United States is emerging as one of the possible destinations to host the first Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028, in a context marked by the growing presence of major international competitions in North America. Talks to bring the tournament to the country are well advanced, with Los Angeles and San Diego among the cities being considered to host a competition featuring 19 teams. Such a decision would allow FIFA to continue using the infrastructure and organizational experience developed in the United States following the 2026 Men’s World Cup and just a few years before the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament is also being planned amid an especially demanding calendar for international women’s football. The competition is scheduled to take place between the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, two events that will once again require the participation of the world’s leading players. For FIFA, the Club World Cup could also serve as an opportunity to test stadiums, ticket prices, logistics and public demand ahead of the 2031 Women’s World Cup, which will feature 48 teams and will be hosted by the United States alongside Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, subject to the decision that is due to be formally approved at the FIFA Extraordinary Congress on November 23.
Los Angeles and San Diego emerge as options for 2028
Although no host has yet been officially confirmed, the United States has gained ground in talks to organize the 19-team tournament. The proposal calls for the competition to be played in January 2028, a date that would avoid a direct clash with the men’s Copa América, scheduled for June and July of that year, for which the United States is also a candidate to host. Selecting Los Angeles and San Diego as potential host cities would fit into a broader FIFA strategy of making use of markets with recent experience in organizing major football events and stadiums capable of accommodating significant crowds.
The project, however, comes with several tensions surrounding the international calendar. The Club World Cup would take place just months after the 2027 Women’s World Cup and during the same year as the Los Angeles Olympics, potentially creating a significant accumulation of matches for players representing both their clubs and national teams. Several major clubs have backed changes to the regulations that would limit players to one international tournament per season, a discussion that forms part of the broader debate over the competitive workload in women’s football and the need to coordinate club and national-team calendars.
New York sets an economic precedent after the 2026 World Cup
The potential arrival of the Women’s Club World Cup also comes after the economic impact recorded by the 2026 World Cup in New York. According to an analysis released by the city administration, the tournament generated $2 billion for the city, which hosted the final and other matches, while also contributing to the creation of more than 12,000 jobs, mainly in hospitality, restaurants and retail. Across the wider New York and New Jersey region, where MetLife Stadium is located, the economic impact reached $3.5 billion.
The activity was also reflected in consumer spending during the weeks of the tournament. New York sports bars recorded a 16% year-on-year increase in customer traffic during the competition, while local authorities introduced various initiatives aimed at distributing part of the economic activity among small businesses and residents. These included fixed-price food menus, viewing festivals in different parts of the city and ticket giveaways allowing New Yorkers to attend matches. Mayor Zohran Mamdani specifically highlighted the role of shop owners, taxi drivers, cooks and other service workers who welcomed visitors from around the world during the competition.
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