With the curtains recently closing on the 2025 edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, football enthusiasts and clubs alike are already looking ahead. The next iteration of this significantly larger global club competition is scheduled for 2029. This event promises to be a major fixture on the football calendar, distinct from the annual formats of the past.
The Format Question: 32 or 48?
A central point of discussion surrounding the 2029 tournament is its size. FIFA`s current stated plan maintains the 32-team structure witnessed in the 2025 event. However, reports persist suggesting that influential figures within European football are advocating for a further expansion, pushing for a 48-team setup – mirroring the senior FIFA World Cup format. The rationale is straightforward: a larger field inherently generates greater global interest and, perhaps more significantly for participating clubs, substantial increases in prize money. While FIFA has yet to formally alter the 32-team plan for 2029, the pressure for a grander scale remains.
Early Birds: Who Has Qualified for 2029?
Despite the 2029 tournament being several years away, the qualification process, tied to continental championship cycles, means some elite clubs have already secured their berths. Based on the outcomes of the 2024-25 continental seasons mentioned in early reporting, four teams are currently slated to participate:
- PSG (France): Qualified as the UEFA Champions League winner.
- Pyramids FC (Egypt): Qualified as the CAF Champions League winner.
- Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia): Qualified as the AFC Champions League Elite winner.
- Cruz Azul (Mexico): Qualified as the CONCACAF Champions Cup winner.
It`s notable that even the winner of the 2025 edition (referenced as Chelsea in previous reports) is not automatically guaranteed a place in the 2029 tournament under the current qualification criteria. This underscores the competitive nature of securing a spot through continental success.
The Host Race: Where Will 2029 Unfold?
The question of where this significant tournament will be held in 2029 is also generating considerable interest. While FIFA has made no definitive announcement, several nations have publicly or reportedly expressed interest in hosting the event. Candidates mentioned include Australia, Brazil, and the United States – nations familiar with hosting major sporting events. European contenders like Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, also represent plausible options, potentially leveraging existing infrastructure. Qatar, having hosted the 2022 World Cup, has also shown interest. Hosting in a region like Qatar, however, might necessitate adjustments to the international football calendar, a point of contention previously experienced with the winter 2022 World Cup. The final decision on the host nation will undoubtedly be a key piece of information awaited by teams and fans.
As 2029 approaches, the picture of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup is slowly forming. An ambitious format is planned, a handful of continental champions are already confirmed participants, and a global race is underway to determine the host nation. Much remains to be decided, particularly regarding the final tournament size and location, making the journey to the next major club spectacle one worth following.
