FIFA is reportedly set to raise the limit on clubs per country from two to three for the expanded Club World Cup, potentially benefiting English teams like Liverpool and Arsenal. This change follows criticism of the inaugural 32-team tournament held this summer in the United States. The decision could be discussed at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich.
The revamped FIFA Club World Cup, which debuted this summer with 32 teams in the United States, faced backlash for excluding recent champions from major leagues. England's representatives were Manchester City, winners of the 2023 Champions League, and Chelsea, the 2021 victors. Notably absent were Liverpool (England), Napoli (Italy), and Barcelona (Spain), prompting questions about the tournament's legitimacy as a showcase of the world's top clubs.
According to reports from The Times, FIFA plans to lift the restriction of a maximum of two clubs per nation to three, a move that would not encounter resistance from UEFA. This adjustment aims to address the criticisms and include more elite sides in future editions. Officials at FIFA believe this could enhance the competition's credibility.
However, proposals to shift the tournament from its current four-year cycle to a biennial format are unlikely to gain traction. Expansion beyond 32 teams is also off the table. The future of the Club World Cup, next scheduled for 2029, will likely feature in discussions at the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on Thursday, where various football governance topics will be reviewed.
For English football, this potential boost could see Liverpool and Arsenal qualify alongside Manchester City and Chelsea, depending on Champions League successes. The change underscores FIFA's response to stakeholder feedback following the summer event.
