Big clubs concerned they are missing out financially
Winners could be paid more than £90m
Fifa will hold a consultation about expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams in 2029 if this summer’s edition is successful, after lobbying from clubs who failed to qualify for the new $1bn (£740m) tournament.
The 32-team competition kicks off in the US on Saturday and the winners will receive up to $125.8m (£93.2m) in participation and prize money for playing seven matches. That is about £25m less than Paris Saint-Germain banked from Uefa for their 17-game Champions League-winning campaign, leading to concerns from clubs who have missed out.
Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Milan are among the big clubs with large fanbases who have not qualified and unless Fifa lifts its cap of 12 European entrants, expansion is the only way to ensure more European competitors.
