Women's Club World Cup 2028: USA named host of first edition
In brief
FIFA announced on 22 October 2026 that the inaugural Women's Club World Cup will be held in the United States. The 19-team tournament runs from 5 to 30 January 2028. The US beat Qatar to hosting rights, and Arsenal and Barcelona are among the clubs already confirmed.
FIFA's new global tournament for women's clubs will make its debut on American soil in January 2028. Football's world governing body named the United States as host on Thursday 22 October 2026. According to BBC Sport, the 19-team event will run from 5 to 30 January 2028 and will then be played every four years. German magazine kicker reported that the US beat Qatar to hosting rights. ESPN reported that the host cities have not yet been confirmed.
Which teams will play at the Women's Club World Cup?
Seven of the 19 clubs have been named so far: England's Arsenal, Spain's Barcelona, Gotham of the NWSL, Mexico's Club America, Brazil's Corinthians, North Korea's Naegohyang and China's Wuhan Jiangda. The remaining 12 spots will be filled later. BBC Sport reports that UEFA will choose six more European clubs. The AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), Concacaf and Conmebol will each send three more teams, and Oceania's OFC gets one place.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | United States (cities to be confirmed) |
| Dates | 5-30 January 2028 |
| Teams | 19 |
| Clubs confirmed | 7 |
| Clubs still to be decided | 12 |
| Frequency | Every four years |
Source: FIFA announcement, via BBC Sport, ESPN and L'Équipe
Why did FIFA choose the United States?
Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's football officer, said the US had recently run major FIFA tournaments very well. She also pointed to strong interest in the women's game in the US and to the country's top-level venues.
“Ultimately, the United States' recent excellence in staging top Fifa tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women's football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option.”
The tournament adds to a busy run of major events in the US. As L'Équipe noted, the US hosted the first expanded men's Club World Cup in 2025. It then co-hosted the 2026 men's World Cup with Mexico and Canada, and in 2031 it will share hosting duties for the women's global showpiece alongside Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica. Because the tournament is in January, it falls during the NWSL off-season.
How did we get here?
- 2025 — The US hosted the first edition of the expanded men's Club World Cup.
- December 2025 — FIFA confirmed the Women's Club World Cup would be played in January 2028.
- Summer 2026 — The US co-hosted the men's World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
- 22 October 2026 — FIFA named the US as host, ahead of Qatar.
- 5-30 January 2028 — The first Women's Club World Cup is played.
- 2031 — The US co-hosts the Women's World Cup.
What happens next?
FIFA still has to name the host cities and stadiums. The remaining 12 clubs also have to be decided, and UEFA has not yet said how it will choose its six extra European clubs. Once those details are confirmed, the full line-up for January 2028 will be clear. ScoreLab will update this article as more details are announced.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
Where will the 2028 Women's Club World Cup be held?
In the United States. FIFA confirmed the host nation on 22 October 2026, but the host cities have not been announced.
When is the first Women's Club World Cup?
It runs from 5 to 30 January 2028 and will then be held every four years.
How many teams are in the Women's Club World Cup?
There are 19 teams. The seven already confirmed are Barcelona, Arsenal, Corinthians, Gotham, Club America, Wuhan Jiangda and North Korea's Naegohyang.
Which country did the US beat to host the tournament?
According to kicker, the United States beat Qatar to hosting rights.
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This story was compiled by the ScoreLab Newsroom from the sources listed. Editorial policy