David GOMBE
The success of the first FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, has already led the CBF to think about the next edition, which is expected to take place in 2029.
Samir Xaud, president of the Confederation of Brazilian Football has informed Gianni Infantino and Mattias Grafström, president and secretary general of FIFA, this Friday of Brazil’s intention to host the competition in four years’ time. The idea was well received by the leaders, according to Xaud, and is “totally possible.”
It all started with an introductory conversation. I talked about my goals as head of the CBF and said that we want to be closer to FIFA. I praised the event and the level of Brazilian clubs and, finally, I made the country available to host the next World Cup. He (Infantino) was very happy and said that it was totally possible. Now we are going to work to make it happen. It will be a great goal for the president of the CBF as quoted by GLOBO.
South American teams outperform Europe and have better performance in the Club World Cup
In addition to the excellent performance of Brazilian clubs and the excellent audience that the event has been receiving in Brazil, the country’s enthusiasm was what motivated the CBF to take this first step. It is not yet an official candidacy, but the confederation considers that it has already formally expressed its desire.
The meeting between Infantino and the CBF president took place at the FIFA Football Executive Summit in Miami, with representatives from the organization’s 211 member associations. Brazil was represented at the event by president Samir Xaud and vice-president Gustavo Dias Henrique.
Behind the scenes, FIFA is very happy with the Brazilian enthusiasm for the tournament, which is a priority for the current management of the international federation which could help in a possible bid and election as host. Infantino has even been posting images on social media of Brazilian fans watching the games on the country’s beaches.
Although the 2025 edition is being treated as a test event for the following year’s World Cup which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA does not consider it mandatory for the 2029 edition to take place in one of the countries that will host the World Cup in 2030. Morocco, one of the host countries for the 2030 World Cup, had already expressed its desire to host the club tournament alone, but recently the president of the Moroccan federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, stated that the three countries (Morocco, Spain and Portugal) could host the event, in preparation for the national team competition.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, however, has made no secret of the fact that the tournament could take place anywhere, having recently even mentioned South America as a possible destination. According to The Athletic, a second edition in the United States is even being considered, as a commercial move to retain sponsors in the country.
Another country that has already expressed its views on the tournament is Australia. After the success of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the local federation announced that the country would bid to host both the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup (already confirmed) and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. Nothing has been made official yet, however. Not even FIFA has released anything about how the selection will be made.
In addition to hosting the 2014 World Cup, Brazil will host the Women’s World Cup in 2027. The 2029 Club World Cup would use the same structure as other major FIFA events in the country.
Despite the initial idea of expanding to 48 clubs, the second edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is planned for June and July 2029, with 32 teams. If Brazil is the host country, there will be an extra spot, probably destined for the 2028 Brazilian champion. The four Libertadores champions between 2025 and 2028 will also qualify, in addition to two spots via the tournament’s specific Conmebol ranking.
Currently, the following teams have already secured a place in the second edition: Al-Ahli-ASA, champion of the Asian Champions League; Pyramis-EGI, winner of the African continental tournament; Cruz Azul-MEX, champion of this year’s Concachampions; and PSG, European champion.
