Fifa consider holding Club World Cup every two years from 2029 – and expanding it to 48 teams

Real Madrid understood to be driving force with ultra lucrative event possibly expanding beyond 32 teams already
FAUX GOLD: President Donald Trump reaches out to shake hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as Chelsea's Reece James (24) lifts the trophy following the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

FAUX GOLD: President Donald Trump reaches out to shake hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as Chelsea's Reece James (24) lifts the trophy following the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Fifa will consider holding the Club World Cup every two years from 2029 in a move that would put more pressure on the international calendar and trigger another backlash from the Premier League and Uefa.

The next Club World Cup is due to take place in four years’ time, following the first expanded 32-team tournament held in the US this summer, but the world governing body is under pressure from leading clubs to make it a biennial event. Real Madrid are understood to have raised the issue of moving to a two-year cycle during talks with Fifa in Miami in June, a proposal that has gained support from other clubs who failed to qualify for this year’s tournament, including Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool and Napoli.

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