FIFA 's ruling council has approved President Gianni Infantino ’s plans to expand the Club World Cup to a 24-team tournament from one of seven sides . The new format would also see the competition transformed into an event held every two years from a little - known annual event , beginning in June 2021 . Infantino added that club football was “evolving at a different pace in different parts of the world” and it was Fifa’s duty to put on an “exciting, prestigious and inclusive competition, and we’ll have that with this Club World Cup, starting in 2021”. However , it faces opposition from Europe 's footballing elite who say it would further congest the international football calendar .
FIFA 's ruling council has approved President Gianni Infantino ’s plans to expand the Club World Cup to a 24-team tournament from one of seven sides . The new format would also see the competition transformed into an event held every two years from a little - known annual event , beginning in June 2021 . However , it faces opposition from Europe 's footballing elite who say it would further congest the international football calendar .