FIFA considers expanding Club World Cup to 48 teams amid growing pressure

FIFA is weighing a potential expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, just as the newly revamped tournament prepares to kick off.

The global football governing body is reportedly responding to pressure from elite clubs that missed out on the current format, according to a report by The Guardian.

A consultation process is expected to begin soon, as FIFA evaluates the feasibility of including more clubs in future editions.

This year’s tournament marks the debut of the expanded 32-team format, a significant increase from the previous version.

However, the growing chorus of clubs left out of the competition—many of them commercially influential—has led to renewed lobbying efforts. 

These clubs argue that with such a massive global following and revenue-generating capacity, they deserve a chance to compete on the world stage.

The financial incentives at play are significant. The winners of the Club World Cup stand to earn up to £93 million ($125 million), a sum only slightly less than what Paris Saint-Germain received for winning the UEFA Champions League.

With FIFA having already sold broadcasting rights to DAZN for a staggering $1 billion (£737 million), the commercial appetite for expansion appears strong.

Premier League teams, in particular, are keen to see the tournament grow further. Current regulations limit the number of teams from one country to two, a rule that has excluded clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal from participating despite their recent performances and commercial clout. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester City have already secured their spots through Champions League victories between 2021 and 2024.

The Club World Cup officially kicks off this Sunday, with a high-profile opening match between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly.

Other top fixtures include Chelsea facing Los Angeles FC on June 16 and Manchester City taking on Wydad Casablanca two days later.

The tournament promises to be a major spectacle, setting the stage for FIFA’s decision on the future of the competition.

With both the men’s and women’s World Cups already expanding to 48 teams, a similar move for the Club World Cup would align with FIFA’s broader strategy of inclusivity and growth.

Should the 2025 edition prove successful in terms of viewership, competition quality, and revenue, the push for a 48-team format could soon become a reality.