SOCCER: Inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup scheduled for January 2028

The inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will be held in January 2028, FIFA announced on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the global development of women’s club football.

The tournament was originally scheduled to debut in 2026 but was pushed back by two years to allow more time for preparation and to ease pressure on players amid an increasingly congested international calendar. FIFA said the revised timeline would give clubs, leagues, and stakeholders adequate space to plan for the competition.

While host nations have yet to be confirmed, the tournament will take place during the off-season of the U.S.-based National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). However, it is expected to disrupt mid-season schedules for several top European domestic leagues.

The competition will begin with a play-in stage featuring six teams, with three advancing to the group stage to join 13 other qualified clubs. The group stage will consist of four groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout rounds.

In terms of qualification, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Confederation of African Football (CAF), Concacaf, and CONMEBOL will each receive two direct slots. UEFA will be allocated five berths.

Following the postponement of the Women’s Club World Cup, FIFA also introduced a new tournament, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. This competition will feature the six continental club champions, with its semi-finals and final scheduled to be held in London in January 2026. -Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters