Infantino envisions a global Club World Cup featuring 32 clubs, adopting a structure reminiscent of the international tournament model used for national teams.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has outlined a plan for a 2025 Club World Cup designed to bring together 32 clubs from across continents. The goal is to boost competitive balance among top teams worldwide while creating significant new revenue streams for the sport’s global ecosystem. This concept follows a long line of discussions about expanding club competition and aims to elevate the sport’s club-level spectacle on the world stage.
What the proposed 2025 FIFA Club World Cup could look like: format, timing, and entrants
In its early description, the plan mirrors the World Cup format used for national teams, featuring a group stage followed by knockout rounds that culminate in a final. Infantino noted that such a framework faced disruptions during the Covid-19 period but is slated to return in 2025. At this stage, a formal host country or city has not been officially announced, leaving room for negotiation and logistics planning.
Structure and potential participants of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
The proposed event would bring 32 clubs together, offering opportunities for new participants from Africa, Asia, and Oceania while maintaining a strong representation from Europe and South America, regions that have traditionally dominated the tournament’s later stages. The format would be designed to ensure broad geographic participation and to raise the level of competition among clubs that frequently compete in continental championships in their own regions.
Source: Goal