FIFA have confirmed the launch of a 16-team Women’s Club World Cup, set to debut in 2028.
The tournament, which had originally been scheduled for 2026, was put on hold following the governing body’s persistence to ensure that there is adequate space in the football calendar for the competition to take place.
Given the go-ahead following a FIFA advisory meeting on Wednesday evening, the Women’s Club World Cup has now been confirmed for a launch in January-February 2028.
The tournament, set to be held every four years, will feature 16 teams from across the globe, each with a different path to qualification. Asia, Africa, CONCACAF and South America will each receive two automatic spots in the group stages, with UEFA to be given five. Clubs from other federations will compete in playoff stages, featuring six teams from separate federations, with three spots up for grabs.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be a defining moment in the growth of women’s club football, giving the world’s top clubs the platform they deserve to compete against the best and put the women’s club game in the global spotlight.”
In the meantime, FIFA will launch the Champions Cup in 2026. The six-team competition will take place annually, excluding the years that the Club World Cup is set to be played. The inaugural Champions Cup will take place between 27 January 2026 to 31 January 2026 and will be made up the most recent continental champion from each confederation, including this season’s winner of the Champions League.
