FIFA announced Thursday that the United States will host the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, a 19-team tournament scheduled for Jan. 5-30, 2028, according to ESPN. The decision adds another major FIFA event to a country that has become a frequent host of the governing body’s top competitions.
The Main Development
FIFA chief women’s football officer Dame Sarai Bareman said the federation ran a thorough review before settling on the United States for the new club competition.
“We undertook a detailed assessment to identify the most suitable host for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup,” Bareman said, according to ESPN. “Ultimately, the United States’ recent excellence in staging top FIFA tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women’s football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option.”
Host cities have not been finalized. Los Angeles and San Diego were previously reported as candidates, per Sporting News, though FIFA has not confirmed venues.
What It Means
Seven clubs have already secured spots in the 19-team field: Arsenal, Club América, Barcelona, Gotham FC, Naegohyang Women’s FC, SC Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda WFC. Continental champions from 2024 through 2027 will also qualify, with club rankings used to fill out the remaining slots and determine extra allocations for clubs that win multiple UEFA Women’s Champions League titles in that span.
Gotham FC’s spot gives the NWSL direct representation in the new event. The January window falls during the NWSL offseason but lands in the middle of the European season, requiring scheduling accommodations for participating clubs.
Context
The United States has hosted a string of FIFA showcases in recent years, including the expanded Men’s Club World Cup in 2025 and the men’s World Cup in 2026. The country is also set to co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, an uncontested bid FIFA expects to formally approve next month.
FIFA has separately approved $2.5 million in preparation funding for each participating federation ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup, matching what nations received for the 2026 men’s tournament and up from $960,000 per team in 2023. FIFA said 2027 Women’s World Cup players will receive the same service levels as their male counterparts did in 2026, with a specific portion of surplus revenue set aside for players.
What’s Next
Miami will host the scaled-down FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in January. FIFA has not announced a timeline for confirming host cities or the full qualification field for the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup.
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