FIFA’s long-awaited Women’s Club World Cup will officially debut in 2028, but the decision to delay its launch – while rushing to introduce a Women’s Champions Cup in 2026 – has sparked a storm of questions.
FIFA has confirmed that the Women’s Club World Cup, initially scheduled to debut in 2026, will now launch in 2028.
In its place, FIFA will introduce the Women’s Champions Cup in 2026, a new global club competition set to be held annually in non-Club World Cup years.
The Big Reveal: Two New Tournaments, One Big Question Mark
FIFA’s plan includes:
The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, set to launch in 2028 as a 16-team tournament, held every four years.
The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, launching in 2026, as an annual global tournament in non-Club World Cup years, featuring six teams.
Both competitions aim to elevate the global club game, but questions linger about funding, scheduling, and player welfare.
How Will the Women’s Club World Cup Work?
The Women’s Club World Cup will feature 16 teams with spots allocated as follows:
UEFA (Europe): Five direct spots
CAF (Africa): Two direct spots
CONMEBOL (South America): Two direct spots
AFC (Asia): Two direct spots
Concacaf (North America): Two direct spots
OFC (Oceania): No direct spots
Play-in tournament: Six teams (from CAF, CONMEBOL, AFC, and Concacaf) will compete for three final slots
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the tournament as “a defining moment in women’s football,” but the two-year delay has left many questioning FIFA’s commitment to the game’s rapid growth.
FIFA’s “Quick Fix” – Introducing the Women’s Champions Cup!
The first edition is scheduled for January 28 to February 3, 2026, with the following qualification format:
UEFA Women’s Champions League winner – Automatic semifinal spot
Concacaf Women’s Champions League winner – Automatic semifinal spot
CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores Femenina winner – Automatic semifinal spot
CAF Women’s Champions League winners (Will compete in a knockout round to determine the final semifinalist)
AFC Women’s Champions League winners (Will compete in a knockout round to determine the final semifinalist)
OFC Women’s Champions League winners (Will compete in a knockout round to determine the final semifinalist)
However, the format will be lopsided. The UEFA, Concacaf, and CONMEBOL champions automatically qualify for the semifinals, while the other three teams must battle for the last Final Four spot.
FIFA has not yet announced where the first edition will be hosted, but sources indicate it will take place in either Europe, North America, or South America.
Infantino’s Big Words – But Do They Hold Weight?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the announcement as a “historic turning point” for the women’s game.
“This is a defining moment. For years, we have seen the explosion of women’s football at the national team level.”
“Now, we are bringing that same energy to the club game. This will be the biggest global showcase for women’s clubs in history.”
Critics Rip FIFA’s Plan Apart
While the idea of a Women’s Club World Cup has been widely supported, critics argue FIFA has rushed the process, failed to address financial concerns, and ignored scheduling conflicts.
Meghann Burke, the executive director of the NWSL Players Association, didn’t hold back in her criticism.
“However, the lack of planning, lack of consideration to workload management and schedule compaction and lack of broadcast or sponsorship considerations, not to mention their failure to adequately fund prize money, compound the problems we are already trying to solve.”
“FIFA needs to involve its stakeholders, like the NWSLPA and NWSL, for an event like this to reach its potential. Otherwise, they are hamstringing women’s football yet again like they’ve done since time immemorial.”
Burke also pointed to player fatigue and overloaded schedules, an issue that has been widely discussed since FIFA expanded the Women’s World Cup to 32 teams and introduced more international windows.
No Mention of Prize Money? A Major Red Flag
One glaring omission from FIFA’s announcement: prize money.
Unlike the men’s Club World Cup, which FIFA has committed $100 million (increased prize money) in prize money for, there was no mention of financial backing for the women’s tournaments.
Will Clubs Even Take It Seriously?
Another major concern: will elite European clubs even care about the Club World Cup?
UEFA clubs dominate women’s football, with Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea, Bayern, and Arsenal consistently leading the way.
Some clubs, including Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta, have privately expressed doubts about sending their best players to a competition with uncertain financial rewards.
Travel concerns have also been raised, with European clubs worried about sending players to underdeveloped football markets where infrastructure and medical support may be lacking.
What’s Next?
2026: The first Women’s Champions Cup (six-team tournament).
2028: The first Women’s Club World Cup (16-team tournament).
