Full Breakdown
United States Selected to Host Inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 22, 2026 FIFA announced that the United States will stage the first Women’s Club World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 5 to January 30, 2028 and will feature 19 clubs representing all six continental confederations. Host cities have not yet been disclosed.
Background & Context
FIFA’s decision follows a series of high-profile events that the United States recently hosted, including the men’s 2026 World Cup and the expanded men’s Club World Cup in 2025. The competition will be held every four years, mirroring the men’s Club World Cup format.
Tournament Structure and Qualified Clubs (Data & Statistics)
- Total participants: 19 clubs (seven confirmed, twelve to be determined).
- Confederation allocation: AFC 3, CAF 3, CONCACAF 3, CONMEBOL 3, UEFA 6, OFC 1.
- Confirmed clubs: Arsenal (England), Club América (Mexico), FC Barcelona (Spain), Gotham FC (United States), Naegohyang Women’s FC (North Korea), SC Corinthians (Brazil), Wuhan Jiangda WFC (China).
- Qualification criteria: Continental champions from the 2024-2027 seasons receive automatic berths; remaining slots will be filled via a club-ranking system developed in cooperation with the confederations.
- Financial support: Each member association participating in the 2027 Women’s World Cup will receive $2.5 million in preparation funds, matching the amount allocated for the 2026 men’s World Cup.
Official Statements & Responses
In addition to the Club World Cup, FIFA confirmed that the United States is slated to co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup alongside Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico, and will host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Number of clubs: Most sources state the inaugural edition will involve 19 clubs, but the Jamaica Observer reports the event will bring together 16 top-tier clubs. The discrepancy has not been clarified by FIFA.
- Tournament format: While the overall field is set at 19, several outlets (e.g., Sporting News) indicate that 16 teams will compete in the main competition phase, with the remaining three participating in play-in matches. Details on the exact format remain pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These seven clubs, and a dozen more, will come together to show the strength and depth of women’s club football to a global audience,” — Share FIFA
- “We undertook a detailed assessment to identify the most suitable host for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup,” — Sarai Bareman
- “They will have the opportunity to tell their story, expand their fan base and represent their club on the world stage. They have thoroughly earned this opportunity to be part of history in the United States.” — Share FIFA
- “Alongside the vibrant and passionate women’s football ecosystem in the United States, the qualified clubs, government, host cities, our commercial and media partners and more, our mission will be to set an impressive standard for global women’s club football and a benchmark for the future,” — Sarai Bareman
These statements capture FIFA’s rationale for the host selection and its vision for the competition’s impact on women’s club football.