United States to host expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025

The United States will host the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

The US is also staging the upcoming Copa America next year and will co-host the World Cup in 2026 with Mexico and Canada.

The Club World Cup features an expanded format that will bring together the top clubs from around the globe. 

The last three Champions League winners – Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City – have already secured their spots in this tournament.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said (via FIFA.com): “The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be the pinnacle of elite professional men’s club football.

“With the required infrastructure in place together with massive local interest, the United States is the ideal host to kick off this new, global tournament.

“With some of the world’s top clubs already qualified, fans from every continent will be bringing their passion and energy to the United States in two years for this significant milestone in our mission to make football truly global.”

The Club World Cup will be staged every four years, commencing in 2025. It promises a heightened level of competition and excitement for football fans worldwide. 

A total of 12 European teams will earn representation in the tournament.

The 2024 Champions League winners and the subsequent eight highest-ranked teams, according to UEFA’s four-year ranking system, will feature.

Brazilian giants Palmeiras and Flamengo will also participate along with Mexican clubs Monterrey and Leon.

They have already secured their places by triumphing in the Copa Libertadores and the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

Major League Soccer (MLS) will be represented by Seattle Sounders in the Club World Cup.

This flurry of high-profile events establishes an unprecedented era of football in the US.