MADRID, 23 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The FIFA Council unanimously chose the United States this Friday as the host of the new Club World Cup, expanded to 32 teams and to be played in 2025.
“The decision was made after taking into account that the United States has demonstrated its exceptional ability to organize competitions of a global nature. In addition, the designation will allow them to take advantage of the synergies created by hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from which they will benefit both competitions and the development of soccer in North America,” says the official statement.
However, the FIFA project still has pending “conversations with the relevant interest groups” to finalize the dates, venues and calendar of this new tournament. “The 2025 World Cup will be the biggest event for the elite of professional men’s club soccer,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“Now that some of the world’s biggest clubs have qualified, fans from every continent will travel to the United States in two years’ time with energy and enthusiasm for this historic event, which is part of our mission to achieve a truly global football”, he adds.
The confirmed participating clubs are: Al Hilal, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Chelsea FC and Real Madrid. During the four seasons prior to the tournament, the winners of the top club competition from five of the six confederations will win an automatic pass to the new Club World Cup.
In another vein, the FIFA Council named Indonesia host of the U-17 World Cup, Colombia host of the U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024, the Dominican Republic host of the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 and Uzbekistan host of the 2024 Futsal World Cup.
For its part, the 2023 Beach Soccer World Cup, to be held in the United Arab Emirates, has been postponed from November 16-26, 2023 to February 15-25, 2024.