9 hours ago
Brazil expresses interest in hosting 2029 Club World Cup
Brazil has expressed its interest in hosting the 2029 men's Club World Cup.
A statement from the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) said that its newly-elected president, Sami Xaud, held a meeting with his FIFA counterpart, Gianni Infantino, on Friday where the idea was discussed.
The ongoing Club World Cup is taking place in the United States and The Athletic reported in December that FIFA was considering hosting the tournament in the same location in four years.
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Meanwhile, James Johnson, Football Australia's chief executive, told the Sydney Morning Herald in June 2023 that his country would consider bidding for the 2029 hosting rights. Reports from Africa have also quoted the Moroccan FA (FRMF) chief Fouzi Lekjaa as saying his nation, alongside Spain and Portugal, would want to host the tournament a year before they act as co-hosts for the men's World Cup.
'It all started with an introductory conversation,' Xaud said, via the CBF website. 'I spoke about my goals as head of the CBF and said that we want to be closer to FIFA. I praised the event and the level of Brazilian clubs and, finally, I made the country available to host the next World Cup.
'President Gianni Infantino was very happy and said that it was totally possible. Now we're going to work to make it happen. It's going to be a great goal.'
The meeting, the CBF said, took place at the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2025 in Miami.
Xaud, meanwhile, was elected as CBF president in May, replacing Ednaldo Rodrigues who was removed from the position after a court ruling in Brazil.
Brazil has four of South America's six clubs competing at the 2025 Club World Cup, in Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo qualifying as the respective winners of the Copa Libertadores from 2021 to 2025.
The Brazilian Serie A runs from March to December but has paused for a month due to the Club World Cup.
(Photo of Flamengo celebrating at the Club World Cup,)
