Club World Cup 2031: Fifa eyes 48 teams, Napoli set to join | OneFootball

FIFA is considering a radical change to the Club World Cup, with a biennial format and an expansion to 48 teams, compared to the current 32.

Club World Cup 2031, FIFA aims for biennial tournament expanded to 48 teams, including Napoli

The initiative, reported by the British newspaper The Guardian, aims to transform the competition into an even more significant global event, both in terms of sports and economics.

The evolution of the tournament

After this summer's edition in the United States, which saw the participation of 32 clubs for the first time, FIFA's project plans to organize the Club World Cup every two years, with an increase in the number of teams. The goal is to create a more inclusive and competitive event, with the possibility of doubling the revenue from television rights, sponsorships, and tickets.

According to sources, the next edition will be held in 2029, four years after the current one. However, the expansion to 48 clubs and the biennial frequency could start from 2031, compatible with the commitments of the international calendar, particularly with UEFA competitions and the summer break in June, currently designated for the Nations League finals.

The support of major European clubs

Among the main supporters of the new format are prominent clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli. According to The Guardian, Real Madrid had already proposed the idea during talks with FIFA in Miami in June, receiving support from other European companies. In particular, teams like Napoli, absent from the 2025 edition, would see the expansion as an opportunity to participate and increase their international visibility.

Challenges and opportunities

The FIFA project, while ambitious, presents some logistical and organizational challenges: it will be necessary to reorganize the international calendar, reconciling continental commitments with global ones, and manage a larger number of matches without compromising the quality of the competition. However, the new format would also represent a significant increase in economic revenues and an opportunity to strengthen the global football brand.

In summary, the Club World Cup 2031 could mark a turning point for world football, offering more visibility to second-tier clubs and making the competition a true biennial global event.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.