Brazilian football officials have formally expressed their strong interest to FIFA in hosting the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. This significant request was made during a high-profile visit by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Rio de Janeiro on January 26, 2026, where he was welcomed by senior representatives of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
President Infantino’s visit to Brazil primarily centered around the launch of initiatives for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Brazil in 2027. For this prestigious women’s football tournament, Brazil is preparing to utilize stadiums in eight cities across the country, marking a nationwide effort to host the event.
During his stay, the FIFA chief engaged in key meetings with several prominent figures, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the manager of the Brazilian national football team Carlo Ancelotti, CBF President Samir Xaud, and Vice President Gustavo Dias Henrique. These discussions, held in Rio de Janeiro, encompassed detailed planning and preparations for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
It was within these crucial discussions that CBF senior officials seized the opportunity to convey their ambition to bring the Club World Cup (CWC) to Brazil in 2029.
The upcoming 2025 Club World Cup, which introduces a revamped format featuring 32 participating teams for the first time, has been notably awarded to the United States as its host nation without a formal bidding process. FIFA’s decision to grant the USA hosting rights for the 2025 CWC is strategic, aiming to evaluate organizational standards, test venue readiness, and understand various climatic factors. This assessment is considered vital preparation for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
While FIFA has not yet officially announced the bidding timeline for nations aspiring to host the 2029 CWC, CBF President Samir Xaud indicated that President Infantino responded positively to Brazil’s proposition. Xaud further revealed that he had previously discussed this matter with the FIFA President during a Club World Cup event in the United States last year, where they observed a match between Flamengo and LAFC. The CBF President expressed confidence, asserting that Brazil is now “nearing” the acquisition of hosting rights for the 2029 Club World Cup.
In related news concerning the 2029 Club World Cup, Flamengo has already secured its qualification as the first Brazilian team for this expanded tournament. Their qualification was achieved by winning the Copa Libertadores in 2025, a premier South American football competition organized by CONMEBOL.
