US set to stage inaugural women’s Club World Cup in 2028
The United States is set to host the inaugural Women's Club World Cup in January 2028, marking the latest major FIFA tournament to be staged in North America. Los Angeles and San Diego are among the favoured venues for the 19-team competition, which FIFA intends to use as a test run for the larger 2031 Women's World Cup that the US will co-host with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on 5 January 2028, positioned between the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, creating an intense calendar for elite players who are urging for rule changes to limit participation to one international tournament annually. Although no formal agreement has been finalised, the pathway has been cleared for the US to host without a competitive bidding process, with FIFA approval expected on 23 November; the rushed timeline reflects recent upheaval in FIFA's leadership that has created a backlog of hosting decisions.
- USA set to host first Women's Club World Cup in January 2028
- 19-team event will test FIFA's readiness for 2031 Women's World Cup
- Tournament squeezes between World Cup and Olympics, straining player schedules
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Proponents view this tournament as a historic milestone that elevates women's club football to parity with men's competitions, creating prestigious international pathways for elite teams and demonstrating FIFA's substantive commitment to gender equality in sport. The United States has proven infrastructure and track record for delivering major tournaments successfully, and hosting serves as valuable preparation for the larger 2031 Women's World Cup. The economic benefits, global visibility, and sporting legacy for host cities represent genuine advancement of women's football as a professional enterprise.
The case against
Critics raise legitimate concerns that player welfare has been subordinated to tournament expansion, particularly given that elite athletes themselves are already urging changes to limit participation. Scheduling a major club competition in January 2028, immediately following the 2027 Women's World Cup and preceding the 2028 Olympics, creates an unsustainable calendar that increases injury risk and burnout. The rushed decision-making driven by FIFA's internal leadership upheaval, without competitive bidding or formal agreements, suggests this expansion prioritises administrative expediency and commercial interests over the long-term health of the sport and its players.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “United States lined up to host first Women’s Club World Cup”.