The Premier League's top guns are about to get a major boost in their quest for global dominance as FIFA and European Football Clubs (EFC) join forces to shake up the Club World Cup. The deal, which is set to revolutionise the tournament from its 2029 edition, will likely open the floodgates for more Premier League clubs to participate in the highly lucrative competition.
Last year's expanded 32-team tournament, held Stateside, was a huge success, with Chelsea raking in an impressive £84 million in prize money. That eye-watering sum has sent shockwaves through the European football community, prompting other major clubs to push for their chance to shine on the world stage.
The likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli were notable absentees from last year's tournament, missing out due to strict qualification rules that limited entry to just four previous UEFA Champions League winners and eight top-ranked clubs. But with EFC, chaired by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi, now advocating for the removal or relaxation of this per-country cap, English football is set to benefit significantly.
With Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City all boasting top-eight UEFA coefficients, the number of Premier League clubs vying for a spot in the expanded tournament could soar. And it's not just about the on-field action – EFC's commercial expertise has already caught FIFA's attention, with the governing body reportedly impressed by its work with UEFA to boost media and sponsorship revenues by 25%.
But before all eyes turn to the 2029 tournament's structure, EFC is focused on finalising the redistribution formula for the £185 million solidarity payments owed to clubs worldwide. The delayed payments have caused frustration among recipients, but once this is sorted, attention will shift to making the Club World Cup a more inclusive and lucrative competition.
FIFA has already secured a major TV deal with Dazn worth $1 billion (£0.76 billion), following a significant investment by Surj Sports Investments backed by the Saudi Arabian government. The writing's on the wall – Premier League clubs are about to get their chance to shine on the world stage, and English football will be the biggest beneficiary.