FIFA has announced new financial support for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and confirmed the United States as the host nation for the first edition of the Women’s Club World Cup. The news marks two significant developments in the growth of women’s soccer.
FIFA Women’s Club World Cup Host Announced
Gotham FC will have the opportunity to compete on the global stage when the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup arrives in the United States in January 2028. FIFA confirmed the host nation on Thursday, establishing a new international competition for women’s club football.
The 19-team tournament will run from January 5 through January 30, 2028. FIFA has not yet disclosed which U.S. cities will host the matches, leaving venue announcements as one of the next major milestones ahead of the competition.
For American soccer, the tournament represents another opportunity to showcase the domestic women’s game on an international stage. Gotham FC is among the seven clubs that have already secured qualification, alongside teams from Mexico, England, Spain, North Korea, Brazil and China.
Arsenal Women FC, Club América Femenil, FC Barcelona Femení, Naegohyang Women’s FC, SC Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda WFC complete the list of confirmed participants.
FIFA selected the United States after evaluating its experience hosting major international sporting events, its infrastructure and the growing interest in women’s football. The country hosted the expanded men’s Club World Cup in 2025 and was one of the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final.
FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer Dame Sarai Bareman explained: “We undertook a detailed assessment to identify the most suitable host for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. Ultimately, the United States’ recent excellence in staging top FIFA tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women’s football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option.”
The United States is also expected to co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, pending FIFA’s formal approval.
How the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup Will Work
The inaugural competition will feature clubs from all six continental confederations, with qualification based on continental competitions and club rankings covering the 2024-2027 period.
UEFA will receive six places, while Concacaf, CONMEBOL, the AFC and CAF will each have three. The OFC will be represented by one club.
FIFA also established provisions for situations in which a club wins multiple editions of the UEFA Women’s Champions League during the qualification period. In those cases, additional places will be allocated using the applicable club ranking.
The format creates a new route for clubs to compete for a global title beyond their domestic leagues and continental tournaments. For Gotham FC, qualification offers a chance to measure itself against champions and leading sides from different footballing regions.
FIFA Raises Preparation Funding for the 2027 Women’s World Cup
Alongside the club competition announcement, FIFA approved $2.5 million in preparation funding for every federation participating in the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The $2.5 million allocated to each participating federation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches the preparation funding provided to teams competing in the 2026 men’s World Cup. It represents a significant increase from the $960,000 allocated to each federation for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
FIFA further stated that players at the 2027 tournament will receive the same levels of service as their male counterparts did in 2026. A portion of the available funding will also be reserved specifically for players.
At the previous Women’s World Cup, FIFA guaranteed each participating player a minimum payment of $30,000. The latest announcement continues the governing body’s efforts to expand financial support for the women’s game, although the preparation funds allocated to federations are distinct from payments made directly to players.
With the 2027 national-team tournament approaching and the first Women’s Club World Cup now scheduled, FIFA is developing two major competitions that will shape the international women’s football calendar over the next two years.
Alejandro Orellana is an accomplished sports journalist based in Mexico City, known for his incisive coverage of Club América and the Mexican National Team. A graduate of Journalism from Escuela de Periodismo Carlos Septien García, Alejandro brings a deep understanding of sports media to his work. His expertise extends to SEO and content creation, allowing him to produce engaging and discoverable sports narratives. He has contributed as a freelance writer for Goal.com, where he notably conducted interviews with MLS players, further showcasing his comprehensive interviewing skills. Prior to this, Alejandro dedicated five years to ESPN’s production department, contributing to renowned shows including SportsCenter, Futbol Picante, and NFL Live. His insightful articles can be found on platforms such as Deportrece and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with Alejandro on @soyalexorellana and Tik Tok to stay updated with his latest work. His commitment to journalistic integrity ensures every piece offers valuable and trustworthy insights for sports enthusiasts.
