The FIFA Club World Cup, already a lightning rod for debate, finds itself once more at the center of football’s biggest conversations. After a summer that saw Chelsea lift the trophy in New Jersey with a commanding 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s governing body is now considering major changes that could reshape the tournament’s future—and the fortunes of English clubs in particular.
This year’s edition, staged in the United States, brought plenty of drama both on and off the pitch. Chelsea, representing the Premier League alongside Manchester City, emerged as champions. City’s journey, though, ended sooner than they’d hoped, with a last-16 exit at the hands of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. The two English clubs earned their spots by winning the Champions League within the last four years, a qualification route that left other major names—like Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli—watching from home. Their absence, as many critics pointed out, raised questions about whether the Club World Cup could truly claim to feature the world’s best clubs.
Now, according to multiple reports and statements from top officials, the winds of change are blowing. The Times first broke the news that FIFA is actively considering increasing the maximum number of clubs per country from two to three for the next tournament, scheduled for 2029. This move could open the door for more Premier League powerhouses—think Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool—to join the party. The proposal is partly a response to frustration among FIFA chiefs over the absence of reigning champions from football’s biggest leagues in the recent tournament.
Victor Montagliani, FIFA vice-president and president of Concacaf, spoke candidly about the tournament’s growing pains and future prospects at the Leaders in Sport conference in London. "I think overall it was a massive success in terms of executing," Montagliani said. "There’s some lessons learned. One of the things is format. So you know, [we’ll] discuss it with the stakeholders, like the ECA in Europe, others in other jurisdictions. Was the format the right format? Do we need to have more clubs or do we have a different variety of clubs in terms of how they qualify? Those are all, I think, important questions to sort of ask and then try to figure out a solution before we get to the next one."
Despite the excitement surrounding possible expansion, not everyone is on board with all aspects of FIFA’s vision. UEFA, European football’s governing body, has signaled that while it may not oppose raising the cap of clubs per country, it draws the line at further expanding the tournament’s total size from 32 to 48 teams or holding the event every other year. UEFA’s president, Alexander Ceferin, and others are wary of the toll such changes could take on players and the crowded football calendar.
Player welfare is a growing concern. Global player union Fifpro has sounded the alarm over the impact of the revamped competition on its members, especially those who had less than two weeks to prepare for the new season after an exhausting summer. Manchester City midfielder Rodri didn’t mince his words when asked about the relentless schedule. "I think we are close to that," Rodri said on October 1, 2025, regarding the possibility of a player strike. "If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let's see."
The qualification process for European clubs remains a hot topic. For the recent Club World Cup, 12 European teams earned their spots by winning the Champions League in the past four seasons or through UEFA’s club coefficient rankings. If the proposed changes had been in place for the 2025 edition, Liverpool—who missed out despite being recent Premier League and Champions League winners—would have been included. The financial rewards for participation and progression are significant, adding another layer of intrigue for clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool, all of whom are currently competing in the Champions League with an eye on future qualification.
As the debate rages, the future of the Club World Cup will be a major agenda item at the upcoming FIFA Council meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2025. While no final decision is expected regarding the number of clubs allowed per country, the discussion itself signals that changes are afoot. FIFA’s willingness to listen to stakeholders, including the ECA in Europe and global players’ representatives, suggests that the next few years could bring a reimagined tournament—one that might finally feature all of football’s reigning giants.
But the Club World Cup isn’t the only major tournament under the microscope. South American football chiefs have floated the idea of expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to a whopping 64 teams. Yet, this proposal appears to lack broad support, with Montagliani and Ceferin both expressing skepticism. "Our friends in South America want it to be studied. And, you know, we’re always open minded. But yes, I’m in line with some other counterparts, starting with Alexander [Ceferin, UEFA president] in Europe, who don’t think it’s a great idea," Montagliani said, adding that he remains open to reviewing any studies but believes the current 48-team expansion—set for 2026—should be tested first.
Speaking of 2026, the next World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is already generating massive excitement. Montagliani reported that premium ticket sales are "through the roof" globally, especially from Europe, and dismissed any fears of empty seats like those seen at this year’s Club World Cup. "It will be the case [the biggest World Cup], in a very humble way. You’ve got to put your head down and do the work but I’m very confident in knowing where we are on the spectrum of our planning, seeing how the requests for tickets has already gone. The hospitality sales are through the roof, not only globally but even from Europe. The demand has been very high, and so I’m pretty confident from that perspective."
For English clubs, the potential expansion of the Club World Cup could be a game-changer. Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool are all vying for a coveted spot, knowing that Champions League success over the next few years could pave the way to the global stage—and a significant financial windfall. Yet, with UEFA and player unions pushing back against further expansion and increased fixture congestion, the path forward is anything but clear.
One thing is certain: Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of world football’s premier club competition. Whether the Club World Cup will soon welcome more English clubs, or if broader reforms are in store, the eyes of the football world will be watching closely. The debate about who truly deserves to be called the world’s best club is far from settled—but it’s about to get even more interesting.
