Club World Cup: 4 fixes to make before the 2029 edition | OneFootball

Chelsea/@FIFA

The inaugural edition of the revamped Club World Cup (32 teams) was clinched by Chelsea, who triumphed in the final over Paris Saint-Germain with a commanding 3-0 victory.

Backed by a deep squad, the London club made light work of their Parisian counterparts, thanks in large part to a stellar Cole Palmer performance (2 goals and one assist).

As the world awaits the announcement of the host country for the 2029 Club World Cup, FIFA would be wise to introduce several improvements to ensure the next tournament's success.

Avoid scheduling at the end of the season

The global football governing body should no longer organize the competition at the tail end of the season, when players are already exhausted. It would be far more sensible to stage the tournament at the start of the season, right after the preparation phase.

Manageable weather conditions

Players competing in the tournament struggled with harsh weather conditions in the United States. FIFA should take this into account for the next edition by choosing a host country with a milder climate during the tournament period.

Introduce a round of 32

FIFA should implement a round of 32 in the next Club World Cup, which would allow the best third-placed teams from the group stage to qualify for the knockout rounds.

Equal prize money for all clubs

FIFA did not award the same prize money to all clubs participating in the 2025 Club World Cup. This was an unfair decision, particularly for African clubs, who did not receive the same treatment as their European counterparts.