Real Madrid lead push for more Club World Cup changes as FIFA weighs biennial tournament – Football

Real Madrid are among several top European clubs urging FIFA to further reshape the Club World Cup format, with discussions ongoing about increasing the tournament’s frequency. 

The revamped 32-team edition debuted in the United States this summer, where Chelsea lifted the trophy after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

FIFA is considering staging the event every two years following the 2029 edition. Madrid, along with Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli, are said to be lobbying for this change, eyeing both competitive prestige and financial incentives. 

The Blues earned around £85 million ($115m) in prize money this year, sparking heightened interest among Europe’s elite clubs in FIFA’s revenue-sharing opportunities.

Despite the growing pressure, FIFA is reportedly reluctant to stage another tournament in 2027, as it would clash with the international match calendar already mapped out until 2030. 

The governing body is also facing mounting legal battles with domestic leagues, including a complaint from the Premier League to the European Commission accusing FIFA of “abuse of dominance.”

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has voiced strong opposition to FIFA’s approach. 

“The leagues and the players have not been consulted at all on the timing and scheduling of the competition,” Masters stressed, calling for proper dialogue before any changes are made. He warned that the expanded Club World Cup risks directly disrupting domestic seasons if not handled carefully.

UEFA is also expected to resist changes, with suggestions that FIFA might scrap the June international break to accommodate the Club World Cup. 

Such a move would likely spark conflict with UEFA, who already stage the Nations League finals during the same period. The tug-of-war underscores the growing tension between club, league, and international football authorities.

For now, FIFA plans to move ahead with the 2029 tournament, but with major clubs intensifying their calls for a biennial event, the battle over scheduling and control of the global football calendar is far from over.

The debate highlights the increasing commercial weight of the Club World Cup, with Europe’s biggest teams determined to secure a larger slice of the game’s booming revenues.