Several teams reportedly want to run back the Club World Cup every two years

The football world is abuzz with whispers that a significant number of top clubs are championing the idea of transforming the FIFA Club World Cup into a biennial fixture. This comes on the heels of the highly anticipated expanded 32-team format set to debut in the summer of 2025 in the United States. While the initial iteration of the mega-tournament is still over a year away, the reported enthusiasm from key club stakeholders suggests a deeper, more permanent shift in the global football landscape might be on the horizon. Could this push signify the start of a concerted effort to embed this intercontinental showdown as a regular, high-stakes event in the football calendar?

The motivations behind such a push are multifaceted, primarily driven by the irresistible allure of increased revenue and global brand exposure. For clubs, especially those outside of Europe's traditional powerhouses, a biennial Club World Cup offers an unparalleled platform to showcase their talent on a truly global stage, attracting new fan bases, lucrative sponsorship deals, and significant prize money. The expanded format itself promises a financial windfall for participants, and making it a more frequent occurrence would undoubtedly create a consistent, powerful revenue stream that could help bridge financial gaps, fund infrastructure projects, and attract top talent. Beyond the financial incentives, there's the undeniable sporting prestige of being crowned the world's best club, a title that would gain even more significance if contested more regularly, fostering intense rivalries and memorable moments that resonate across continents.

However, the path to a biennial Club World Cup is fraught with considerable challenges, not least of which is the already congested international football calendar. Player welfare remains a paramount concern, with athletes facing increasingly demanding schedules that stretch their physical and mental limits. Adding another major tournament every two years would inevitably intensify the strain, potentially leading to more injuries and burnout. Domestic leagues and continental competitions, which are the lifeblood of club football for the vast majority of the year, could also feel the squeeze, leading to potential scheduling conflicts and debates over player availability. Resistance from national federations, player unions, and even some continental bodies, protective of their own competitions and player resources, is almost guaranteed. Balancing commercial ambition with sporting integrity and player well-being will be the ultimate tightrope walk for FIFA and the advocating clubs.

Ultimately, the success and reception of the 2025 Club World Cup will serve as a crucial litmus test for the viability of a biennial format. If it proves to be a commercial and sporting triumph, the clamor for more frequent editions will only intensify, potentially pushing FIFA to prioritize this global club spectacle. The reported interest from clubs signals a clear desire for more opportunities to compete for global supremacy and tap into new markets. While the logistical hurdles and player welfare concerns are significant, the financial upside and prestige could well drive a fundamental restructuring of the international club football calendar, making the Club World Cup a cornerstone rather than an occasional highlight. The coming years will reveal whether this ambitious vision can truly take root and reshape the beautiful game as we know it.