USA selected to host first ever FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028 | Image@ FIFA
The United States has been chosen to stage the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup from January 5 to 30, 2028, as part of efforts to promote women’s football and increase investment in the sport.
The competition will feature 19 teams representing six continental confederations, bringing leading women’s clubs together for a global tournament held every four years.
FIFA’s decision follows an assessment of potential host nations, with America’s experience in organising major international sporting events, modern facilities and growing interest in women’s football contributing to its selection.
FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Dame Sarai Bareman said the country offered the right environment to establish a high standard for the new competition and create opportunities for participating clubs to reach wider audiences.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has approved new financial arrangements for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Under the measures, each participating national football association will receive US$2.5 million in preparation funding, bringing the amount in line with allocations for teams competing at the 2026 men’s tournament.
The money is expected to be disbursed before December 2026. Players at the Brazilian competition will also benefit from service provisions equivalent to those available to their male counterparts.
Additional provisions cover guaranteed payments for players, support for clubs through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme and financial allocations for national teams participating in the qualification campaign.
FIFA further indicated that any surplus revenue from the women’s championship would be shared among participating associations, with a designated portion set aside for players.
More information on the distribution arrangements is expected at the FIFA Council meeting in December 2026.
Brazil will become the first South American country to stage the Women’s World Cup when it hosts the 2027 edition.
For the 2028 club competition, Europe will receive six places, while Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean, and South America will each have three slots. Oceania will be represented by one team.
Qualification will largely depend on continental championship victories between 2024 and 2027, alongside club rankings determined by sporting performance.
Confederations with fewer than four allocated positions, including Africa, will use continental titles and performance-based rankings to determine their representatives. No restriction on the number of clubs from a single country will apply to these regions.
European qualification will prioritise winners of the continent’s leading club tournament, with other positions decided through rankings.
Generally, no more than two teams from one national association will qualify, except when more than two clubs from that country win the continental title during the eligibility period.
FIFA will collaborate with the respective confederations to develop the ranking system, which will be reviewed following the first edition.
Separately, the governing body has revised the timetable for the final stage of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, with the semi-final matches scheduled for consecutive days in Miami.
Mexico’s Club América Femenil will face the winners of Round Two from Asia, Africa or Oceania on January 26, 2027, at Nu Stadium, the new home of Inter Miami CF.
Spanish side FC Barcelona Femení will meet the South American Women’s Copa Libertadores champions the following day.
The third-place playoff and final are scheduled for January 31, 2027, with kick-off times yet to be announced.
The competition’s opening round will begin in China on October 25, 2026, when North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC takes on New Zealand’s Auckland United FC at 3 p.m. local time.
The latest decisions reflect FIFA’s broader strategy to strengthen women’s football through expanded international competitions, improved financial benefits and increased opportunities for clubs and players to gain global recognition.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong