FIFA has announced the launch of a new global club competition for women’s football, the Women’s Champions Cup, set to begin next year. The six-team tournament will feature club champions from different continents, providing an international platform for elite competition.
The introduction of this tournament comes alongside a decision to delay the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, which was initially scheduled for 2026 but will now take place in 2028. The postponement is intended to create room in the football calendar and ensure smooth integration of additional fixtures. Once launched, the Women’s Club World Cup will be held every four years.
In the meantime, the Women’s Champions Cup will take place annually, except in years when the Club World Cup is played. The competition format will see the champions of Asia and Oceania face each other, with the winner advancing to play Africa’s top club. The winner of that match will then move on to a semi-final clash against Europe’s club champion. The other semi-final will feature the best teams from North and Central America (Concacaf) and South America. A final and a third-place match will determine the standings.
Next year’s semi-finals are set for January 28, with the final and third-place match scheduled for February 1. The specific dates for the earlier rounds are yet to be confirmed.
The decision to introduce cross-confederation competition has been met with widespread support, particularly as it aligns with the commercial ambitions of club football. With the recent establishment of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League and the Concacaf W Champions Cup, all six confederations now have an official club champion for the first time, making an intercontinental competition more feasible.
As for the Women’s Club World Cup, its first host will be announced soon. The 16-team format will feature two automatic slots each for Asia, Africa, Concacaf, and South America, while UEFA will receive five spots. Oceania will not have an automatic place, but six clubs one from each confederation will compete in playoffs to claim the final three spots in the tournament.
The introduction of these tournaments is expected to mark a significant step forward in the development of women’s club football. Prize money details will be presented to the FIFA Council, along with a review of transfer windows, to ensure that the competition aligns with different confederation schedules.
