The FIFA Club World Cup is about to enter a new phase, and FIFA is already considering ways to make it bigger and more competitive. According to The Guardian, the world football governing body will present a proposal this summer to increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 starting with the 2029 edition.

Currently, the tournament brings together continental champions and other top clubs, but it has faced criticism for its qualification system. Historic clubs such as Arsenal, AC Milan, Liverpool, and FC Barcelona were excluded from the inaugural edition, despite some of them winning their domestic leagues. This exclusion has caused particular discontent in the Premier League, whose representatives are demanding a revision of the country quotas. For the first edition, only two clubs per nation are allowed, except for Brazil (4) and MLS (3).

More Teams and Greater Representation: FIFA’s Proposal

The plan to expand the Club World Cup to 48 teams aims to reflect an expansionist vision similar to what FIFA has implemented in other international tournaments. For example, the men’s World Cup will adopt a 48-nation format starting in 2026, while the Women’s World Cup will follow suit in 2031.

This move is intended not only to increase competitiveness but also to improve the representation of different leagues and confederations, addressing the criticisms about notable exclusions. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström expressed optimism about the tournament’s future in an interview with The Athletic: “We are very open to considering different formats and discussing them with clubs and confederations. I firmly believe in the future of this competition.”

However, the success of the inaugural tournament, which will be held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, will be crucial to validate any changes. Just two days before the opening match between Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, and Egypt’s Al-Ahly, FIFA had to drastically reduce ticket prices due to low demand, dropping from 300 euros to less than 50 euros, highlighting the challenge of capturing public interest.

The Club World Cup could thus take a significant leap in its format, aiming not only to attract more teams but also more spectators and prestige, establishing itself as a key tournament on the global football calendar.

With this ambitious proposal, FIFA hopes to strengthen the competition and make it more inclusive and appealing to football fans around the world.