FIFA Names USA Host for First Women’s Club World Cup in 2028

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association announced that the United States will host the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup from January 5 to 30, 2028, featuring 19 teams in a quadrennial tournament modeled after the men’s event.

United States Hosting the 2028 Tournament

FIFA selected the United States to stage the first-ever global club championship for women, scheduling the 25-day competition for January 2028. Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s head of women’s football, stated that the choice reflects the country’s extensive experience hosting major sports events, its growing market interest in women’s soccer, and its advanced athletic infrastructure. Bareman added that the tournament will give participating clubs a platform to expand their fan bases, increase international visibility, and demonstrate the rapid growth of the women’s professional club game.

Seven Clubs Secure Spots in 19-Team Field

Seven clubs have already secured their places in the 19-team field. The initial participants include English side Arsenal, Spanish side Barcelona, American club Gotham, Mexican side Club América, Brazilian side Corinthians, South Korean team Naijohyang, and Chinese club Wuhan Jiangda. The remaining 12 slots will be distributed across confederations: six additional spots for European clubs, three each from Asia, Africa, CONCACAF, and South America, and one representative from Oceania.

Domestic Leagues Push Back Against January Schedule

The January 2028 window arrives amid a crowded international calendar for the United States, which hosted the men’s FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, co-hosted the 2026 men’s World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, and is slated to host the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup. The U.S. is scheduled to co-host the 2031 Women's World Cup with Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Mexico. However, the timing of the new club tournament has drawn sharp pushback from domestic leagues. The Women’s Premier League in England described scheduling a global club tournament in the middle of the domestic season as potentially “catastrophic,” citing intense fixture congestion and severe scheduling conflicts with local club commitments.

Expansion of FIFA Women’s Competitions

The 2028 tournament represents FIFA’s latest initiative to broaden international competition for women’s clubs. It follows the establishment of the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup, which held its first tournament in February, concluding with Arsenal lifting the trophy. The newly minted Club World Cup will bring together the elite tier of women’s club football from every continent for the first time.