“The process of selecting the host country took into account infrastructure and service requirements, as well as the tournament’s broader strategic objectives,” FIFA said in a statement issued after the videoconference meeting of its board of directors.
The Club World Cup, which will now take place every four years, has so far been held every year with only seven teams participating. The next edition will be held under this format in December 2023 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The United States will then stage in 2026, along with Canada and Mexico, the first World Cup tournament to feature 48 nations – instead of 32.
FIFA added, “The decision was made based on the United States’ standing as a recognized leader in hosting global events and because it will allow FIFA to increase cooperation with the delivery of the 2026 World Cup.”
FIFA said that the dates, host cities and match schedule for this new tournament will be determined later.
FIFA had already determined in February 2022 the distribution of the qualifying spots by continent for this competition, with four clubs qualifying for Asia, four for Africa, four for Central and North America, and six for South America. one for Oceania, twelve for Europe and one for the host country.
“The 2025 Club World Cup will be the pinnacle of elite men’s professional football, and with the requisite infrastructure in place as well as massive domestic interest, the United States is the ideal host to launch this new global tournament,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in the statement.
The FIFA Council also postponed the launch of the application process to organize the 2030 World Cup, which will start after its next meeting, which is scheduled to be held in September or October 2023. The name of the host country will be revealed at the end. from 2024.
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