FIFA names US host for inaugural Women's Club World Cup in 2028

The tournament will bring together 19 clubs from six confederations, with seven teams already qualified

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

FIFA has announced that the United States will host the first Women's Club World Cup in 2028, a 19-team tournament scheduled for January 5-30 that year. Seven clubs have already secured their places, including Arsenal, Barcelona and Corinthians.

World football's governing body FIFA said Thursday that the decision was based on the United States' experience hosting FIFA tournaments, its mature infrastructure and services, and the level of stakeholder interest in women's football in the country. The tournament marks what FIFA called a major milestone for the professionalisation and global expansion of the women's club game.

The competition will feature 19 clubs: three each from Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North America (CONCACAF) and South America (CONMEBOL), six from Europe (UEFA) and one from Oceania (OFC). Seven clubs have already qualified: Arsenal (England), Club America Femenil (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain), Gotham (United States), Naegohyang (North Korea), Corinthians (Brazil) and Wuhan Jiangda (China).

"These seven clubs, and a dozen more, will come together to show the strength and depth of women's club football to a global audience," said FIFA chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman. "They will have the opportunity to tell their story, expand their fan base and represent their club on the world stage. They have thoroughly earned this opportunity to be part of history in the United States."

The tournament was initially slated for 2026 but was pushed back by two years to find a clear window following the 2027 women's World Cup and ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The US has a proven track record of hosting large sporting events, including the men's 2026 World Cup, won by Spain earlier this year. The men's FIFA Club World Cup, won most recently by Chelsea against Paris St Germain in the 2025 final, was also staged in the US.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The tournament gives elite women's club sides a global stage every four years, potentially boosting investment and visibility.
The scheduling between the 2027 women's World Cup and the 2028 Olympics creates a distinct window for club competition.
Seven already-qualified clubs from five continents show growing global depth in women's club football.

Background

FIFA announced the Women's Club World Cup as part of its efforts to professionalise and expand women's club football. The decision to host in the United States draws on the country's experience staging the men's 2026 World Cup and the 2025 men's Club World Cup final. The tournament was originally planned for 2026 but was delayed to avoid clashing with other major events.

Key Perspectives

FIFA: The governing body sees the tournament as a milestone that will give elite clubs a true world stage. Chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman said the qualified clubs have earned the opportunity to be part of history and will show the strength and depth of women's club football to a global audience. Qualified clubs: Teams such as Arsenal, Barcelona and Corinthians gain the chance to compete on a global stage, attract new fans and build their brand internationally. Potential challenges: No critics or concerns are mentioned in FIFA's announcement. The competition's success will depend on attendance, broadcast reach and how it slots into the already crowded women's football calendar.

What to Watch

Which additional 12 clubs qualify from their continental competitions.
How the tournament's timing between the women's World Cup and Olympics affects player availability and fan interest.
Viewer numbers and media rights deals, which will signal the level of global appetite for women's club football.

Sources

FIFA announces USA to host first Women’s Club World Cup in 2028 · Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera

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12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

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SupportedFIFA named the United States host of the inaugural Women's Club World Cup in 2028.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The United States will host the inaugural women’s football Club World Cup in 2028, FIFA announced Thursday.”
SupportedThe tournament will bring together 19 clubs from six confederations.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “It will bring together 19 top-tier clubs from all six continental confederations.”
SupportedSeven clubs have already qualified: Arsenal, Club America Femenil, Barcelona, Gotham, Naegohyang, Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Seven clubs have already secured their berths at the tournament: Arsenal (England), Club America Femenil (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain), Gotham (United States), Naegohyang (North Korea), Corinthians (Brazil) and Wuhan Jiangda (China).”
SupportedThe tournament is scheduled for January 5–30, 2028.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The first women’s Club World Cup will be staged from January 5-30, 2028.”
SupportedFIFA said the decision was based on the United States' experience hosting FIFA tournaments, its infrastructure and services, and stakeholder interest in women's football.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““The decision was taken in view of its experience in organising FIFA tournaments, the maturity of its infrastructure and services and the level of stakeholder interest in women’s football in the country,” world football’s governing body said.”
SupportedSarai Bareman said: “These seven clubs, and a dozen more, will come together to show the strength and depth of women's club football to a global audience.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““These seven clubs, and a dozen more, will come together to show the strength and depth of women’s club football to a global audience,” said FIFA chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman.”
SupportedBareman said the clubs could tell their story, expand their fan base and represent their club on the world stage, and had earned the opportunity to be part of history in the United States.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““They will have the opportunity to tell their story, expand their fan base and represent their club on the world stage. They have thoroughly earned this opportunity to be part of history in the United States.””
SupportedFIFA called the tournament a major milestone for the professionalisation and global expansion of the women's club game.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “FIFA said the introduction of the tournament marked “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”.”
SupportedThe tournament will have three clubs each from Asia, Africa, North America and South America, six from Europe and one from Oceania.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North America) and CONMEBOL (South America) will be represented by three clubs apiece at the competition, one team will fly the flag for the OFC (Oceania) and six of Europe’s best sides will represent UEFA.”
SupportedThe tournament was initially planned for 2026 and pushed back two years to leave a clear window after the 2027 Women's World Cup and before the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Initially slated for 2026, FIFA pushed the inaugural tournament back by two years so it enjoys a clear window following the 2027 women’s World Cup and ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.”
SupportedThe men's 2026 World Cup was won by Spain earlier this year.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The US has a proven track record of hosting large sporting events, notably staging the men’s 2026 World Cup, which was won by Spain earlier this year.”
SupportedChelsea most recently won the men's FIFA Club World Cup by beating Paris St Germain in the 2025 final, which was staged in the United States.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Chelsea are the reigning men’s FIFA Club World Cup holders, after beating Paris St Germain in the 2025 final, which was also staged in the US.”