Times: Three English teams may participate in the next Club World Cup, and restrictions are expected to be relaxed

October 2 The Times reported that three English clubs are expected to participate in the next FIFA World Cup, not two, as the restrictions on only two clubs per country are expected to be relaxed.

It is reported that UEFA will not object to FIFA's increase in the number of clubs in each country from two to three, but will object to attempting to change it to a two-year event or expanding its size from 32 clubs.

Some FIFA executives were disappointed that there were no England, Spain and Italy champions in the first 32-team event held in the United States this summer - Liverpool, Barcelona and Naples - which led some critics to question whether this could be called the match between the world's best clubs. Allowing three clubs in each country to participate will reduce the likelihood of similar situations when the next event is held in 2029. FIFA may push for the expansion of the Club World Cup to 48 teams, but this may be opposed by UEFA, even if the European Club Association agrees. UEFA will also completely object to any attempt to make the event happen more frequently than it once every four years. The future of the event is expected to be proposed at a FIFA Council meeting on Thursday, although any decisions are unlikely to be made on this at this time. FIFA Vice President Victor Montalyani said the event was regarded as "anticipant of club football" in Europe but had a huge success. When asked if he was in favor of increasing the number of clubs, he said at the Leaders Sports Business Conference in London: "After the first event, just like running any business, after the first month, you would ask, are there enough staff? Is the product suitable? We need to discuss with stakeholders such as the European Club Association, is the right format? Do we need more clubs, or do we need to diversify in the way club qualifying?"

The 12 European clubs participating this year have either qualified by winning the Champions League in the past four seasons or qualifying through UEFA's club coefficients (calculated based on the past four seasons). As Chelsea and Manchester City qualify by winning the Champions League, despite the high club factor of Liverpool, there is no room for them.