United States to host inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup in 2028

Women's soccer will have a new flagship club competition, and the United States will once again be at the center of it. FIFA confirmed that the inaugural Women's Club World Cup will be played in the U.S. from Jan. 5 to Jan. 30, 2028, giving the country another marquee event for the women's game.

• The United States will host the first FIFA Women's Club World Cup in January 2028.
• The tournament will feature 19 clubs from six confederations over a 26-day window.
• The event follows the 2026 men's World Cup and precedes the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
• Arsenal, Barcelona, Corinthians and Gotham FC are among the qualified teams.
• FIFA will increase funding for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.

United States lands the first Women's Club World Cup

The competition will open on Jan. 5, 2028, and run through Jan. 30. Designed as a quadrennial tournament, it will bring together 19 of the world's leading clubs from all six confederations with the aim of creating a lasting global standard for women's club soccer.

FIFA's choice was not accidental. The United States is coming off a record-setting 2026 men's World Cup as co-host and will welcome the Summer Olympics to Los Angeles just months after the club tournament concludes.

Why FIFA picked the United States for 2028

FIFA Chief Women's Football Officer Dame Sarai Bareman said the governing body conducted a detailed assessment before selecting a host. The American bid ultimately stood out because of its recent experience with major FIFA events, the growing interest in women's soccer and its elite sporting infrastructure.

The United States' recent excellence in staging top FIFA tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women's football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option.

The calendar fits a larger picture. With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games and the Women's Club World Cup opening the year in January, American fans will move from one high-profile competition to the next, blending club and national-team soccer across winter and summer.

The 2031 Women's World Cup as the next U.S. target

The country is also building toward 2031. Alongside co-hosts Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, the United States Soccer Federation is leading an uncontested bid to stage the next Women's World Cup, which would expand to 48 teams for the first time.

A vote by the FIFA Congress is expected by Nov. 23 in Zurich. The initial host city list has already grown with the recent additions of Chicago and Portland, underlining the domestic demand for top-level matches.

What is at stake for women's club soccer in 2028

A successful first edition could set the standard for how women's club soccer is marketed, packaged and watched worldwide. FIFA sees the 2028 tournament as a benchmark for visibility, commercial growth and international reach for the club game.

The United States already has two first-division professional leagues, the NWSL and the Gainbridge Super League. That foundation, combined with the steady flow of international events, cements the country's status as a regular destination for women's soccer across both club competitions and national-team tournaments.

Teams already qualified for the 2028 Women's Club World Cup

Seven clubs have secured their places early, setting an ambitious tone for the competition. Arsenal and Barcelona carry European pedigree, while Club América from Mexico and Gotham FC from the United States add strength from the Americas.

Corinthians of Brazil, Wuhan Jiangda of China and Naegohyang of North Korea complete the initial list. The remaining continental slots will be determined throughout the qualification cycle.

FIFA will prioritize continental champions from seasons ending between 2024 and 2027, consistent with the FIFA Council's previous decision on how clubs qualify. Existing Concacaf and UEFA mechanisms will apply for the inaugural edition, while FIFA works with confederations to establish ranking methodologies based on sporting merit.

UEFA holds six qualifying slots. The Women's Champions League winner qualifies directly, with the remaining spots determined by club rankings. A cap of two clubs per member association generally applies, unless more than two clubs from the same country have won the European competition during the qualification window.

The 2027 Women's Champions Cup in Miami as a prelude

Before the 2028 showcase, FIFA will stage the second edition of the Women's Champions Cup in 2027, the tournament that brings together the six continental champions in the years between Women's Club World Cups. The FIFA Council adjusted the schedule to give the semifinals greater visibility.

The matches will be played at Nu Stadium in Miami, home of Inter Miami CF, on consecutive days. On Jan. 26, Club América will face the winner of the AFC, CAF or OFC playoff tie. One day later, Barcelona will meet the CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina champion. The third-place match and final will then be held as a double-header on Jan. 31.

Additional funding for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil

The FIFA meeting also delivered a financial boost for the 2027 Women's World Cup, the first edition to be staged in South America. Players, clubs and member associations will receive increased distribution, including preparation money of $2.5 million, matching the allocation for the 2026 men's World Cup.

The amount represents a $1 million increase from the 2023 Women's World Cup, part of FIFA's broader push to strengthen financial conditions across the women's game.