- Özgür Töre
The FIFA Council has unanimously appointed the United States as the host of the new and expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup that is due to take place in 2025.
In a virtual meeting hosted by FIFA from its headquarters, the FIFA Council has designated the United States as the host country for the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup to be held in 2025. The host selection process took into consideration the necessary infrastructure and service requirements, as well as broader strategic objectives for the tournament.
The decision was made based on the United States’ successful track record for staging global events, which FIFA believed would allow them to optimise synergies with the FIFA World Cup 2026 to the benefit of both tournaments and the development of football in the North American region. FIFA will engage with the relevant stakeholders to finalise the match schedule, dates, and venues of the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the event as the peak of elite professional men’s club football, and the United States as the perfect host country to initiate it. With top clubs from around the world already qualified, fans emanating from all continents will bring their passion and energy to the United States in two years’ time, marking a significant milestone in FIFA’s goal of making football an entirely global sport.
The FIFA Council had already confirmed the slot allocation per confederation and key principles of access earlier this year.
FIFA World Cup 2030™ bidding process
To ensure additional consultation with all key stakeholders, in relation to the FIFA World Cup 2030™, which will mark the centenary of men’s football’s showpiece tournament, the FIFA Council agreed to postpone the formal launch of the bidding process. Therefore, the relevant Bidding Regulations will be presented for approval at the next FIFA Council meeting, due to take place in September/October 2023, with the bidding process to be officially launched thereafter. The expected appointment of the host(s) by the FIFA Congress will also move from Q3 2024 to Q4 2024.
The FIFA Council also approved the Overview of Hosting Requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2030™, which was prepared by the FIFA administration to allow all interested member associations to better understand the requirements for hosting the competition, including with regard to the required infrastructure, the legal framework that must be established and the environmental and social objectives that should be pursued.
Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition approved
The FIFA Council also approved the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition, which kicks off in September 2023.
“With 48 teams participating in the next FIFA World Cup, the tournament will have an unprecedented impact on world football, especially as more nations will have the opportunity to secure their place to shine on the global stage,” said President Infantino.
Hosts of FIFA Congress and tournaments
Additionally, the FIFA Council confirmed that the 74th FIFA Congress, due to take place on 17 May 2024, will be hosted in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Council also appointed Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™, Colombia as the host of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024™, the Dominican Republic as the host of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024™ and Uzbekistan as the host of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024™. The time frame for the respective competitions will be confirmed in due course.
The dates of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2023™, which is due to take place in the United Arab Emirates, were moved from 16-26 November 2023 to 15–25 February 2024.
