Fifa to introduce Women’s Club World Cup in 2028

The Club World Cup will include 16 teams from all six confederations – Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania.

Thirteen clubs – including five from Europe – will earn direct passage into the competition and an additional three places are up for grabs via a “play-in” route, which will see the winners of one-legged knockout matches qualify.

Once in the competition, there will be a group-stage round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final to contest.

Dates for the competition and the appointment of a host is still to be determined, while Fifa will also discuss prize money and the potential for special amendments in transfer windows to be made if it coincides with the Club World Cup.

There is also likely to be an introduction of minimum standards for clubs hoping to participate in the competition.

Fifa’s aim is to support the growth of women’s club football and they hope this will create more competitive matches globally.

Sources at Fifa claim the delay in its launch was to allow more time to discuss the match calendar amid ongoing concerns for player welfare.

In May last year, Fifa rejected claims that Fifpro and the World Leagues Association were not consulted over plans to host the 32-team Men’s Club World Cup.