FIFA has announced that the first-ever Women’s Club World Cup tournament will take place in January and February of 2026. The tournament will involve 16 teams, but the qualification process and match locations have yet to be determined by FIFA’s ruling council.
Barcelona and Lyon, two of Europe’s top women’s soccer teams, are set to face off in the upcoming Champions League final on May 25 in Bilbao, Spain. On the men’s side, a new 32-team Club World Cup is scheduled for June and July of next year in the United States. Teams will qualify for this tournament by winning or performing well in continental championships through 2024. The first men’s edition will feature 12 European teams and six from South America.
FIFA has been prioritizing the development of women’s soccer since Gianni Infantino became president in 2016. The Women’s Club World Cup will be held every four years, with plans for an additional women’s club competition to be organized in the intervening years. In addition to the Women’s Club World Cup, FIFA is also planning to launch an annual Intercontinental Cup featuring only the champions of the six men’s continental competitions, including the Champions League in Europe.
