FIFA has officially introduced two major tournaments to elevate women’s club football: the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ and the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup™. These competitions aim to provide a global platform for the best women’s clubs, driving growth, fostering rivalries, and engaging a wider audience.
A Historic Milestone for Women’s Football
For the first time in history, all six continental federations will crown their respective women’s club champions, marking a transformative moment for the sport. Building on this progress, FIFA will launch these two new flagship tournaments, starting in 2026, as approved by the FIFA Council on March 5, 2025.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of this development: “Women’s football has flourished at the national team level, and now we must ensure that clubs also receive the global recognition they deserve. These competitions will inspire athletes, create fresh rivalries, attract new fans, and elevate the sport to unprecedented heights.”
The FIFA Women’s Club World Cup: A Global Stage for Elite Clubs
Scheduled to debut in 2028, the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will feature 19 of the world’s top clubs, ensuring a highly competitive and inclusive tournament. Qualification will be based on sporting merit accumulated over the previous two years through the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Jill Ellis, FIFA's Chief Football Officer and a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™-winning coach, highlighted the broader impact of these competitions: “This is more than just a tournament launch; it’s a catalyst for the evolution of women’s football. These events will elevate standards, open up new opportunities, and generate significant revenue streams, all while reinforcing the sport’s global reach.”
The inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will take place in January-February 2028, featuring a play-in stage with six teams from the AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. The three winners will advance to a 16-team group stage. UEFA will receive five direct berths, while the AFC, CAF, Concacaf, and CONMEBOL will each have two. The group stage will consist of four groups of four teams, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout rounds.
All matches, from the play-in stage to the final, will be hosted at a neutral venue, to be determined by FIFA. Future editions, including the 2032 tournament, will incorporate previous performance results into the seeding process.
Introducing the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
To further enhance global competition, FIFA has also established the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, an annual tournament that will feature the six reigning continental club champions. This competition aims to bolster the competitive landscape of women’s football and amplify its international stature.
The tournament will be held in years when the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup is not taking place. The 2026 edition will consist of two knockout rounds, with fixtures scheduled in consultation with clubs and their respective confederations. The preliminary phase will include:
AFC champions hosting the OFC champions in Round 1
The winner of Round 1 traveling to face the CAF champions in Round 2
The Round 2 winner advancing to a Final Four event, taking place from January 28 to February 1, 2026
During the Final Four, UEFA champions will face the Round 2 winner, while Concacaf champions will challenge CONMEBOL champions. The victorious teams will compete for the championship, while the losing sides will play for third place.
The seeding for future editions will be influenced by prior tournament results. The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027 will be held from January 27-31, while the 2029 edition is scheduled for January 24-28.
Qualification Timeline for FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026
To secure a place in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, clubs must triumph in their respective continental championships. Key dates include:
AFC Women’s Champions League Final: May 24, 2025
CAF Women’s Champions League Final: November 23, 2025
Concacaf W Champions Cup Final: May 24, 2025
CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina Final: October 18, 2025
OFC Women’s Champions League Final: May 17, 2025
UEFA Women’s Champions League Final: May 24, 2025
With these groundbreaking tournaments, FIFA is setting the stage for an exciting new era in women’s club football, providing unparalleled opportunities for teams to compete at the highest level on a truly global stage.
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