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FIFA and the lobby group European Football Clubs (EFC) have agreed to a joint‑venture that is expected to pave the way for a 48‑team Club World Cup in 2029, opening the door for additional Premier League sides to compete.FIFA teams up with European Football Clubs for a joint‑ventureThe partnership mirrors EFC’s existing joint venture with UEFA that runs European club competitions. By bringing EFC’s commercial expertise to the global tournament, FIFA hopes to boost the event’s revenue potential and lift the current two‑clubs‑per‑country cap that limits English participation.Financial stakes: prize money, TV rights and solidarity payments£84 million – Chelsea’s reported earnings from winning the inaugural 32‑team tournament.$1 billion – Global TV rights deal secured with DAZN after a Saudi‑backed $1 billion investment in the streaming platform.£740 million – Total prize pool for the 2025 edition, already paid out.£185 million – Solidarity fund owed to clubs worldwide, still awaiting a redistribution formula.How the expansion could reshape Premier League participationRemoving the two‑clubs‑per‑nation limit would allow clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – all currently in UEFA’s top‑eight coefficient list – to qualify.More Premier League entrants would increase the competition’s commercial appeal, given the league’s global broadcasting footprint.European clubs see the expansion as a way to offset recent challenges in selling TV rights for the tournament.Looking ahead: the 2029 tournament and the road to 48 clubsWith the EFC’s influence expected to accelerate the expansion timeline, the next Club World Cup in 2029 could feature 48 teams across all confederations. The enlarged format promises higher prize money, broader media exposure, and a more complex qualification system that will likely involve negotiations over revenue sharing and scheduling with domestic leagues.