Qatar in discussions with FIFA to host Women's Club World Cup in 2028: report

Qatar has reportedly expressed its interest to FIFA in hosting the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup in 2028, The Guardian reported on Monday, reflecting the Gulf country’s ambitions to host more global football tournaments, following the success of the men’s World Cup in 2022.

When the 2028 Women's World Cup was announced in 2024, FIFA did not reveal which country would organise the competition, or whether it would welcome a bidding process from potential host nations.

Qatar most recently hosted the Intercontinental Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil’s Flamengo in December, and is set to host in March the second edition of the men’s Finalissima between Spain and Argentina, the European and South American champions, respectively. 

It also held the U-17 FIFA World Cup and the Arab Cup late last year, as well as the 2024 Trophee des Champions final, the equivalent of England’s Community Shield.

In 2022, the country hosted the men's FIFA World Cup, the first to be held in the Middle East and during the winter season.

Despite the tournament being relatively well-received after Argentina beat France in a dramatic final, Doha’s hosting rights were first met with skepticism and criticism, amid concerns over the Gulf nation’s football culture, women, and LGBTQ rights, as well as the conditions surrounding migrant workers.

While Qatar has yet to be confirmed as hosts, its close relations with FIFA, chiefly its president Gianni Infantino, and the warm winter temperatures, make the country a favourable contender to host the cup.

Concerns, however, will likely be raised over the women’s competition taking place in a culturally conservative country, as well as its disruption of the clubs’ domestic leagues, including those in Europe and Africa.

From 2028, the Women’s Club World Cup will take place every four years. It will also adopt a similar format to that of the men’s edition. 

The competition is due to take place between 5 and 30 January 2028, and will feature 19 women’s club teams.

At least five from Europe, and two each from Asia, Africa, South America, and North America will take part. A club from each of those five confederations and one from Oceania will play in a qualifying tournament to decide the last three competitors.

England’s Arsenal, Brazil’s Corinthians, Morocco’s AS FAR, China’s Wuhan Jiangda, and the US’s Gotham FC are expected to participate based on continental trophies won during the 2024-2025 football season.

The competition was initially set to start this year, but was forced be postponed until 2028 after the creation of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.