The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) expressed its interest in hosting the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, CBF president Samir Xaud confirmed.
Speaking in a live interview with Globo’s Sportv, CBF president Samir Xaud revealed that he seized the moment during the 2025 tournament in the United States to present Brazil’s case directly to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“I was there [at the Club World Cup]. Not only did the clubs put on a show, but the Brazilian fans also packed the stadiums and were very enthusiastic. This excited Infantino,” Xaud said.
He added: “I used the good moment of Brazilian football and gave him my message: ‘Brazil is applying to host the next Club World Cup in 2029.’”
At the 2025 Club World Cup, Brazilian clubs made a strong impression. Fluminense reached the semifinals before losing 2-0 to eventual champions Chelsea.
Palmeiras saw rising star Estevão, touted as Brazil’s brightest talent since Neymar, score against Chelsea in a narrow 2-1 quarterfinal defeat before sealing his move to the English side, while debutants Botafogo shocked European champions PSG 1-0.
Since 2019, Brazilian clubs have also dominated the Copa Libertadores, winning six consecutive titles through Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Botafogo, further strengthening the country’s claim.
In addition to the football on the pitch and the atmosphere in the stands, Xaud stressed that Brazil has the infrastructure to stage the event.
“Brazil has all the infrastructure to host the tournament. It would be very good for Brazilian football, for the Brazilian clubs. I am very committed to this matter,” he said.
“It will be in the last year of my term; I want to host this tournament for Brazilian football.”
Xaud, who took office in May after a Rio court removed the previous CBF board, has made strengthening ties with FIFA a central part of his mandate.
The expanded Club World Cup, staged every four years, debuted this summer in the U.S., where Chelsea lifted the trophy in a tournament featuring four Brazilian clubs.
Unlike that edition, which was awarded without a bidding process, FIFA has confirmed a formal tender will be launched for 2029. Brazil is expected to face strong competition from Qatar, Spain, and Morocco.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup has raised the level of competition in the African Champions League due to the prize money.
The first edition featured four African clubs; Egypt’s Al Ahly, the reigning CAF Champions League winners, along with Wydad AC, ES de Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
