The US to Host the First Women's Club World Cup in 2028

The United States will host the first Women's Club World Cup in 2028, FIFA announced on Thursday. The tournament, to be held every four years, will bring together 19 top women's club teams from all six confederations – AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA.

The competition will take place from January 5 to 30, 2028. Host cities have not yet been determined; previously, Los Angeles and San Diego were considered, according to ESPN.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA's Chief Women's Football Officer, stated that the US was chosen considering the recent success of the men's Club World Cup in 2025 and the 2026 World Cup. “We conducted a detailed assessment to determine the most suitable host for the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup. Ultimately, the US's recent prowess in hosting major FIFA tournaments, combined with significant interest in women's football in the country and elite sports infrastructure, made it the obvious choice,” she said.

Seven clubs have already qualified for the 2028 tournament: Arsenal (England), Club America (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain), Gotham FC (USA), Naegohyang Women's FC (North Korea), SC Corinthians (Brazil), and Wuhan Jiangda WFC (China). “These seven clubs and another dozen will come together to showcase the strength and depth of women's club football to the world,” Bareman added.

AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL will each be represented by three teams, OFC by one, and UEFA by six.

On Thursday, the FIFA Council Bureau also approved the allocation of $2.5 million in preparatory funds to each association participating in the Women's World Cup 2027 in Brazil. This is the same amount FIFA allocated for the men's World Cup this summer in North America and more than the $960,000 allocated ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.