Brazil Steps Up to Host 2029 Club World Cup After Talks with FIFA

Brazil has officially thrown its hat in the ring to host the 2029 Men’s Club World Cup. The idea gained serious traction during a recent meeting between Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) president Sami Xaud and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Miami. While nothing is locked in yet, the message is clear—Brazil wants it, and FIFA isn’t opposed.

“We had an initial conversation,” Xaud said through the CBF’s official website. “I talked about my plans as the new president of the CBF and our desire to be closer to FIFA. I complimented the current tournament and the quality of Brazilian clubs, and I offered our country to host the next Club World Cup. President Gianni Infantino was very positive and said it was absolutely possible. Now, it’s up to us to make it happen. It’s going to be a big goal.” The conversation took place at the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2025 in Miami. For Xaud, who took over the CBF presidency in May after Ednaldo Rodrigues was removed by court order, this could be the defining move early in his tenure. 

The current Club World Cup is happening in the United States, and there’s been strong speculation that FIFA might keep the tournament there in 2029 as well. That would extend a wild run of international events hosted in the US—including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and potentially even the 2031 Women’s World Cup. 

There are clear commercial motivations for keeping the tournament in the US. Big-name European clubs stand to gain massively from sponsorship deals and American exposure. But Brazil’s pitch isn’t without weight—especially when you consider the nation’s deep football culture, fan engagement, and infrastructure. And the timing is pretty solid too. Brazil will already be hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup, and it still has world-class stadiums in place from the 2014 Men’s World Cup. A Club World Cup just two years later would slip nicely into the schedule. If Brazil gets the nod, they’re expected to hand a spot in the tournament to the 2028 Brazilian Serie A champions. 

Though it’s not a formal bid yet, Brazil’s move signals serious intent. Four Brazilian clubs—Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo—are already qualified for the 2025 edition of the Club World Cup, thanks to their recent Copa Libertadores titles. With that kind of presence on the pitch, hosting the next edition would be a natural next step. Brazilian fans are already dialed in. The ongoing tournament in the US has seen massive participation from them, from watch parties on the beaches to packed fan zones in cities. Infantino himself shared photos of Brazilian fans celebrating from afar, a nod to just how plugged in the country's fanbase is. 

However, Brazil isn’t the only nation eyeing the 2029 Club World Cup. Australia has made some noise about putting in a bid, while Morocco’s football chief Fouzi Lekjaa has said they might team up with Spain and Portugal to host the tournament—right before the 2030 men’s World Cup, which the trio will co-host. So, the race is on. But with a strong football legacy, solid infrastructure, and undeniable fan passion, Brazil has positioned itself as a serious contender. The ball is now in FIFA’s court.