FIFA eyes bigger Club World Cup: 48-team dream for 2029, with Spain and Morocco in the spotlight

What’s Changing About the Club World Cup?

FIFA is studying a new modification to the Club World Cup format, following a refreshed edition that debuted in the United States last summer, aiming for a clearer global calendar.

Three years ago, FIFA approved increasing the number of teams to 32, starting with the 2025 edition, a move designed to boost competition and commercial appeal.

Real Madrid proposed a format where the tournament would be held every two years, during talks with FIFA in Miami in June last year, but the idea stalled amid opposition from UEFA and Europe’s domestic leagues, amid ongoing debates among stakeholders worldwide.

The Guardian reported that UEFA is now prepared to back FIFA’s proposal to expand to 48 teams for the 2029 edition, signaling improved relations between UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, according to the Guardian report.

UEFA had previously opposed expansion over concerns it could threaten the Champions League, but it has shifted its stance provided the tournament is not staged every two years and would align with a more predictable European calendar.

Even as some UEFA officials worry about the massive prize money destabilizing European football, expanding to 48 clubs is viewed as less disruptive than a biennial event, and would still offer a lucrative revenue stream for clubs.

While details remain unsettled, European clubs are expected to be among the main beneficiaries, with the number of qualifying spots rising from 12 to 16 by 2029, a shift that European leagues hope will boost exposure and competition.

Hosts, Expansion and the European Angle

Spain and Morocco are among the leading hosts for the next edition in summer 2029, ahead of both nations becoming key hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with Spanish league officials having sounded optimistic as well.

Punchlines: If they add 48 teams, the trophy might need a passport. And if the calendar gets any tighter, my schedule will hire a referee.