Why FIFA Club World Cup was not held in 2024?

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :June 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM

Modified at :June 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM

The competition has been expanded to 32 teams from seven.

Following the conclusion of its 2023 competition, the FIFA Club World Cup experienced some significant modifications as part of the world governing body’s ambitious growth plans.

FIFA announced in 2022 that they had authorised plans to expand the Club World Cup from seven teams to 32, starting in 2025.

Numerous sources criticised the decision, with players’ organisation FIFPro asserting that FIFA did not consult them on the addition of further games to an already packed club and international season schedule.

As part of the larger preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would be staged jointly in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA moved forward with the new format in 2025 despite the protests.

Why was there no FIFA Club World Cup in 2024?

The main justification for not holding a FIFA Club World Cup in 2024 is to give club teams time to get ready for more competition in 2025 and to serve as a World Cup test for the host nations in 2026.

The elimination of the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup gave World Cup organisers an additional year to prepare for hosting the 2025 Club World Cup in the USA. It also gives club teams a respite in a year that also happens to be Euro 2024.

FIFA’s decision to expand the number of Club World Cup entries to 32 is a daring one at a time when large clubs are growing increasingly irritated at the organisation’s lack of communication and consideration in these kinds of decisions.

FIFA has stated that in addition to the increased number of teams, the tournament would henceforth take place every four years rather than annually.

The qualifying rules will also be changed, giving UEFA 12 spaces, CONMEBOL 6 spots, and CONCACAF, the OFC, and AFC 4 spots each.

The Champions League winners from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 will compete from Europe; Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City were already been chosen.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.