DAZN’s recent push for media rights in the United States has set the stage for a transformative chapter in global football broadcasting, but the real buzz this week revolves around seismic changes brewing within FIFA’s Club World Cup. As the football world watches keenly, FIFA is reportedly preparing to lift its long-standing cap on the number of clubs from a single country allowed to compete in the tournament—a move that could reshape the competitive landscape and open doors for English heavyweights like Liverpool and Arsenal.
For years, the Club World Cup has operated under a strict rule: no more than two clubs from any one nation could qualify, regardless of that country’s domestic strength or European pedigree. This limitation, designed to ensure regional diversity and prevent domination by a single league, has often come at the expense of top-tier teams. The 2025 edition, which marks the debut of an expanded 32-club format on a four-year cycle, is a case in point. Despite stellar domestic and continental campaigns, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli all missed out, sidelined by the arbitrary restriction.
Football fans and analysts alike have long questioned the wisdom of this rule. After all, how can the Club World Cup truly crown the world’s best club if it excludes some of the most talented squads? The criticism has been fierce, with many arguing that the tournament’s credibility is undermined when elite teams are left at home due to technicalities. As one observer noted, “Leaving out major sides due to technicalities weakens the event’s appeal and sparks backlash from fans and analysts alike.”
Now, change appears imminent. According to several reports, FIFA is on the verge of approving a new rule that would allow up to three clubs from a single nation to compete in future editions of the Club World Cup. The proposal is set for discussion at the upcoming FIFA Council meeting, and, crucially, UEFA—the governing body for European football—is not expected to oppose the move. This rare alignment between football’s global and continental authorities paves the way for a reform that could take effect as early as the next tournament cycle.
The rationale behind the proposed change is simple: align the tournament more closely with actual performance metrics and reward leagues that consistently produce top-quality teams. The Premier League, in particular, has been a powerhouse in recent years, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United all making deep runs in UEFA competitions. Limiting England to just two Club World Cup slots no longer reflects the league’s dominance or the depth of its talent pool.
For Liverpool and Arsenal, the implications are huge. Both clubs have rich histories and have enjoyed recent domestic and European success, but they found themselves on the outside looking in for the 2025 Club World Cup. Under the current rules, only Manchester City and Chelsea, for example, could represent England. If the three-club rule is enacted, Liverpool and Arsenal would be next in line, giving them a genuine shot at global glory in the 2029 edition and beyond.
“The expanded eligibility could provide them with a path to the 2029 tournament, offering global exposure and a chance to compete against the world’s best,” notes an industry insider. For clubs that have often operated just outside the shadow of Manchester City’s recent dominance, this rule change could be nothing short of transformative.
The expanded Club World Cup format itself is designed to be a global showcase, bringing together 32 of the world’s best clubs every four years. The tournament aims to not only highlight football’s international reach but also to elevate its competitive standards. Critics of the old format argue that it was more about legacy and less about merit, with deserving clubs frequently missing out. The new proposal seeks to recalibrate that balance, making the competition more inclusive of true performance.
UEFA’s reported willingness to support the change is significant. Historically, tensions between FIFA and UEFA have flared over issues of tournament scheduling and club representation. This time, however, the two bodies appear to be on the same page. According to The Times, “UEFA is not expected to challenge FIFA’s proposal to increase club representation per nation. This rare harmony between football’s global and continental governing bodies opens the door for immediate reform.”
Beyond the boardrooms and council meetings, the potential rule change has already sparked excitement among fans and pundits. English supporters, in particular, are relishing the prospect of seeing more of their teams compete on the world stage. The Premier League’s reputation as the most competitive and entertaining league in the world could soon be matched by its representation at FIFA’s flagship club tournament.
But the impact won’t be limited to England. Other footballing nations with deep talent pools—think Spain, Italy, and Germany—could also benefit from the rule change, allowing more of their top clubs to participate and raising the overall standard of the competition. The move could also boost global viewership and fan engagement, two key objectives for FIFA as it seeks to grow the Club World Cup’s profile and commercial appeal.
The business side of football is never far from the action. DAZN’s dual-pronged strategy for U.S. media rights, fresh off the back of its exposure during the Club World Cup, underscores the growing appetite for top-tier football content in new markets. With more elite clubs potentially involved, broadcasters and sponsors alike are likely to see even greater value in the tournament.
Meanwhile, fans looking to turn their football knowledge into tangible rewards are being courted by platforms like Melbet Ghana, which is offering a promotional bonus for those betting on global club tournaments. As the structure of world football evolves, strategic fans are turning their attention to informed predictions, with opportunities to bet on everything from Club World Cup winners to player goal totals and match outcomes.
As the October 2025 FIFA Council meeting approaches, all eyes are on Zurich. Will the governing body finally break with tradition and embrace a more meritocratic approach to club qualification? The answer could redefine the global football hierarchy and usher in an era where depth and performance are truly rewarded.
For now, anticipation is building. The prospect of Liverpool and Arsenal joining the Club World Cup fray is no longer a distant hope but a possibility waiting to unfold. If FIFA follows through, fans can expect a more competitive, credible, and compelling tournament—one that finally lives up to its billing as a contest for the world’s best clubs.
As the football world waits for official confirmation, one thing is clear: change is in the air, and the next chapter of the Club World Cup promises to be the most exciting yet.
