FIFA is considering a proposal to hold the Club World Cup every two years starting in 2029, a move that could further strain the international match calendar and spark opposition from leagues like the Premier League and UEFA. The next Club World Cup is scheduled for four years from now, following the expanded 32-team tournament held in the United States in the summer of 2025, but FIFA is facing pressure from prominent clubs to transition to a biennial event.

Real Madrid reportedly initiated discussions about a two-year cycle with FIFA in June, and the proposal has garnered support from other major clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli, who did not qualify for the 2025 tournament. These clubs are eager to capitalize on FIFA's substantial revenue streams, which are largely funded by Saudi Arabia's Surj Sports Investments.

Liverpool, in particular, narrowly missed out on participating in the 2025 edition despite meeting the criteria of being among the top eight ranked clubs in Europe. FIFA's rule of allowing a maximum of two teams from each country led to their exclusion, with Chelsea and Manchester City taking the English slots as recent Champions League winners. An exception to this rule is in place if more than two clubs from a single country win their continental competition during the qualifying period, as was the case with Brazil in 2025.

While FIFA sources indicate that there are no immediate plans to hold the Club World Cup in 2027, the situation could change after 2029, with the possibility of staging another tournament in 2031. The international match calendar is fixed until 2030, which limits FIFA's flexibility in the short term.

In addition to the frequency of the tournament, FIFA is also considering expanding the Club World Cup to include 48 teams. FIFA will present a proposal to increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 starting with the 2029 edition. This potential expansion aims to mirror the expansionist approach adopted in other FIFA tournaments, such as the men's World Cup in 2026 and the Women's World Cup in 2031. The goal is to enhance competitiveness, improve representation from various leagues and confederations, and address criticisms regarding notable exclusions.

The expansion was accompanied by the introduction of an annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup beginning in 2024. For the 2025 Club World Cup, FIFA announced a total prize pool of $1 billion. Some clubs and associations raised concerns regarding the congested calendar, travel requirements, and player workload.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously proposed expanding the Club World Cup to 32 teams as early as 2016 and moving the competition to June to better align with the international calendar and attract broadcasters and sponsors. By late 2017, FIFA shifted to a revised format, proposing a 24-team tournament held every four years starting in 2021 to replace the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in 2000. The current format, which came into effect with the 2025 edition, features 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation.

Several countries have expressed interest in hosting the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, including Australia (possibly in a joint bid with New Zealand), Brazil, and Qatar.