The Club World Cup: what to know about the 32-team competition
Sep 5, 2026 · 10:25
FIFA's club tournament, played every four years, has a completely new format - here is the essence.
The Club World Cup used to be a short competition featuring a handful of continental champions. The new format is on a considerably larger scale.
The field
The competition features thirty-two clubs in a four-year cycle. Most places go to the winners of the continental club competitions during the cycle, with the rest allocated on club coefficient, subject to a limit per country.
The format
The tournament starts with eight groups of four, with the top two in each group reaching the round of 16 and a knockout phase from there. The winner must therefore win seven matches in a single summer.
The controversy
The main criticism concerns the calendar: another weeks-long tournament has been added on top of the club season and international programmes. Player unions argue the workload is unsustainable, while organisers point to significant revenue for clubs and to the global growth in the value of club football.
Why is it interesting anyway?
Because it is a rare chance for champions from different continents to meet in a competitive fixture. For South American, Asian and African champions it is the biggest stage available, while for European clubs it is a risky challenge: defeat costs prestige, while victory is merely expected.