FIFA picks United States to host first Women's Club World Cup in 2028
FIFA says the inaugural tournament will be staged from January 5 to 30, 2028, with seven clubs already qualified.
At a glance
- FIFA announced the United States will host the first Women's Club World Cup, to be played January 5-30, 2028.
- Seven clubs have qualified: Arsenal, Club America Femenil, Barcelona, Gotham, Naegohyang, Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda.
- FIFA moved the event from 2026 to 2028 to fit between the 2027 Women's World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics.
The United States will host the first Women's Club World Cup, FIFA announced on Thursday, with the inaugural tournament to be staged from January 5 to 30, 2028.
FIFA said the decision was taken in view of the country's experience organising its tournaments, the maturity of its infrastructure and services, and the level of stakeholder interest in women's football there.
The US has a track record of staging major sporting events, notably cohosting the men's World Cup earlier this year.
Which clubs will play
FIFA's breakdown of places by confederation adds up to 19 clubs from all six continental confederations. Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) and South America (CONMEBOL) will each have three clubs, Oceania (OFC) will have one and Europe (UEFA) six. A summary of the announcement also referred to "16 of football's top teams".
Seven clubs have already secured their places: Arsenal (England), Club America Femenil (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain), Gotham (United States), Naegohyang (North Korea), Corinthians (Brazil) and Wuhan Jiangda (China).
"They will have the opportunity to tell their story, expand their fan base and represent their club on the world stage," said Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's football officer. "They have thoroughly earned this opportunity to be part of history in the United States."
Why the tournament moved to 2028
The competition was initially slated for 2026, but FIFA pushed the inaugural edition back by two years so that it enjoys a clear window following the 2027 women's World Cup and before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
FIFA described the introduction of the tournament as a major milestone for the professionalisation and global expansion of the women's club game, giving elite club sides a true world stage to compete on every four years.
The United States also staged the 2025 men's FIFA Club World Cup, which Chelsea won after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- When and where is the first Women's Club World Cup?
- The United States will host the inaugural tournament from January 5 to 30, 2028, FIFA announced. It was initially slated for 2026 before being pushed back by two years.
- Which clubs have qualified for the 2028 Women's Club World Cup?
- Arsenal, Club America Femenil, Barcelona, Gotham, Naegohyang, Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda have secured places, according to FIFA. Places are allocated across all six continental confederations.
- Why did FIFA choose the United States to host?
- FIFA cited the country's experience organising its tournaments, the maturity of its infrastructure and services, and the level of stakeholder interest in women's football there.
