According to a recent report from The Guardian, FIFA is preparing to launch a consultation process to evaluate the possibility of expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams in future editions. The tournament, which has already grown from its original format to the current 32-team structure, may soon undergo another transformation as clubs that missed qualification begin lobbying for more available spots.
The 2025 Club World Cup, the first to feature 32 teams, is already underway. It represents a major milestone in FIFA’s efforts to elevate the prestige and competitiveness of the tournament. With a prize pool that could award the champion up to €116 million, the stakes are significantly higher than in previous editions. For comparison, Paris Saint-Germain earned €147 million for winning the UEFA Champions League, putting the Club World Cup prize close behind in terms of financial incentives.
FIFA sees this as a natural next step in aligning the Club World Cup with its other flagship tournaments. Both the Men’s and Women’s FIFA World Cups are set to expand to 48 teams in the coming cycles. From FIFA’s perspective, offering more clubs from around the world an opportunity to compete at the highest level would enhance global interest and increase the commercial viability of the event.
The potential expansion is also being fueled by commercial success. FIFA recently sold the global broadcasting rights for the new tournament to DAZN for approximately €925 million. With such a significant media deal already in place, increasing the number of matches and participating teams could add even more value for sponsors, broadcasters, and fans alike.
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Still, critics of expansion caution against diluting the competition or overwhelming the already congested soccer calendar. However, clubs that narrowly missed out on qualification—especially from highly competitive regions like Europe and South America—are pushing for greater inclusion, citing both sporting merit and the financial windfall the tournament provides.
If the 2025 edition proves to be a success in terms of ratings, ticket sales, and global engagement, it’s likely that FIFA will greenlight the move to 48 teams, reshaping the future of international club competition for years to come.
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