History Beckons: USA to Host the First Women’s Club World Cup in 2028

History is coming to the United States. Fifa has confirmed that the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup will kick off in January 2028, with Arsenal, Barcelona and Gotham among seven clubs already booked. The 19-team showpiece promises a brand new global stage for the women’s club game.

A New Global Stage for Women’s Club Football

The United States will stage the first Women’s Club World Cup from 5 to 30 January 2028. The tournament is designed to echo the revamped men’s Club World Cup and will be played every four years.

The hosts arrive with serious credentials. The US staged the men’s Club World Cup in 2025 and co-hosted this summer’s men’s World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

There is more to come. The US will also co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup with Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico, cementing its place at the centre of Fifa’s major events calendar.

Why the US Won the Bid

Fifa’s chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman pointed to a combination of factors behind the decision.

“Ultimately, 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.”

It is a clear vote of confidence in a market where the women’s game continues to grow at pace.

Who Has Qualified So Far?

Seven clubs have already secured their spots, and the list spans the globe. It is a mix of European heavyweights, North American powerhouses and sides from South America and Asia.

Arsenal arrive as the winners of the first Champions Cup, which took place in February. That gives the Gunners real momentum heading into the new competition.

The Tournament at a Glance

How the Remaining Places Will Be Filled

A further 12 clubs will be confirmed at a later date. Fifa has outlined how the confederations will be represented.

Six more European clubs will be selected to represent Uefa. The AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), Concacaf (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) and Conmebol (South America) will have three clubs apiece. Oceania’s OFC will send one.

Bareman said the tournament will let clubs “tell their story, expand their fanbase and represent their club on the world stage.” She added that they have “thoroughly earned this opportunity to be part of history.”

Scheduling Concerns Loom Large

Not everyone is celebrating without reservation. Earlier this year, the Women’s Super League described the scheduling of the Club World Cup as potentially “catastrophic”.

The tournament lands in the middle of the domestic season. It is the second mid-season women’s competition introduced by Fifa in recent years, following the Champions Cup.

The Player Welfare Debate

The announcement also arrives amid a wider conversation about the women’s game. Fifpro recently warned that the sport’s billion-dollar boom is leaving players behind.

Fixture congestion, player workload and fair reward will stay in the spotlight as the calendar fills up. Leagues, clubs and players will all be watching how Fifa balances ambition with welfare.

What Comes Next?

With seven clubs locked in and 12 places still up for grabs, the race to qualify is about to heat up. Fans can expect plenty of storylines as the remaining spots are decided across every confederation.

For now, one thing is certain. January 2028 will mark a landmark moment, as the best women’s clubs on the planet finally meet on one global stage.