Qatar has expressed interest in hosting the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, which would involve moving the tournament to the winter.
The Guardian newspaper reports that Qatari representatives met with FIFA officials in the United States, declaring their desire to host the next Club World Cup in four years.
Qatar Wants to Host 2029 Club World Cup
Qatar is a small country, and in logistical terms it is in stark contrast to the United States, where matches are being held in 11 different cities.
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Qatar has built nine stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, six of which are regularly used to host matches in the country's football league.
While the tournament's proposed logistics may be acceptable to FIFA, the extreme heat in Qatar during the summer could pose a major challenge, almost certainly forcing the tournament to be moved to winter, as was the case with the 2022 World Cup.
But extreme weather has also been a problem in the United States this summer, with the Benfica-Chelsea round of 16 match being stopped for two hours by a storm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Blues coach Enzo Maresca expressed his outrage after the match, calling the decision “a joke.”
According to the publication, during informal discussions, December 2029 is mentioned as the most likely date for holding the Club World Cup in Qatar. At the same time, European leagues may be categorically against this, as it would disrupt domestic competitions.
However, some clubs that might take part in the competition might have a different opinion, given the financial rewards. This year, FIFA has set aside $1 billion in prize money.
Manchester City have already won $51.7 million for reaching the last 16 and will receive another $74.1 million if they win the tournament. FIFA will reward the team with $40 million for winning the final alone. That makes the total prize money of $125 million for winning seven matches in the tournament only slightly less than what Paris Saint-Germain received from UEFA for triumphing in the 17-match Champions League campaign.
FIFA has set the 2025 Club World Cup to be held in the United States without a competition. But it is expected to happen before the 2029 Club World Cup is decided.
