The United States will serve as hosts of the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, after being unanimously voted upon by the FIFA Council.
The host selection process considered infrastructure and service requirements before deciding that the United States was a “proven leader in hosting global events.” The tournament also precedes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also be co-hosted by the USA, giving FIFA the opportunity to maximize synergies and jump-start the development of football in the North American region.
“We are thrilled that the United States has been chosen to host the most prestigious club competition in world soccer. This adds to an already unprecedented runway of top events for our national teams to participate in or take place in our country and is another opportunity to grow the game here in the United States,” said US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. .
“The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be the pinnacle of elite professional men’s club soccer, and with the necessary infrastructure and strong local interest, the United States is the ideal host to launch this new, global tournament,” he added. FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“With some of the world’s best clubs already qualified, fans from every continent will bring their passion and energy to the United States in two years to mark this major milestone in our mission to make soccer truly global.”
The new tournament format will see 32 clubs compete, replacing the seven-team version and creating a milestone competition every four years. To qualify, clubs must win the continental championship in any of the four years from 2021 to 2024 within the five main confederations: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
Europe got 12 slots, South America boasts six and every other region only has four. Further contributions are expected to be awarded according to each team’s placement based on the results of the four-year period in continental competitions.
The tournament is expected to last around three weeks and will guarantee 32 teams at least three matches, each playing in eight groups of four. FIFA has yet to finalize the details, much of the competition’s formatting is still subject to change.
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