FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the USA will play host to the Club World Cup in 2025. Before the 2022 World Cup final, Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, already announced this enlargement and new format. The champions of the Champions League from 2021 to 2024 will be among the 12 European teams who will take part, therefore Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City have already qualified. A rating based on the same four-year timeframe will decide the other clubs. The other 20 spots will be filled by six CONMEBOL teams, including the Copa Libertadores champions between 2021 and 2024; four CONCACAF teams, theoretically the respective Champions League champions from 2021–2024; four clubs each from CAF and AFC; one from OFC—the highest-ranked club from its respective Champions League champions from 2021–2024; and one from the host nation.
“The peak of top-tier, professional men’s club football will be the Fifa Club World Cup in 2025. The United States is the best venue to launch this new, global competition since the necessary infrastructure is in place and there is significant local interest,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
In June and July 2025, the FIFA Club World Cup will play its 21st edition. The United States is scheduled to host a 48-team World Cup (together with Canada and Mexico) in 2026, as well as a 16-time Copa America in 2024. The FIFA plan has drawn criticism from FIFPRO, a global association of professional athletes, who point to concerns for player welfare as a result of the extra matches on an already full playing schedule. The tournament will be held every four years rather than annually, which should allay any residual concerns.
Twelve clubs have already reserved spots alongside an unnamed host team. The condition that extra teams will be chosen by a club ranking over a four-year period applies if a club wins the main club tournament in its confederation for two or more consecutive seasons. In addition, a limit of two clubs per association will be enforced, with champion clubs being exempt if more than two clubs from the same association win the premier club championship of their confederation.
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