Brazil has submitted a request to FIFA to host the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, according to sources who informed ESPN Brazil. This request was made during a meeting of senior Brazilian football officials while FIFA president Gianni Infantino was visiting Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
Infantino’s visit to Brazil was to officially commence preparations for the Women’s World Cup 2027, which will take place in eight cities across Brazil for the first time.
Sources indicated to ESPN that Infantino met with Brazil team manager Carlo Ancelotti, presidents and vice presidents of the Brazilian federation, Samir Xaud and Gustavo Dias Henrique, as well as Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday in Brasilia.
During the weekend, Infantino also engaged in discussions regarding the 2027 Women’s World Cup with Brazilian sports leaders, in addition to attending the match between Fluminense and Flamengo in the Carioca Championship.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has been actively working for several months to secure the Club World Cup for Brazil.
FIFA did not conduct a bidding process for the 2025 tournament; instead, the FIFA Council unanimously designated the United States as the host for the expanded 32-team event. FIFA has yet to disclose how the formal bidding process for the 2029 event will be structured.
In June, Xaud was present with Infantino at the match between Flamengo and LAFC during the group stage of the competition in the United States, where he discussed the matter with ESPN.
“It’s a topic I talked about with president Infantino. I view it positively, especially since Brazilian soccer is demonstrating its potential in this World Cup. I believe this conversation will continue for some time, but hopefully, Brazil will host the 2029 Club World Cup,” he stated at that time.
“[Infantino’s response after Brazil proposed to host was] positive,” Xaud remarked.
“Infantino is someone who truly appreciates Brazilian soccer. He smiled and expressed happiness that the CBF had offered Brazil as a host for the championship. Therefore, I believe that this dialogue and negotiation will proceed, and hopefully, we will bring the Club World Cup to Brazil.”
“Very close [to Brazil hosting the Club World Cup]. However, we need to sit down and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages. But if it depends on the CBF and its president, we will bring this [Club] World Cup to Brazil.”
For the 2029 Club World Cup, the only Brazilian team assured a place so far is Flamengo, which earned a spot by winning the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores.
FIFA officially initiated the journey to the Women’s World Cup 2027 over the weekend with a vibrant, culturally rich celebration in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, combining football, music, art, and Brazilian culture at one of the world’s most renowned locations.
This event represented a significant milestone on the path to the first Women’s World Cup to be held in South America, unveiling the tournament’s emblem, the ‘GO EPIC’ slogan, and a unique sonic identity inspired by lively Brazilian sounds to connect fans across all platforms and touchpoints.
“The World Cup in Brazil, in 2027, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will be a tournament that the entire world has been anticipating,” Infantino stated on Sunday in Brazil.
“The entire world wishes to come to Brazil to create a football celebration in the largest football nation. I am confident that it will be the most beautiful, most exceptional, and most epic World Cup in history. All national teams are very strong, and the athletes are becoming increasingly skilled and fit.
“The host cities are all remarkable. We are here in Rio de Janeiro, but we also have Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Recife, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Brasília, and we are all prepared for this event, which will commence in 515 days.
“The world will witness something extraordinary. The first FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, in South America. And the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in the home of football. Truly unique!”
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.
