FIFA Weighs Expanding Club World Cup to 48 Teams

FIFA is considering expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams, mirroring the format used in the 2026 World Cup in North America, which will be the first to feature 48 national teams. According to a report in The Guardian on Friday, June 25, FIFA appears to like the new World Cup structure and wants to apply it to its summer club competition as well.

The organization is said to be close to a cooperation agreement with the European Club Association (EFC). Such a move would likely increase the number of European clubs in the tournament and open the door for more Premier League teams to qualify for the prestigious event.

The main driver is financial. In the most recent tournament, FIFA distributed about $1 billion in prize money, plus roughly $250 million in solidarity payments to clubs that did not take part. Chelsea, which won the competition, reportedly earned about $115 million.

Estimates suggest that expanding to 48 teams could raise total prize money to roughly $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion, mainly through higher broadcasting revenue, sponsorships and ticket sales. FIFA believes that bringing in more elite clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City, would significantly increase the tournament's commercial value and attract a larger global audience. Formal talks on the club tournament's format are expected to begin soon, with expansion to 48 teams currently seen as the leading option.