The United States is on course to host the first Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028, placing another major FIFA event on North American soil. Talks are at an advanced stage, with Los Angeles and San Diego among the frontrunners to stage matches, while Qatar had also been in discussions before the balance shifted.
USA emerges as the leading host
The tournament is expected to feature 19 teams and begin on 5 January 2028, making it one of the most ambitious additions to the women’s game’s international calendar. Although the deal is not yet formally confirmed, the path appears clear for the US to host without the need for a full bidding process.
This would add to a growing run of high-profile FIFA tournaments in North America. The US recently hosted the expanded men’s Club World Cup format and will also be central to future global events, including the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2031 Women’s World Cup alongside Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
Why the timing matters
The January slot helps FIFA avoid a clash with the men’s Copa América, which the US is also expected to host in the summer of 2028. But the scheduling creates a broader concern: an increasingly crowded calendar for elite women’s footballers.
The Club World Cup will sit between the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, both of which are expected to demand full-strength squads. That has already prompted debate among top clubs, with some backing a rule change that would limit players to one major international tournament per year, whether for club or country.
A source familiar with the conversations said the event is being treated as a key test case for the women’s game. “FIFA will want to show this can work commercially and competitively before scaling up further,” the source noted.
A test run for bigger ambitions
FIFA is also expected to use the tournament as a rehearsal for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The governing body wants to assess stadium venues, ticket pricing, fan demand and operational logistics before staging a much larger 48-team global event three years later.
That makes the 2028 competition more than just a new trophy. It becomes a practical proving ground for how the women’s game can grow in scale, reach and commercial value. For FIFA, the quick turnaround between planning and kickoff adds pressure, especially with marketing and venue decisions still to be finalised.
What comes next
Questions remain around how the broadcast and commercial structure will be completed, especially after concerns were raised over delays in FIFA’s leadership and wider competition planning. European clubs have already pushed for clarity on future tournament agreements before television rights are sold.
The 2029 men’s Club World Cup is also awaiting a venue, but if the women’s event is confirmed in the US, that could influence FIFA’s broader hosting plans. A joint bid from Morocco, Spain and Portugal is now viewed as a more likely option for that competition.
For now, the women’s game is heading toward another landmark moment. If the US deal is completed, January 2028 will mark the first edition of a tournament designed to widen the club game’s global footprint and create another major stage for the sport’s biggest stars.
