Overview
- FIFA confirmed the final phase will feature two semifinals, a third-place match and a final across four games in London, with the specific venue still to be named.
- Arsenal enter directly into the semifinals as UEFA champions and will face the qualifier emerging from AFC, CAF and OFC winners.
- NJ/NY Gotham FC, representing Concacaf, are set to meet the Women’s Copa Libertadores winner in the other semifinal.
- Qualifying opens on Oct. 8 with Wuhan Jiangda hosting Auckland United, whose winner will play Africa’s champion in December for a semifinal berth against Arsenal.
- ESPN reports London’s selection was influenced by Arsenal’s league schedule after U.S. organizers expressed hosting interest, and FIFA says the Champions Cup will run annually in non-Club World Cup years.