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FIFA Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup is an international men's association football tournament organized by FIFA to determine the world's top club team.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The FIFA Club World Cup is an international men's association football tournament organized by FIFA to determine the world's top club team. First held in 2000, it was expanded in 2025 to a 32-team event played every four years, with clubs qualifying through their continental confederations and the host nation.

History

The FIFA Club World Cup began in 2000 as FIFA’s competition for the world’s leading men’s club teams. It was later restructured into an expanded quadrennial tournament starting with the 2025 edition.

Format

Under the current format, 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four and play a round-robin group stage. The top two teams in each group advance to a knockout stage that ends with the final.

Qualification

Places are allocated across FIFA’s six continental confederations, with Europe receiving the most berths and Oceania the fewest. Qualification is based on continental competition performance and championship results over the relevant cycle.

Recent editions

The first tournament under the expanded format took place in the United States in 2025. The 2025 edition was won by Chelsea, who defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

Key facts

  • The tournament was founded in 2000 and is run by FIFA.
  • It brings together champion clubs and other qualified clubs from FIFA’s six continental confederations, plus a host-nation club.
  • The 2025 edition introduced a 32-team format.
  • The expanded tournament uses eight groups of four, followed by a knockout stage starting at the round of 16.
  • The new format is intended to be held every four years.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may recognize the tournament through Major League Soccer’s Canadian clubs and through the CONCACAF qualification pathway, which includes clubs from Canada, the United States, Central America and the Caribbean.[2][1]

Frequently asked questions

What is the FIFA Club World Cup?
It is FIFA’s tournament for determining the world’s top men’s club football team.
When was it founded?
It was founded in 2000.
How many teams are in the current format?
The current format has 32 teams.
How often is it held now?
The expanded version is intended to be held every four years.
How do teams qualify?
Teams qualify through their continental confederation competitions, with places distributed among FIFA’s six confederations and one host-nation slot.
Who won the 2025 tournament?
Chelsea won the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/FIFA-Club-World-Cup
    Supports: Founded in 2000; FIFA-organized international tournament; six confederations plus host nation; 2025 expansion to 32 teams and quadrennial format.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Club_World_Cup
    Supports: 32-team current format; eight groups of four; top two advance to round of 16; confederation allocation.
  3. BBC Sport — https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9835np3205o
    Supports: 2025 format details; 32 teams; every four years; U.S. host; group stage and knockout structure.
  4. Sports Illustrated — https://www.si.com/soccer/what-is-the-fifa-club-world-cup-complete-guide
    Supports: Confederation allocation, qualification overview, and 2025 tournament format.
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41959489/fifa-club-world-cup-format-schedule-why-lionel-messi-playing
    Supports: Qualification methods and quadrennial intent.
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_FIFA_Club_World_Cup
    Supports: Chelsea won the 2025 edition; final result.