FIFA have approved plans for an expanded Club World Cup - which is a tournament Newcastle United could be eligible for in the years to come if the club's owners realise their long-term ambitions.
Like the international World Cup, the new-look competition will see 32 teams split into eight groups of four before a knockout stage then whittles down the 16 teams who progress. The tournament, which will be held every four years, from June, 2025, will have a dozen representatives from Europe; six from South America; four each from Asia, Africa and North America; and one from Oceania. The final place will go to the host nation.
The European representatives will be made up of the four most recent Champions League winners and the eight highest ranked teams in UEFA's coefficient rankings. There is a limit of two places per country, but up to four including the Champions League winners
