(Paris) The first edition of the Club World Cup expanded to 32 teams and scheduled for 2025 has been awarded to the United States, the International Football Federation (FIFA) announced on Friday.
“The host country selection process took into consideration infrastructure and service requirements, as well as the broader strategic objectives of the tournament,” FIFA said in a statement released after the meeting. its Board held by videoconference.
The Club World Cup, which will now be held every four years, has so far been held every year with only seven teams participating. The next edition under this formula will take place in December 2023 in Saudi Arabia.
The United States will then organize in 2026, with Canada and Mexico, the first World Cup with 48 countries – instead of 32.
“The decision was made based on the United States’ position as a recognized leader in hosting global events and because it would allow FIFA to maximize synergies with the delivery of the World Cup. 2026,” added FIFA.
The dates, host cities and match schedule for this new tournament will be established later, FIFA said.
FIFA had already defined in February 2022 the distribution of qualifying places by continent for this competition with four clubs qualified for Asia, four for Africa, four for Central and North America, six for South America. , one for Oceania, twelve for Europe and one for the host country.
“The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be the pinnacle of elite professional men’s club football, and with the required infrastructure in place as well as massive local interest, the United States is the perfect host. to kick off this new global tournament,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in the statement.
The FIFA Council has also postponed the launch of the application process for the organization of the 2030 World Cup, which will begin after its next meeting scheduled for September or October 2023. The name of the host country (s) will be announced at the end of 2024.
