FIFA reportedly to make controversial decision on the 2026 Women’s Club World Cup

In what was initially seen as a significant step forward for the global promotion of women’s soccer, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, set to be held in January-February 2026. However, with less than a year remaining before the scheduled kickoff, FIFA is reportedly preparing to make a controversial decision regarding the competition.

During its May 2024 meeting in Bangkok, the FIFA Council confirmed plans for a 16-team tournament to be held every four years, set to take place during the European domestic season, between the Women’s Champions League group stages and knockout rounds. Infantino expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament at the time:

“To this date, we don’t have a global club competition for women. Yet we are asking (men’s) clubs to form women’s clubs all over the world… For this reason, (we want) to have a 16-team FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in January/February 2026,” Infantino stated. However, with no host nation announced and critical logistical details still unresolved, FIFA is now expected to delay the tournament.

According to The Athletic, FIFA is expected to postpone next year’s Women’s Club World Cup due to the lack of a confirmed host nation, tournament format, and qualification criteria. Nearly ten months after its announcement, the tournament remains without a clear structure, which has also hindered the securing of commercial and broadcast deals.

While FIFA has yet to release an official statement, reports indicate that the decision is expected to be formalized during the next FIFA Council meeting on Wednesday.

What’s next for the Women’s Club World Cup?

With the 16-team format postponed, FIFA is reportedly considering a smaller-scale Women’s Club World Cup in 2025, featuring four to six teams. This would mirror the Men’s Intercontinental Cup model, including clubs from different federations worldwide.

As for the original 16-team tournament, FIFA is expected to delay its launch by at least 12 months. Officials believe that postponing the event and holding a smaller competition in the meantime will create the necessary time and space for stakeholders to properly structure and commercialize the tournament before its full-scale debut.