Overview
- FIFA’s council approved Jan. 5–30, 2028 for the inaugural event, with no host named yet and a warm-weather venue considered likely.
- The competition features four groups of four with knockout rounds from the quarterfinals and a six-team play-in that advances three clubs to the group stage.
- Europe receives five guaranteed berths, while Asia, Africa, Concacaf and South America get two each, with the play-in including all five confederations plus Oceania.
- The dates clash with domestic leagues in Europe but fall in the NWSL offseason, and the Women’s Champions League pauses in January.
- FIFA delayed the launch from 2026 after stakeholder feedback and also introduced a separate Women’s Champions Cup, with Arsenal, Gotham FC and Corinthians entering its January 2026 semifinals in London.