FIFA set to make huge change to Club World Cup and it could impact 10 teams

FIFA are set to make a major change to the Club World Cup which could impact 10 different clubs.

The inaugural revamped Club World Cup took place over the summer, with Chelsea thrashing PSG 4-0 in the final.

They were classed by FIFA as the first-ever Club World Cup champions, despite the tournament having been held since 2000.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan are now among the clubs who are not featured on the Club World Cup roll of honour.

Unlike in other tournaments, Chelsea were not automatically given a spot in the 2029 Club World Cup as the reigning champions.

Four clubs have already earned the right to play in the next competition, with PSG, Cruz Azul, Al Ahli and Pyramids winning their respective continental cups this year.

But according to The Times, FIFA are considering a significant change to the competition for next season.

They will consider whether to increase the maximum limit of two clubs per country that can qualify for the Club World Cup ahead of the period leading up to 2029.

That includes whether Chelsea, as reigning champions, will indeed be given an opportunity to defend their crown.

FIFA leaders are said to have been 'frustrated' that the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona and Napoli - all domestic champions - were not present in the United States this summer amid suggestions that the winners of domestic leagues in England, Spain and Italy should have been permitted to enter.

In such a scenario, it appears likely that the champions of France and Germany would also be invited in the scenario that they hadn't already qualified.

Such a rule change would likely cause an increase in teams from 32 to 48, a decision which reportedly would be opposed by UEFA.

And while that rule would affect the aforementioned six clubs, it would also impact the four clubs that have qualified in terms of the format they must plan to compete in during the 2029 competition.

What has been said about the Club World Cup?

The new Club World Cup received a mixed reaction from fans, with empty seats clearly visible for most matches not involving Real Madrid.

There were also question marks surrounding the scheduling of the tournament during most competing teams' summer breaks.

Unsurprisingly, FIFA president Gianni Infantino wasn't having any of that and declared the Club World Cup to be 'the most successful club competition in the world'.

He said: "The golden era of global club football has started. We can say definitely that this FIFA Club World Cup has been a huge, huge, huge success.

"Of course, there are a lot of positives, some negatives. It has been successful. We have had over 2.5 million in the stadium. We generated over $2 billion in revenue with this competition. There is no other cup competition in the world that comes close to $33m per match."