Fifa is considering staging the Club World Cup every two years from 2029, a move that could reshape the international football calendar and spark fresh tensions with major leagues and governing bodies. The idea follows the successful launch of the new 32-team format, held this summer in the United States, and comes amid growing pressure from elite European clubs eager for greater access to the competition’s lucrative revenue streams.
Top clubs that missed out on this year’s edition, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Napoli, are pushing for more frequent tournaments to increase participation opportunities. Current rules limit countries to a maximum of two representatives unless multiple continental titles are won, a restriction that left Liverpool sidelined despite qualifying on ranking criteria. Fifa is now reviewing whether to lift the cap, with expansion from 32 to 48 teams also under discussion to mirror the men’s and women’s World Cup formats.
The short-term schedule is locked until 2030 under a memorandum with the European Clubs Association, meaning no Club World Cup will be added before 2029. However, momentum is building for the tournament to be staged again in 2031, effectively creating a two-year cycle. Leading European clubs see the competition as an opportunity to tap into significant prize money and commercial exposure, particularly with backing from Saudi-funded investment groups.
Any decision is likely to face resistance from domestic leagues and Uefa, who have raised concerns about player workload and calendar congestion. The Premier League has already voiced frustration at not being consulted on scheduling, warning that another expansion could further disrupt domestic competitions. Fifa has hinted at the possibility of removing the June international break to free up calendar space, a suggestion that would clash with Uefa’s Nations League finals.
Meanwhile, interest in hosting future editions is intensifying. Unlike this year, when the US was awarded the event without a bidding process, Fifa plans to open formal tenders for 2029. Qatar, Spain, and Morocco have already declared their interest, with details of the process expected later this year.
While legal challenges from leagues and players’ unions remain unresolved, Fifa views the period beyond 2030 as an open slate for negotiation. If the biennial model is adopted, the Club World Cup would become an even more central fixture in global football, offering expanded opportunities for clubs worldwide but also raising the stakes in the battle over control of the calendar.
