The world governing body confirmed that the new FIFA Club World Cup, which will feature 32 teams in 2025, will be held in the United States.
FIFA announced the host for its expanded tournament on Friday and said the selection process took into account “infrastructure and service requirements, as well as broader strategic objectives for the tournament”.
It added that the decision would allow “synergy” and help grow the game in North America ahead of the 2026 men’s World CupThis year’s event will take place in the US and Canada.
The current Club World Cup involves seven teams — the winner of each continent competition plus the hosts’ national champion — competing for the title.
But FIFA announced plans for a bumper 32-team version in December, with president Gianni Infantino declaring that it would be “like a World Cup”.
Infantino said on Friday: “The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be the pinnacle of elite professional men’s club football, and with the required infrastructure in place together with a massive local interest, the United States is the ideal host to kick off this new, global tournament.
“With some of the world’s top clubs already qualified, fans from every continent will be bringing their passion and energy to the United States in two years’ time for this significant milestone in our mission to make football truly global.”
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(Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)
