FIFA has confirmed plans to introduce a FIFA Women's Club World Cup to the football calendar.
On the same day, the governing body of international football announced plans for an expanded men's Club World Cup, it was also confirmed a women's tournament would be in place for 2025. The exact format is yet to be disclosed, however it will bring together top sides from across the planet, with the winners crowned world champions of the women's club game.
FIFA also confirmed they will also establish a FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup in a social media post released on Friday morning. The news comes as president Gianni Infantino outlines his plans for the growth of the game at a news conference on the eve of the men's World Cup final.
In the post, FIFA described the launch of both tournaments as "exciting news" although specific details are still to be revealed. So far there has never been an official tournament involving Central American, South American and European teams coming together.
Although the first tournament is yet to be confirmed, it will be held in 2025 at the earliest. This is because a decision was taken by FIFA's council to extend the existing women’s calendar for the next three years.
A further statement from FIFA read: "In establishing the details of the new international match calendars, due consideration shall be given to the players’ health and well-being as a primary goal.
"All of the above key strategic principles will be detailed in consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the coming months."
The tournament has been on the table for a long time with serious discussions first taking place after Arsenal played Seattle Reign FC, now known as OL Reign, back in 2016, with Europe's best sides taking on the defending NWSL Shield holders. The men's equivalent tournament was first introduced back in 2000, morphing into its current format six years later.
It sees seven sides competing for the title, the six continental champions and the host nation's national champions. However, the women's competition is expected to see multiple teams from the same continent participate.
It raises the possibility of seeing European giants such as Barcelona, Lyon, Bayern Munich and Chelsea competing with established National Women's Soccer League clubs including OL Reign, Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride. The prospect of seeing the likes of Alex Morgan and Debinha going up against Sam Kerr and Keira Walsh at club level would undoubtedly excite fans around the world and could be a key route to FIFA growing the commercial side of the women's game.
In other news, Infantino also stated at the press conference that FIFA believes the women’s Olympic competition should contain 16 teams, the same as the men’s. Currently it is 12 teams.
From 2025 the men's FIFA Club World Cup will be expanded, from the current seven teams to 32. Since that tournament was launched, three English sides have won it - Chelsea becoming the third last year after Manchester United in 2008 and Liverpool in 2019.
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