March 5 – FIFA will reportedly postpone the inaugural edition of the Women’s Club World Cup to at least 2027.
Originally planned for January and February 2026, the 16-team tournament has faced delays due to unconfirmed details such as the host, format, and qualification process. The postponement is expected be confirmed at the FIFA Council meeting on Wednesday.
According to The Athletic, women’s football clubs, confederations, and leagues have persuaded FIFA to consider a smaller tournament for next year, featuring four to six teams. This smaller format could be held in the years between the larger 16-team event, which is planned to be played on a quadrennial basis.
The news is another setback to FIFA with its mission to unite the world. The expanded men’s Club World Cup has struggled for relevance, but FIFA has always been bullish about launching the female equivalent. On the sidelines of the last Women’s World Cup, FIFA said that it was advancing with plans for a Women’s Club Cup, but event details remained scant. The FIFA Council first greenlighted a Women’s Club World Cup in 2022.
“We are well into the planning for a new Club World Cup,” said FIFA’s chief of women’s football Sarai Bareman in Sydney.
“It’s a very important step forward for women’s football. We need to make sure that in between the World Cups every four years, the club game is retaining the interest that we see from the World Cups. A Club World Cup is a fantastic way to drive momentum in the leagues and the clubs.”
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