sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
FIFA To Approve Major Club World Cup Rule Change Impacting Premier League Clubs

Home> Football> Football News

Published 16:30 2 Oct 2025 GMT+1

FIFA To Approve Major Club World Cup Rule Change Impacting Premier League Clubs

Football's governing body have announced a huge change for the 2029 edition.

James Taylor

James Taylor

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

FIFA have approved a major change to the Club World Cup that could significantly impact Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City

The inaugural edition of the expanded tournament took place this summer, with Chelsea defeating Champions League winners PSG to lift the trophy.

But there was frustration within FIFA that the competition was played without the champions of England, Spain and Italy.

A cap of two clubs per country, combined with other teams having qualified, meant Liverpool, Barcelona and Napoli all missed out.

Advert

Now that cap is expected to be increased to three, allowing for three English clubs to compete at the next Club World Cup.

According to The Times, UEFA is unlikely to oppose the lifting of the cap but they are keen to avoid further expansion or move to a biennial tournament.

Chelsea won the Club World Cup this year. (Image: Jean Catuffe / Contributor via Getty)
Chelsea won the Club World Cup this year. (Image: Jean Catuffe / Contributor via Getty)

Last summer's tournament featured 32 teams in the United States and FIFA has ambitions to expand that to 48 clubs.

While lifting the cap does not guarantee that league champions will be present, it increases the likelihood of top European sides being present.

FIFA's vice president Victor Montagliani addressed the issue.

He said: "After the first one, like running any business, after your first month, you ask do you have enough people?

"Do you have the right product?

“We need to discuss with stakeholders like the ECA in Europe, was the format the right format?

"Do we need to have more clubs, or do we have a different variety of clubs in terms of how they qualify?”

Victor Montagliani has proposed a change to the Club World Cup format. (Image: Omar Vega / Stringer via Getty)
Victor Montagliani has proposed a change to the Club World Cup format. (Image: Omar Vega / Stringer via Getty)

Teams qualify either through winning the Champions League over the past four years or via UEFA's club coefficient.

Despite Liverpool winning the Premier League and having a strong coefficient, they were absent from the summer tournament because Chelsea and Manchester City had won the Champions League in that four-year cycle.

Currently, City and Liverpool have the best coefficients of the English sides, with fourth and fifth, respectively.

Arsenal are 11th, closely followed by Chelsea in 12th, while Manchester United are not far back in 16th.

However, their absence from European competition this year will likely result in a decline in their ranking.

While it is impossible to predict future Champions League winners, the relaxation of the cap is a boost for English sides.

FIFA has not yet confirmed the location of the 2029 edition but it will be held during the summer, ruling out a potential Qatar bid.

The Guardian reported that Spain and Morocco are the most likely hosts for the next Club World Cup.

Featured Image Credit: John Nacion / Contributor via Getty

Topics: FIFA, Football, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, UEFA, FIFA Club World Cup

James Taylor
James Taylor

James is a sports journalist who specialises in football and Formula 1. He has written for publications such as The Times, MailSport, Sunday Express, Sunday Star and Manchester Evening News. Throughout his career, he has interviewed international footballers and rising Olympic stars. In his spare time, he has the misfortune of being a season ticket holder at Manchester United.

X

@James_Taylor_02

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Fans declare Goal of the Year won as CENTRE-BACK scores rabona from outside the box

    The 2026 Goal of the Year may have been scored already in Morocco.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Former Spurs star suffers graphic injury as fans demand shinpad rule change

    The former Spurs star was forced off after suffering a horrific gash in action in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Former footballer became Britain's highest-paid adult star after career change

    Danny Mountain's football dream collapsed and he turned to the world of adult films in a drastic career change.

    Football
  • Sky Sports
    4 hours ago

    Marc Guehi refuses Man of the Match award after Man City's win over Chelsea

    Marc Guehi scored against former club Chelsea as Manchester City ran out 3-0 winners on Sunday.

    Football
  • FIFA Send Public Warning to Donald Trump Over 2026 World Cup
  • FIFA issue statement on banning Israel from World Cup
  • FIFA Send Public Warning to Donald Trump Over 2026 World Cup
  • Israel Could Play in World Cup Despite UEFA Ban Due to 'Loophole'