US: FIFA has confirmed that the first-ever Women’s Club World Cup will be held in January 2028, marking a major milestone in the global women’s game. The tournament will be staged during the mid-season window of Europe’s leading domestic leagues, a move that is expected to generate both excitement and logistical challenges.
The competition was originally planned for 2026 but was postponed earlier this year. FIFA said the delay was intended to give clubs, leagues, and players more time to prepare, while easing pressure on athletes already coping with increasingly crowded calendars. The host nation has yet to be announced.
While the timing aligns with the off-season of the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League, it is likely to disrupt league schedules across Europe, where most top competitions will be in full swing at that time.
The tournament format will begin with a play-in round featuring six clubs. Three teams will advance from that stage to join 13 others in the group phase. The group stage will consist of four groups of four teams each, with the top two from every group moving on to the knockout rounds.
In terms of qualification, Asia, Africa, North and Central America, and South America will each receive two direct places. Europe will have the largest representation, with five clubs earning automatic berths.
Alongside the revised timeline for the Club World Cup, FIFA has also introduced another elite competition, the Women’s Champions Cup. That event will bring together the six continental club champions, with its semi-finals and final scheduled to be played in London in January 2026.
Together, the two tournaments underline FIFA’s push to expand the global profile and commercial appeal of women’s club football, while offering players and fans a new stage at the highest level.
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