The 2029 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is expected to feature 48 teams, marking a significant expansion from the 32-club format used in the revamped tournament staged in the United States in 2025.

The move follows what FIFA considers a successful first expanded edition, which was won by Chelsea F.C., and mirrors the governing body’s broader strategy of scaling up its flagship competitions.

The men’s FIFA World Cup similarly increased to 48 national teams beginning in 2026.

The push for further expansion of the Club World Cup gained momentum after several of Europe’s biggest and most commercially influential clubs were excluded from the 2025 tournament.

High-profile sides such as FC Barcelona, Liverpool F.C., and Manchester United F.C. failed to qualify under a system that allocated places based on a four-year continental performance ranking, with strict limits on the number of clubs per country.

Their absence sparked concerns among key stakeholders, who argued that globally recognised clubs were missing out on both sporting prestige and the substantial commercial revenues associated with participation.

In response to lobbying and broader feedback, FIFA began exploring options to broaden the field, aiming to increase inclusion—particularly for elite European clubs—while maintaining balanced representation across all confederations.

Initially, UEFA expressed reservations about expansion, citing potential scheduling conflicts and concerns over the status of the Champions League.

However, recent discussions indicate a shift toward cooperation.

UEFA is now understood to be open to the 48-team format for 2029, provided FIFA maintains the Club World Cup on a four-year cycle rather than introducing more frequent editions.

The evolving consensus reflects improving relations between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

An expanded tournament would likely require adjustments to slot allocations.

Europe’s representation, currently set at 12 teams, could rise to around 16 or more, giving historically prominent clubs a greater chance of qualifying without fundamentally altering the core qualification framework.

Discussions have also begun around potential hosts for the 2029 edition.

A joint bid from Spain and Morocco has been mentioned, while the United States remains a strong contender after staging the 2025 tournament.

The proposed expansion underscores FIFA’s ambition to elevate the Club World Cup into a truly global, marquee event for club football—comparable in scale and commercial impact to the national team World Cup.