Overview

• Real Madrid and other top European and South American clubs have lobbied FIFA for a biennial format to capitalize on lucrative payouts from the $1 billion prize pool in 2025.
• Gianni Infantino and FIFA officials argue that fitting an expanded tournament into an already congested calendar would conflict with UEFA competitions and strain player welfare.
• FIFA has officially scheduled the next 32-team Club World Cup for 2029, maintaining a four-year interval after branding a two-year cycle “unfeasible.”
• Qatar is under consideration based on its 2022 World Cup infrastructure while Brazil’s bid won public backing from CBF president Samir Xaud.
• Observers warn that more frequent editions could exacerbate domestic fixture congestion and logistical challenges for clubs and federations.