FIFA Considering Expanding Club World Cup to 48 Teams

FIFA is reportedly weighing the possibility of expanding the FIFA Club World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, according to The Guardian. The proposal is under early-stage discussion and will likely depend on the success of the inaugural expanded edition of the tournament, which kicks off this weekend.

The motivation behind the potential expansion is clear: clubs left out of the current format — particularly in Europe — are lobbying hard to be included, especially with a reported prize pool of $1 billion on the line. The current format limits participation to a maximum of two clubs per country, excluding giants like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, despite their global stature and financial clout.

Premier League clubs are said to be leading the push for broader qualification rules, arguing that the tournament should reflect the commercial and competitive realities of modern football. With the event winner poised to earn up to $125 million — nearly matching the prize for winning the UEFA Champions League — the stakes have never been higher.

The expanded Club World Cup, debuting in 2025 in the United States, is already a radical shift from the previous format. Should FIFA proceed with a 48-team version, it would mirror the organization’s approach to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has already been expanded to 48 national teams.