FIFA Club World Cup had new format from 2025

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After the influence of the 2022 World Cup, FIFA is probably gradually realizing the attraction of a tournament featuring big teams. However, at the previous club level, only seven teams participated in the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, which did not make FIFA happy in terms of revenue. That's why the FIFA had new strategies and the first step in this is changing FIFA Club World Cup's format.

As mentioned, the FIFA Club World Cup is currently a tournament with only seven championship clubs from all continents (Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, North America, Oceania, and a guest team). European teams have the privilege of only having to enter the tournament through the semi-finals.

The FIFA Club World Cup will become an attractive tournament in the future

This will change in 2025, when the tournament expands from seven to 32 teams. Details such as the organization cycle, specific time of the year, and club selection have not been shared by FIFA.

"The World Cup and some other tournaments, such as the Euro, are proof of the success of the four-team group format. However, when the World Cup increases to 48 teams, we will discuss about dividing into 12 or 16 groups" - Infantino - the President of FIFA said.

Also in the press conference on December 16, the FIFA President said that he is also considering the possibility of keeping the format of dividing the four-team group at the World Cup or changing it to a three-team group.

FIFA President Gianni Ifantino at a press conference on December 16

For football fans, this change promises that the FIFA Club World Cup will become a more professional and attractive tournament than the FIFA World Cup, but clubs will certainly not be satisfied if the new FIFA Club World Cup version is actually applied. It also means that the club's stars will have to "plot" morwill haved will t have no time to rest after the season ends. Not to mention that there will be years of overlap between the FIFA Club World Cup and major international tournamentsas theuch as World Cup, EURO, Copa America. Clubs, especially European clubs, will be worried about dividing forces appropriately for too many competitions and ensuring the fitness of players for important tournaments. Just like the 2022 World Cup, the players returning to the club will certainly have many physical problems as well as injuries.  

In the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid is the most successful club with 4 titles, followed by Barcelona with 3 trophies. For the past 10 years, the FIFA Club World Cup has been the only stage for European representatives. In 2012, Corinthians (Brazil) was the last club from another continent to win this tournament.Currently, the team holding the trophy is Chelsea.

Real Madrid is the most successful club at the FIFA Club World Cup

The new format will be applied from FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 will remain the rule, with seven teams participating, including the two host clubs, Wydad Athletic (champion of the Moroccan league and CAF Champions League), Al Ahly (runner-up of the CAF Champions League), Real Madrid (winner of the UEFA Champions League), Flamengo (winner of the Copa Libertadores), Al Hilal (AFC Champions League winner), Seattle Sounders (CONCACAF champion), and Auckland City (Oceania champions). Morocco has been chosen to host the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 due to its strong performance at the World Cup 2022.