United States to host first Women's Club World Cup in 2028

The United States will host the first Women's Club World Cup, from 5 to 30 January 2028. The FIFA Council Bureau confirmed the decision on Thursday 22 October. Nineteen clubs from the six confederations will take part in a competition designed to give a new dimension to meetings between the top women's sides.

The American bid rests on proven strengths: suitable infrastructure, experience of hosting major international events and marked interest in women's football. After the first men's Club World Cup with 32 teams, held in 2025, the United States will thus stage another inaugural edition.

Beyond the host nation, the stakes are sporting: clubs used to testing themselves on their own continent will be able to measure their ambitions against the best in the world.

Continental form at the heart of qualification

Results in the main continental interclub competitions will form the basis of selection. The reference period covers seasons completed between 2024 and 2027, with priority given to continental champions and club rankings used to fill the remaining places according to each confederation's own rules.

Seven teams are already assured of a place: Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Club América Femenil, Gotham FC, Corinthians, Naegohyang Women's FC and Wuhan Jiangda. The field therefore remains to be completed, but this first list already gives an idea of the diversity of opponents to expect.

Three representatives for Africa

For African clubs, the tournament offers a further chance to test themselves against international benchmarks. CAF will have three representatives: two will go straight into the group stage, while the third will have to come through the play-offs.

The distinction matters: taking part in the tournament will not guarantee everyone a place in the groups. In total, six clubs will contest the play-offs for three places. The winners will join the thirteen teams admitted directly to a group stage of sixteen.

Bigger preparation fund for the 2027 World Cup

The announcement is part of a series of decisions that also concern national teams. The Women's World Cup will be played in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027. For that competition, the preparation fund will be raised to $2.5 million per participating federation, so it is not a global pot to be shared out.

The Council Bureau approved the principles of the financial redistribution model. Further details are still to be examined at the next FIFA Council meeting in December 2026.

Between the national-team World Cup in 2027 and the club event in 2028, women's football will have two complementary showcases. For African sides, the challenge will be to turn the place reserved for them in this new tournament into a real chance of competing on the pitch.