The inaugural edition of the Women's Club World Cup is set to kick off in January-February 2026, as announced by FIFA. The 16-team tournament will be a quadrennial event, aimed at elevating the status of women's football globally. This initiative was first revealed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in May 2021, as part of a broader strategy to revolutionize the women's game.
During the recent FIFA Council meeting held ahead of the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, the specifics of the Women's Club World Cup were discussed. While detailed information was not provided, it is anticipated that the tournament will feature top clubs from the UEFA Women's Champions League, teams from the National Women's Soccer League in the United States, and other clubs from regions where women's football is still developing.
In addition to the Women's Club World Cup, FIFA also approved a revised calendar that prioritizes player and coach well-being by incorporating more opportunities for rest and recovery. This move is seen as a significant step towards enhancing competitiveness and promoting the growth of women's football worldwide.
FIFA President Infantino expressed his enthusiasm for the new developments, stating that the amendments to the regulations and the Women's International Match Calendar mark a crucial milestone in advancing the women's game to a higher level of prominence and excellence.
Furthermore, the FIFA Council officially appointed Mattias Grafstrom as the FIFA Secretary General, following his interim nomination in October of the previous year. Grafstrom, a lifelong football enthusiast with a diverse background in the sport, expressed his deep sense of pride and responsibility in taking on this new role, considering it the most significant challenge of his professional career.
