Rabat—UEFA is reportedly now prepared to support FIFA’s proposal to expand the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup to 48 teams. This is a huge shift, especially after years of tension where both sides were constantly at odds over international calendar congestion and how much football players could actually handle.
The breakthrough came after negotiations in February, where both sides finally found some common ground. FIFA will keep the tournament on a four-year cycle. By sticking to a four-year schedule, FIFA effectively buried the “biennial” dream which was an idea long opposed by UEFA. For them, this was a huge win, as it removes the direct threat to the Champions League’s status as the world’s top club competition.
UEFA will not oppose the expansion of the Club World Cup to 48 teams. The agreement was made possible after FIFA committed to keeping the tournament on its current four-year cycle, ruling out the idea of holding it every two years.
With this understanding, UEFA is expected to… pic.twitter.com/6QiQTSZJ6z
— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) February 19, 2026
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What has changed
Under the proposed expansion, Europe would receive 16 slots, up from 12 in the current 32-team format. The increase acts as a safety net for European clubs, as it would widen access for the big ones that previously failed to qualify, including powerhouses such as Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United.
More interestingly, African football could be represented by 6 or 7 clubs. A big opportunity for the continent.
For UEFA, the additional places mitigate competitive and commercial risks. For FIFA, broader European representation strengthens broadcast value and global appeal.
The map for the 2029 host is also starting to pull together. Spain and Morocco have jumped to the front of the line to co-host, which would turn the expanded Club World Cup into the last test. It’s the perfect chance for them to test their operations on a huge scale just one year before they team up with Portugal for the 2030 World Cup
Despite the UEFA-FIFA alignment, opposition has not disappeared. The World Leagues Association and players’ union FIFPRO continue to push back, arguing that further expansion intensifies player workload and increases injury risk in an already saturated calendar.
The proposal is headed for the FIFA Council’s desk later this year for the final stamp of approval. If it’s approved, this should be a total transformation of the game and probably the most significant structural change in global club football since the competition’s modern relaunch.
