FIFA is moving ahead with plans to expand the Club World Cup, scheduled to be held in 2029, to 48 teams. The plan is being driven by a joint venture with European club lobby group EFC, led by Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, which is similar to an existing joint venture with UEFA. FIFA has been impressed by the commercial success of this joint venture, with increased media and sponsorship income in club competitions such as UEFA's Champions League. \n\nThe proposed expansion follows the failure of the champions of England, Spain and Italy to compete in the first 32-team competition. FIFA had placed restrictions on participation in these competitions, but the EFC wants to remove the restrictions on participation from each country and allow teams at the top of the UEFA coefficient, such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, to participate. \n\nIncreasing Europe's participation is expected to improve the commercial value of the competition and resolve past problems with sales of television rights. Chelsea earned approximately 8.4 billion yen in last year's 32-team competition, and other big European clubs followed suit and asked FIFA to expand the competition. \n\nAbout 74 billion yen in prize money was paid out at last year's tournament, but 18.5 billion yen in joint payments owed to clubs around the world is still unresolved. The joint venture reflects improved relations between FIFA and Europe's elite clubs, including Real Madrid's return to the EFC after officially leaving the Super League project. Once the current financial issues are resolved, the focus will shift fully to the 2029 Games.
