FIFA have announced a new club competition in womens football in the form of the Womens Club World Cup, set to take place in January 2028.
Concerns have emerged over fixture congestion and the possible disruption to domestic leagues, as well as where the competition may be held, with Qatar expressing an interest.
Following Qatar hosting the 2022 mens World Cup, they hosted the Intercontinental Cup last year and are set to host the mens Finalissima later this year, however they have not staged a major womens events, and do not even have a FIFA-ranked womens team.
What is the Womens Club World Cup?
Originally set to debut in 2026, the inaugural Womens Club World Cup will take place from January 5 to 30 2028 and is expected to take place every four years.
The tournament will feature 16 teams, including at least five from Europe and two each from North America, South America, Africa and Asia. A qualifying competition will be held among the non-European confederations to determine the remaining participants.
The timing of the tournament means domestic leagues in Europe will be disrupted, alongside leagues in Australia, Mexico and Japan. This has intensified concerns about fixture congestion in a womens calendar that is already becoming increasingly crowded.
Head of women's football at the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) Deborah Dilworth expressed serious concerns in a letter to the CEOs of both the Football Association (FA) and the Women's Super League (WSL).
Will Qatar host it?
A proposed bid from Qatar to host the next edition of the mens Club World Cup was ruled out after FIFA confirmed the tournament would be held in the northern hemisphere summer of 2029.
The Womens Club World Cup, however, is scheduled for January 2028. Although FIFA has not confirmed a host nation or announced a formal bidding process, Qatar has emerged as a strong contender due to its winter climate and close relationship with the governing body.
The prospect of Qatar hosting the tournament has been met with backlash. Identifying as LGBTQ+ remains illegal in the country, and Qatar has a limited history in womens football.
The womens national team was formed in 2009 during preparations for the 2022 mens World Cup bid, but it has not played an official match for 12 years and the team does not hold a FIFA ranking.
