United States to host inaugural women's Club World Cup in January 2028, FIFA says

FIFA announced on Thursday (October 22, 2026) that the United States will host the inaugural women's Club World Cup from January 5-30, 2028. The tournament will bring together 19 top-tier clubs from all six continental confederations.

"The decision was taken in view of its experience in organising FIFA tournaments, the maturity of its infrastructure and services and the level of stakeholder interest in women's football in the country," world football's governing body said. The U.S. has a proven track record of staging large sporting events, notably co-hosting the men's World Cup earlier this year. FIFA confirmed the first edition will run over a near four-week window in January 2028.

FIFA outlined the confederation allocation for the 19-team field: AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL will each have three representatives, UEFA will supply six clubs and the OFC will be represented by one team. The slots are intended to draw top club sides from each of the six continental governing bodies.

Seven clubs have already secured places at the tournament: Arsenal (England), Club America Femenil (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain), Gotham (United States), Naegohyang (North Korea), Corinthians (Brazil) and Wuhan Jiangda (China). Those confirmed teams account for more than a third of the planned 19-club field.

"These seven clubs, and a dozen more, will come together to show the strength and depth of women's club football to a global audience," said FIFA chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman. "They will have the opportunity to tell their story, expand their fan base and represent their club on the world stage. They have thoroughly earned this opportunity to be part of history in the United States."

FIFA described the introduction of the tournament as "a major milestone for the professionalisation and global expansion of the women's club game, giving elite club sides a true world stage to compete on every four years". The inaugural event had been initially slated for 2026 but was postponed by two years so it would occupy a clear window following the 2027 women's World Cup and ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The competition is scheduled to take place in the United States from January 5-30, 2028, and FIFA has indicated the women's Club World Cup will be staged on a four-year cycle.