FIFA set to Postpone Women's Club World Cup until 2027 amid concerns over readiness
FIFA is set to delay the inaugural Women's Club World Cup until 2027 following concerns from stakeholders in the women's game that more time is needed to ensure the tournament's success.
The global governing body had initially announced plans to host the 16-team tournament in January and February 2026, but with less than a year to go, several key details remain unresolved, including the host, format, qualification criteria, and broadcast and commercial deals.
Clubs, confederations, leagues, and the players' union have persuaded FIFA to postpone the launch of the tournament, citing the need for more time to get it right.
Instead, FIFA plans to push ahead with a smaller Women's Club World Cup featuring four to six teams, which would take place in 2026. This tournament would serve as a precursor to the larger 16-team competition, which would run on a four-year cycle.
The decision to delay the launch of the Women's Club World Cup is expected to be formalised at the next meeting of the FIFA Council on Wednesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had initially proposed the tournament in May 2023, stating that it would provide players with an opportunity to perform on the global stage and develop themselves in all continents of the world.
However, it now appears that Infantino and other stakeholders have decided to adopt a more cautious approach, starting with a smaller tournament before expanding to the larger 16-team competition in the future.
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