Even before the inaugural 32-team edition kicks off in 2025, there`s already significant pressure for the FIFA Club World Cup to expand to 48 participants by 2029. This proposed growth would mirror the expansion planned for the men`s national team World Cup in 2026, should FIFA deem the current format successful.
According to reports from the British newspaper The Guardian, the primary proponents of this expansion are the major European clubs who failed to qualify for the upcoming tournament, which features a hefty total prize fund of one billion dollars. Notable teams missing out on the 2025 event include powerhouses like Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and AC Milan.
These clubs boast enormous global fan bases. Without an increase in the number of participants or a change to the current FIFA-imposed limit of 12 European teams, these giants face the considerable risk of continued exclusion from future editions, potentially marginalizing them from a lucrative and prestigious competition.
Internal FIFA sources, cited by The Guardian, indicate that formal discussions about the expansion proposal haven`t officially commenced. However, consultations with clubs and confederations regarding the tournament`s format and structure are anticipated to take place after the summer. Among the changes reportedly being pushed by Premier League clubs is the abolition of the rule that restricts participation to a maximum of two teams from any single nation.