FIFA announces USA to host first Women’s Club World Cup in 2028

FIFA has confirmed that the United States will stage the first-ever Women's Club World Cup in 2028, giving the women's club game its own global championship for the first time.

World football's governing body announced the decision on Thursday, saying the US was chosen for its experience in organising major FIFA tournaments, the maturity of its infrastructure and the strong level of interest in women's football across the country. The United States co-hosted the men's World Cup earlier this year.

The 19-team tournament will run from January 5 to 30, 2028, bringing together top-tier clubs from all six continental confederations. Europe will send six teams, with three apiece from Asia, Africa, North America and South America, and one side representing Oceania.

Seven clubs have already booked their places: Arsenal of England, Barcelona of Spain, Club America Femenil of Mexico, Gotham FC of the United States, Corinthians of Brazil, Wuhan Jiangda of China and Naegohyang of North Korea.

FIFA chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman said the qualified clubs, and a dozen more yet to be decided, will come together to show the strength and depth of women's club football to a global audience, giving teams the chance to tell their stories, grow their fan bases and make history in the United States.

FIFA described the competition as a major milestone for the professionalisation and global expansion of the women's club game, giving elite club sides a true world stage to compete on every four years.

The tournament was originally planned for 2026 but was pushed back by two years so it would have a clear window following the 2027 Women's World Cup and before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.