Doha, Qatar (AP) – Part 1 women’s club world cup FIFA announced Wednesday that it will be staged in January 2028.
The host country has not yet been decided, but the tournament, which will be held from January 5th to 30th, will likely be held in a country with a warm climate during that time.
In March, FIFA confirmed plans to hold a 16-team Club World Cup, following this summer’s expanded Men’s Club World Cup in the United States.
World football’s governing body approved the schedule at a board meeting in Doha, Qatar.
The timing means that the competition will compete against top domestic leagues in Europe, such as England’s Women’s Super League, but not against the Women’s Champions League, which will be suspended in January. The American NWSL is entering its offseason.
The tournament will be held in four groups of four players each, with a knockout stage starting from the quarterfinals.
There will also be a six-team “play-in” phase, with three teams advancing to the main tournament.
Europe is guaranteed five teams to participate in the tournament, while Asia, Africa, Concaf and South America will each have two teams.
All five federations and Oceania will make up the six participating countries in the ‘play-in’ stage.
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