The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has wrapped up, but some teams aren’t keen on waiting four years for the next one. Reports indicate that clubs, particularly in Europe and South America, are discussing the possibility of a biennial Club World Cup to increase revenue. Real Madrid, notably the only team chosen this time, has been in talks with FIFA about this idea.
FIFA distributed a staggering $1 billion among the competing teams, with Real Madrid reportedly netting $82.5 million during the semi-finals alone. Their Champions Trophy win also added a hefty $114.6 million to their finances. Given those figures, it’s easy to see why there’s a push for more frequent tournaments. Other European and South American clubs are also reaching out to FIFA, expressing their desire not to wait until 2029 for the next competition.
Is FIFA being shortsighted? Some argue that hosting a tournament every other year could easily generate $1 billion or more to share among clubs. The next tournament is currently scheduled for 2029, with Brazil and Qatar interested in hosting. Nevertheless, FIFA has labeled the idea of a biennial tournament as “unfeasible,” citing the financial needs to keep all teams satisfied.
Clubs from South America, like Fulminense, Flamengo, Botafogo, and Palmeiras, performed impressively in the tournament, earning more than their entire salary expenditure. They’re among the big winners and may be open to the prospect of another tournament for the additional revenue it could bring.
Despite FIFA’s skepticism about launching a Club World Cup every two years, President Gianni Infantino praised the success of the event, particularly how well it filled NFL stadiums for the final games. He noted that many teams were pleased with their participation. However, there were also those who were left out, like Liverpool and Arsenal, who expressed curiosity about qualifying criteria.
For now, FIFA intends to address concerns from some teams about player fatigue after long seasons. Should FIFA select Qatar as the host for 2029, it may necessitate drastic changes to the football calendar, particularly considering the lack of summer matches in warmer locations like the U.S.
During the 2025 tournament, many complaints arose from European teams about the challenging weather conditions, including oppressive heat and thunderstorms that impacted several games. Infantino has suggested that indoor venues be considered for the upcoming summer World Cup to avoid similar issues.
Relocating the Club World Cup, which now features 32 teams, to fall or winter months could disrupt club seasons worldwide, requiring leagues to adjust their schedules significantly. Many leagues are still reeling from the changes that happened during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and there’s considerable hesitation to make further adjustments, especially with the 2034 World Cup looming in Saudi Arabia.
Ultimately, it boils down to the money, and teams like Real Madrid are eager to maximize their revenue. Although many logistics and factors need to be ironed out, FIFA seems to be aware of the urgency expressed by top clubs for the tournament to happen again sooner rather than later.
