In January and February 2026, the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup will take place. The 16-team tournament, which will be held every four years, will fall during the domestic season for European leagues, taking place between the Women’s Champions League group stages and the knockout rounds. The USA’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season usually begins in March.
Fifa announced its intention to create a global women’s club competition in December 2022 and officially confirmed the plans during a meeting in Bangkok. Barcelona are the current European champions, NY Gotham FC are the reigning NWSL champions, and Brazilian side Corinthians are the holders of the Copa Libertadora Femenina.
The Fifa council also approved a new international match calendar from 2026-29 with the goal of providing players with more opportunities for rest and recovery. This will be achieved by reducing the number of international breaks from six to five. Fifa president Gianni Infantino emphasized that these changes will enhance competitiveness in women’s soccer around the world.
In addition to creating a new global women’s club competition, FIFA is also preparing to vote on the host of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Brazil is in contention against a joint bid from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.