Full Breakdown
FIFA and European Football Clubs Form Joint Venture to Operate Club World Cup
6/25/2026, 8:58:43 PM
Joint Venture to Operate the Club World Cup
FIFA announced a partnership with the European Football Clubs (EFC) to jointly run the FIFA Club World Cup. The June 2026 agreement is expected to expand the tournament and increase Premier League clubs’ eligibility.
Recent Format and Club Lobbying
The inaugural 32-team edition in the United States included 12 European, six South American and five CONCACAF clubs. Qualification was limited to the four recent Champions League winners and the eight clubs with the highest UEFA coefficient, with a two-club per nation cap. Liverpool, Barcelona and Napoli missed the tournament, spurring a lobbying push for a larger field.
Stakeholders and Governance
The EFC, chaired by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi, represents over 700 European clubs, including all major sides after Real Madrid’s readmission following a five-year suspension for its role in the aborted European Super League. Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City rank in UEFA’s top eight coefficient, positioning them to benefit from lifting the two-club per nation cap.
Financial Stakes and Commercial Deals
Chelsea’s 2025 win earned about £84 million, part of a £740 million prize pool. A global broadcast deal with DAZN, valued at $1 billion (£0.76 billion), followed investment from Saudi-backed Surj Sports Investments. Meanwhile, £185 million in solidarity payments remain undistributed; an equal split would give roughly £50,000 to each top-flight club worldwide.
Official Outlook and Commercial Assessment
FIFA officials are reported to be impressed by EFC’s role in raising UEFA’s media and sponsorship revenues by about 25 percent over the 2027-2031 cycle. The partnership is seen as a way to boost the Club World Cup’s commercial appeal after earlier difficulties selling television rights.
Club Concerns and Opposition
Clubs absent from the 2025 tournament were promised a share of the £185 million solidarity fund, but the six confederations have not agreed on a redistribution formula. After twelve months, many clubs voiced frustration, saying the delay undermines the tournament’s credibility and hampers financial planning for non-participants.
Unresolved Issues: Distribution of Solidarity Fees
The six continental confederations have not reached consensus on allocating the £185 million solidarity pool, leaving a gap in the 2025 Club World Cup’s financial settlement. This unresolved issue blocks progress toward the planned 2029 edition and its potential expansion to 48 clubs.
Future Outlook: 2029 Tournament and Expansion Prospects
EFC’s involvement is expected to accelerate plans to expand the Club World Cup to 48 teams for the 2029 edition, lifting the two-club per nation cap and potentially raising commercial value. Stakeholders anticipate that a larger field will attract more broadcasting revenue and give additional clubs, especially from the Premier League, a route to the global stage.
