UEFA Not Opposed to 48-Team Club World Cup Proposal

Significant developments have recently emerged in the relationship between FIFA and UEFA, following UEFA's announcement that it is ready to support FIFA's plan to expand the Club World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, starting from the 2029 edition.

UEFA had previously expressed strong reservations about the expansion idea, fearing that the tournament might impact the status and importance of the Champions League within Europe. However, recent stances indicate an unprecedented improvement in relations between the leaderships of the two federations.

The new agreement comes with clear conditions: support for the project (increasing the number of clubs) in exchange for FIFA's commitment not to hold the tournament biennially, as previously proposed. Instead, it is expected to take place every four years, which would reduce pressure on the match calendar and balance various competitions, according to reports from The Guardian.

In the previous 32-team edition of the Club World Cup, major clubs such as Barcelona, Manchester United, and Liverpool were absent from the competition. This prompted FIFA to reconsider the participation system to ensure greater representation for traditional global clubs.

Economically, expanding the tournament means a significant increase in revenues and commercial returns, especially with the anticipated rise in participating European clubs to 16 teams. This would boost prize money and enhance the tournament's appeal to fans and marketers alike.

However, the project is not without its challenges. Legal proceedings are still ongoing against FIFA from the European Leagues organization concerning the international match calendar, adding a complex legal dimension to the implementation of the final plan.