smaller format will be played in December in Saudi Arabia.
Six of the places have already been decided with five continental champions – Manchester City, Mexico’s Leon, Egyptians Al Ahly, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamond, New Zealand’s Auckland City – and Al Ittihad representing the host nation.
The Copa America in South America is not over yet.
Current plans would leave a gap of a year before the expanded tournament kicks off. Continental federations have reportedly asked FIFA to ensure their 2024 champions have the chance to play for a world title next year.
FIFA also announced on Friday that it is shifting the decision on the host of the 2030 World Cup from September or October to the second half of next year “to ensure additional consultation with all key stakeholders.”
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