United States to host expanded FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino. PHOTO:Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

• 2030 World Cup Bidding Process Begins September •Indonesia To Host 2023 U-17 World Cup

World football governing body, FIFA, yesterday, appointed the United States as host of the new and expanded 32-team Club World Cup due to hold in 2025.

A FIFA statement quoting its President, Gianni Infantino, explained that the host selection process took into consideration infrastructure and service requirements, as well as broader strategic objectives for the tournament.

“The decision was reached based on United States’ position as a proven leader in staging global events and because it would allow FIFA to maximise synergies with the delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026, to the benefit of both tournaments and the development of football in the North American region. As a next step, FIFA will engage with the relevant stakeholders to finalise the dates, venues and match schedule of this new tournament.

“The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be the pinnacle of elite professional men’s club football, and with the required infrastructure in place together with a massive local interest, the United States is the ideal host to kick off this new, global tournament,” Infantino said.

The FIFA president since some of the world’s top clubs have already qualified for the Club World Cup, fans from every continent are expected to bring their passion and energy to the United States in the mission to make football truly global.

He also disclosed the FIFA Council’s decision to postpone the bidding process for the 2030 World Cup, which will mark the centenary of men’s football’s showpiece tournament.

He added that the relevant bidding regulations would be presented for approval at its next Council