The new FIFA Club World Cup starts June 14 across the United States. Thirty-two teams from six world football groups will compete for one month. The tournament serves as practice for the bigger 48-team World Cup coming to America, Canada and Mexico during summer 2026. FIFA plans to hold this expanded club competition every four years. The event replaces the old seven-team format that happened annually.
Teams earned their spots based on performances from 2021 through 2024. Continental championship winners from each year received automatic entry. The best clubs from each region over that period also qualified through special rankings. UEFA grabbed the most spots with twelve teams making the cut. Other regions received fewer places based on their football strength.
Inter Miami joined as the host country representative from Major League Soccer. Los Angeles FC secured the final American spot after beating Club America during a playoff match. That game decided who would take the place left empty when Mexican club Leon got kicked out. FIFA removed Leon from the tournament back in March for breaking ownership rules. The competition features clubs from every continent for the first time.
Teams earned their spots based on performances from 2021 through 2024. Continental championship winners from each year received automatic entry. The best clubs from each region over that period also qualified through special rankings. UEFA grabbed the most spots with twelve teams making the cut. Other regions received fewer places based on their football strength.
Inter Miami joined as the host country representative from Major League Soccer. Los Angeles FC secured the final American spot after beating Club America during a playoff match. That game decided who would take the place left empty when Mexican club Leon got kicked out. FIFA removed Leon from the tournament back in March for breaking ownership rules. The competition features clubs from every continent for the first time.
