FIFA Club World Cup set for 48 teams in 2029, Flamengo qualify | OneFootball

FIFA could increase the numbers in the next edition

FIFA is studying a new and ambitious change to the format of the Club World Cup. According to information from the British newspaper The Guardian, the organization is considering expanding the competition from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2029, which would represent another expansion of the tournament model.

The possible change is part of a movement that could further transform the FIFA Club World Cup, which recently adopted an expanded format and a greater presence of clubs from different continents. According to the report, the idea would mainly benefit European football, which already dominates the sport’s financial and competitive landscape.

HOW COULD THE PARTNERSHIP WITH EFC CHANGE THE GAME?

Another point weighing on the discussion is the new partnership between FIFA and European Football Clubs (EFC), which will now take part in operating the Club World Cup. The entry of the European body is seen as a factor accelerating the debate over expanding the tournament.

The EFC, which brings together more than 700 clubs and is chaired by PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi, already has experience in commercial management alongside UEFA. The trend is for this model of collaboration to be replicated in the Club World Cup, which could directly influence the increase in places and the restructuring of the format.

In addition, European clubs are pushing for more space after the significant financial return from the last edition. Chelsea (ENG), the tournament champion, received around £84 million (more than half a billion reais) in prize money, which increased the interest of other major clubs on the continent in easing the path to qualification.

WILL EUROPEAN PRESSURE CHANGE THE RULES?

The possible expansion also opens up discussion about the current country cap rules. In the last edition of the tournament, held in the United States, Europe had 12 representatives, but even so traditional clubs such as Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli were left out.

The current model considers criteria such as recent Champions League performance and the UEFA ranking, but with a limit of up to two clubs per country — something that could be reviewed in a 48-team scenario.

According to the report, the EFC argues that more European clubs would increase the commercial value of the competition, especially amid challenges in selling broadcasting rights. FIFA has already signed a global deal worth around $1 billion with the DAZN platform.

IS FLAMENGO ALREADY GUARANTEED A PLACE IN THE CLUB WORLD CUP?

Amid the discussions about the future of the tournament, Flamengo has already secured its place in the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. Rubro-Negro booked the spot by winning the 2025 Copa Libertadores, automatically securing participation in the Club World Cup regardless of any possible future changes to the competition’s format.

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