In 2026, FIFA will host the first Women’s Club World Cup tournament. The tournament will include 16 teams, but it is not yet clear how they will qualify or where the games will take place. Barcelona and Lyon, the top-ranked European teams, are currently set to meet in the next final on May 25 in Bilbao, Spain.
Meanwhile, a new men’s Club World Cup will debut in June-July 2023 in the United States. Teams will qualify for this tournament by winning or performing well in continental championships through 2024. The inaugural men’s edition will feature 12 European teams and six teams from South America.
FIFA has been focusing on developing women’s soccer since Gianni Infantino became president in 2016. Launching a global club tournament has been a key part of its strategy. The women’s Club World Cup is expected to be held every four years, similar to the men’s edition. In between those years, an “additional FIFA women’s club competition” is proposed to be organized. Additionally, FIFA plans to launch an annual “Intercontinental Cup” in December featuring only the champions of the six men’s continental competitions, such as the Champions League in Europe.
