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FIFA confirms United States as host for inaugural Women's Club World Cup

FIFA has officially designated the United States as the host nation for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Club World Cup, scheduled to take place from January 5 to January 30, 2028. The competition will feature 19 teams from across the globe and is designed to mirror the structure of the recently revamped men's club competition. FIFA’s decision highlights the growing prominence of women’s football and establishes a quadrennial global platform for top-tier club sides to compete for the ultimate world title every four years. Out of the 19 participating clubs, seven have already been confirmed, including the English side Arsenal. The remaining 12 slots will be filled by teams from various continental confederations, with the selection process to be revealed by FIFA at a later date. Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's football officer, noted that the United States was chosen due to its extensive history of successfully hosting major FIFA tournaments and the high level of public interest in women's soccer within the country, which provides a robust foundation for the new event. While the announcement marks a significant expansion for the women's game, it has also sparked discussion regarding the international football calendar. The Women's Super League has expressed specific concerns regarding the timing of the 2028 event and its impact on domestic schedules. These concerns come in the wake of the introduction of the Champions Cup earlier this year, a trophy also secured by Arsenal. Despite these potential scheduling challenges, FIFA maintains that the new tournament is a necessary step in professionalizing and promoting women’s club football on a truly global scale.