Club Brugge chairman Bart Verhaeghe has argued that his club deserves a place in a future expanded FIFA Club World Cup. He frames the issue as one of fairness and financial solidarity within the sport.
The statement comes amid discussions about potentially expanding the tournament to 48 teams, possibly as soon as the 2029 edition. The current 32-team format debuted in 2025, with clubs like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain earning tens of millions. "It is not everyone equal and it is also not everything for the big clubs," Verhaeghe said.
Anderlecht board director Michael Verschueren, active within the European Football Clubs (EFC), is also involved in talks with FIFA. He acknowledges the commercial drivers. "The top clubs want to commercialise their brand to the maximum. You cannot be against that," Verschueren explained. The EFC is advocating for broader access and solidarity payments for non-participating clubs.
The call is made as Club Brugge sit third in the Jupiler Pro League with 18 points from 7 games. The team is unbeaten in its last five matches (DWDWW) and faces RAAL La Louvière on Saturday. The full standings and fixtures show the current league position and a congested calendar. The club remains a consistent Champions League participant, underpinning its case for inclusion on the global stage.
The report in full is at voetbalbelgie.be
