View source for FIFA Club World Cup

{{short description|Association football tournament for clubs}}
{{About|the club football competition|the competition among national teams|FIFA World Cup}}
{{About|the men's competition|the proposed women's competition|FIFA Women's Club World Cup}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox football tournament
| name                 = FIFA Club World Cup
| image                = FIFA Club World Cup logo.svg
| imagesize            = 100
| logo                 = 
| caption              =
| organiser            = [[FIFA]]
| title                = 
| current              = [[2023 FIFA Club World Cup]]
| founded              = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2000}}
| region               = International 
| number of teams      = 7 (finals)<br />(from 6 confederations)
| current champions    = {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]<br />(5th title)
| most successful club = {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]<br />(5 titles)
| website              = {{url|https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/clubworldcup|fifa.com/clubworldcup}}
| broadcasters         = [[List of FIFA Club World Cup broadcasters|List of broadcasters]]
}}

The '''FIFA Club World Cup''' is an international men's [[association football]] competition organised by the ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' ([[FIFA]]), the sport's global [[sports governing body|governing body]]. The competition was first contested in 2000 as the '''FIFA Club World Championship'''. It was not held from 2001 to 2004 due to a combination of factors in the [[2001 FIFA Club World Championship|cancelled 2001 tournament]], most importantly the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner [[International Sport and Leisure]] (ISL), but since [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]] it has been held every year, and has been hosted by Brazil, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Qatar. Views differ as to the cup's prestige: it struggles to attract interest in most of Europe, and is the object of heated debate in South America.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2008/12/one_of_my_regrets_is.html |last1=Vickery |first1=Tim |title=The prestige of the Club World Cup |date=15 December 2008 |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30497397 |last1=Vickery |first1=Tim |title=Club World Cup: Real Madrid ahead for San Lorenzo |date=16 December 2014 |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref>

The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in [[2000 FIFA Club World Championship|2000]], during which year it ran in parallel with the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]], a competition played by the winners of the [[UEFA Champions League]] and the [[Copa Libertadores]], with the champions of each tournament both recognised (in 2017) by FIFA as club world champions. In 2005, the Intercontinental Cup was merged with the FIFA Club World Championship, and in 2006, the tournament was renamed as the FIFA Club World Cup. The winner of the Club World Cup receives the FIFA Club World Cup trophy and a FIFA World Champions certificate.

The current format of the tournament involves seven teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation over a period of about two weeks; the winners of that year's [[AFC Champions League]] ([[Asian Football Confederation|Asia]]), [[CAF Champions League]] ([[Confederation of African Football|Africa]]), [[CONCACAF Champions League]] ([[CONCACAF|North, Central America and Caribbean]]), [[CONMEBOL Libertadores]] ([[CONMEBOL|South America]]), [[OFC Champions League]] ([[Oceania Football Confederation|Oceania]]) and [[UEFA Champions League]] ([[UEFA|Europe]]), along with the host nation's national champions, participate in a straight [[Single-elimination tournament|knock-out tournament]]. The host nation's national champions contest a play-off against the Oceania champions, from which the winner joins the champions of Asia, Africa and North America in the quarter-finals. The quarter-final winners go on to face the European and South American champions, who enter at the semi-final stage, for a place in the final.

[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] hold the record for most titles, having won the competition on five occasions. [[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]]' inaugural victory remains the best result from a host nation's national league champions. Teams from Spain have won the tournament eight times, the most for any nation. The current world champions are Real Madrid, who defeated [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]] 5–3 in the [[2022 FIFA Club World Cup final|2022 final]].

==History==
{{See also|Football World Championship|Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy|Copa Rio (international tournament)|Small Club World Cup|Tournoi de Paris|Intercontinental Cup (football)|International Soccer League|Copa Interamericana|List of world champion football clubs}}

===Origin===
[[File:Las Vegas 89.jpg|thumb|[[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] saw the birth of the competition during FIFA's executive committee in December 1993|alt=A nighttime view of the Las Vegas strip]]
The first club tournament to be billed as the [[Football World Championship]] was held in [[1887 World Championship (football)|1887]], in which [[FA Cup]] winners [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] beat [[Scottish Cup]] winners [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]], the winners of the only national competitions at the time. The first time when the champions of two European leagues met was in what was nicknamed the [[1895 World Championship (football)|1895 World Championship]], when [[England|English]] champions [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] beat [[Scotland|Scottish]] champions [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] 5–3.<ref name=blazed/> Ironically, the Sunderland lineup in the 1895 World Championship consisted entirely of Scottish players – Scottish players who moved to England to play professionally in those days were known as the [[Scotch Professors]].<ref name=blazed>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/apr/25/even-when-sunderland-ruled-the-globe-club-world-cups-were-controversial|title=Sunderland's Victorian all-stars blazed trail for money's rule of football |work=The Guardian |author=Jonathan Wilson|date=25 April 2020|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ryehillfootball.co.uk/stories/when-sunderland-afc-were-world-champions/|title=When Sunderland AFC Were World Champions! |work=Ryehill Football|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>

The first attempt at creating a global club football tournament, according to FIFA, was in 1909, 21 years before the first FIFA World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=71488/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194727/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=71488/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=Maintaining the Corporate Image |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=17 June 1998 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> The [[Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy]] was held in Italy in 1909 and 1911, and contested by English, Italian, German and Swiss clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/game/historygame4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630151553/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/game/historygame4.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2007 |title=The History of Football |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> English amateur team [[West Auckland Town F.C.|West Auckland]] won on both occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19691913 |title=West Auckland AFC statue to mark Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy win |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=23 September 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> The idea that FIFA should organise international club competitions dates from the beginning of the 1950s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/lipton-trophy.html |last1=Veronese |first1=Andrea |title=Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy (Torino) |work=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] |date=20 November 2004 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> In 1951, FIFA President [[Jules Rimet]] was asked about FIFA's involvement in ''[[Copa Rio (international tournament)|Copa Rio]]'', the competition created by the [[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazilian FA]] with a view to being a Club World Cup (a "club version" of the [[FIFA World Cup]]), and Rimet stated that it was not under FIFA's jurisdiction since it was organised and sponsored by the [[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazilian FA]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1951/04/05/pagina-3/1351260/pdf.html |title=Importantes Declaraciones de Mr. Jules Rimet, presidente de la F.I.F.A |trans-title=Important declarations from Mr. Jules Rimet, FIFA President |page=3 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=5 April 1951 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> FIFA board officials [[Stanley Rous]] and [[Ottorino Barassi]] participated personally, albeit not as FIFA assignees, in the organisation of Copa Rio in 1951. Brazilian side Palmeiras beat Italian side Juventus in Maracanã Stadium with over 200 thousand spectators, being considered by many the first Club World Cup Champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,0010/articleid,1107_02_1975_0140_0010_23915212/ |title=Parola ed Altafini sarà una tournée piena di ricordi e nostalgie |trans-title=Parola and Altafini will make this a nostalgic tournament to remember |page=10 |last1=Bernardi |first1=Bruno |work=[[La Stampa]] |date=30 June 1975 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=it}}</ref> Rous' role was the negotiations with European clubs, whereas Barassi did the same and also helped form the framework of the competition. The Italian press regarded the competition as an "impressive project" that "was greeted so enthusiastically by FIFA officials [[Stanley Rous]] and [[Jules Rimet]] to the extent of almost giving it an official FIFA stamp."<ref>[http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=9975&p=3#page/2/mode/2up Corriere dello Sport: Claudio Carsughi - Tra Rio de Janeiro e San Paolo l´avvio del "Torneo dei Campioni" - página 3(acervo)], 30 June 1951</ref> Because of the difficulty the Brazilian FA found in bringing European clubs to the competition, the ''[[O Estado de S. Paulo]]'' newspaper suggested that there should be FIFA involvement in the programming of international club competitions saying that, "ideally, international tournaments, here or abroad, should be played with a schedule set by FIFA".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/pagina/#!/19620626-26739-nac-0011-999-11-not |title=O ESTADO DE S. PAULO: PÁGINAS DA EDIÇÃO DE 26 DE Junho DE 1962 |work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |page=11 |date=26 June 1962 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref> Still in the 1950s, the ''[[Pequeña Copa del Mundo]]'' (Spanish for ''Small World Cup'') was a tournament held in [[Venezuelan Football Federation|Venezuela]] between 1952 and 1957, with some other club tournaments held in [[Caracas]] from 1958 onwards also often referred to by the name of the original 1952–1957 tournament.<ref name="Reference 6">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/peq-copamundo.html |title=Pequeña Copa del Mundo and Other International Club Tournaments in Caracas |last1=Stokkermans |first1=Karel |last2=Varanda |first2=Pedro |work=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] |date=19 August 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> It was usually played by four participants, half from Europe and half from South America.<ref name="Reference 6" />
{{clear}}

===Obstacles to creation===
{{Quote box
|quote = We want to win the title, not so much for ourselves but to prevent Racing from being champions.
|source =—[[Jock Stein]], [[Celtic Football Club]]'s manager, 1965–1978, commenting before the play-off match of the [[1967 Intercontinental Cup]] known as ''The Battle of Montevideo''; ''[[Evening Times]]'', 3 November 1967.<ref name="Reference 38" />
|align = right
|quoted = 1
|width = 33%
}}
{{Quote box
|quote = The Dutch team [[AFC Ajax]] claimed a victory without any problems and this match was no more difficult than a banal encounter at the European Cup.
|source =—A [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[newspaper]] [[journalist]] from [[Amsterdam]], commenting on the quality of the competition and Ajax's opponent after the [[1972 Intercontinental Cup]]; ''[[De Telegraaf]]'', 30 September 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1972/09/30/pagina-13/979350/pdf.html |title=Cruyff: "Demasiada lentitud de los argentinos en sus ofensivas" |trans-title=Cruyff: "The Argentine offensive is way too slow" |page=13 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=30 September 1972 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref>
|align = right
|quoted = 1
|width = 33%
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{{Quote box
|quote = The indifference of the fans is the only explanation for our financial failure [at the Intercontinental Cup]. It would be much better if we had gotten a friendly similar to the one we would do in [[Tel Aviv]], on 11 January, for [[United States dollar|US$]]255,000.
|source =—[[Dettmar Cramer]], [[Bayern Munich]]'s manager, 1975–1977, commenting on the low relevance, prestige and rewards of the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] after his team's victory in [[1976 Intercontinental Cup|1976]]; ''[[Jornal do Brasil]]'', 22 December 1976.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=0qX8s2k1IRwC&dat=19761222&printsec=frontpage&hl=pt-BR |title=Taça não interessa mais aos alemães |trans-title=The tournament holds no interest from the Germans |page=20 |work=[[Jornal do Brasil]] |date=22 December 1976 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref>
|align = right
|quoted = 1
|width = 33%
}}
The ''[[Tournament of Paris|Tournoi de Paris]]'' was a competition initially meant to bring together the top teams from Europe and South America; it was first played in 1957 when Vasco da Gama, the Rio de Janeiro champions, beat European champions [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] 4–3 in the final at the [[Parc des Princes]]. The victory was hailed in France and Brazil as a "best of Europe X best of South American" club match as it was Real Madrid's first intercontinental competition as European champions (the Madrid team played the 1956 ''[[Pequeña Copa del Mundo]]'', but confirmed their participation in the Venezuelan tournament before becoming European champions).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supervasco.com/noticias/vasco-tentara-reconhecimento-de-titulo-mundial-de-1957-141606.html |title=Vasco tentará reconhecimento de título mundial de 1957 |trans-title=Vasco will try to get recognition for the 1957 world title |work=Super Vasco |date=15 June 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221063340/http://www.supervasco.com/noticias/vasco-tentara-reconhecimento-de-titulo-mundial-de-1957-141606.html |archive-date=21 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1958, Real Madrid declined to participate in the Paris competition claiming that the final of the 1957/58 European Cup was just 5 days after the Paris Tournoi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1957/06/18/053.html |title=Ayer llego a Madrid el equipo Portuges Benfica que participara en la Copa Latina |trans-title=Yesterday, Benfica from Portugal arrived in Madrid to participate in the Latin Cup |page=53 |work=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]] |date=18 June 1957 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> On October 8, 1958, the Brazilian FA President [[João Havelange]] announced, at a UEFA meeting he attended as an invitee, the decision to create the [[Copa Libertadores]] and the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]], the latter being a [[UEFA]]/[[CONMEBOL]]-endorsed "best club of the world" contest between the champion clubs of both confederations.

Real Madrid won the first [[1960 Intercontinental Cup|Intercontinental Cup]] in 1960,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://historiayfutbol.obolog.com/copa-libertadores-america-25746 |title=¿Qué es la Copa Libertadores de América? |trans-title=What is the Copa Libertadores de América? |last1=Carluccio |first1=Jose |work=Historia y Fútbol |date=2 September 2007 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/goodbye-toyota-cup-hello-fifa-club-world-championship-95645 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211042106/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/goodbye-toyota-cup-hello-fifa-club-world-championship-95645 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2020 |title=Goodbye Toyota Cup, hello FIFA Club World Championship |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=10 December 2004 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> and titled themselves ''world champions'' until FIFA stepped in and objected, citing that the competition did not include any other champions from the other confederations; FIFA stated that they can only claim to be intercontinental champions of a competition played between two continental organisations in which no other continents had the opportunity to participate.<ref name="Reference 1">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1979/06/08/pagina-2/1055660/pdf.html?search=copa |title=La Copa Intercontinental, un perro sin amo |trans-title=The Intercontinental Cup, a dog without an owner |page=2 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=22 November 1979 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> FIFA stated that they would prohibit the [[1961 Intercontinental Cup|1961]] edition to be played out unless the organisers regarded the competition as a friendly or a private match between two organisations.<ref name="NYC">{{cite web |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F7061FFA3B5912738DDDAD0A94DD405B818AF1D3 |title=Bangu, Karlsruhe Play Tonight In Polo Grounds Soccer Game; Permission is Received by International League to Continue its Schedule |last1=Briordy |first1=William |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=24 May 1961 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The same year the Intercontinental Cup was first played, 1960, FIFA authorised the [[1960 International Soccer League|International Soccer League]], created (''along the lines of the 1950s [[Copa Rio (international tournament)|Copa Rio]]'') with a view to creating a Club World Cup, with ratification from Sir Stanley Rous, who then had become FIFA President.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/pagina/#!/19610524-26404-nac-0017-999-17-not/busca/FIFA |title=O ESTADO DE S. PAULO: PÁGINAS DA EDIÇÃO DE 24 DE Maio DE 1961 |page=17 |work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |date=24 May 1961 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref>

The Intercontinental Cup attracted the interest of other continents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/pagina/#!/19600115-25985-nac-0018-999-18-not/busca/York+torneio |title=O ESTADO DE S. PAULO: PÁGINAS DA EDIÇÃO DE 15 DE Janeiro DE 1960 |page=18 |work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |date=15 January 1960 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref> The North and Central America confederation, [[CONCACAF]], was created in 1961 in order to, among other reasons, try to include its clubs in the Copa Libertadores and, by extension, the Intercontinental Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/pagina/#!/19610820-26480-nac-0029-999-29-not/busca/Norte+Central |title=O ESTADO DE S. PAULO: PÁGINAS DA EDIÇÃO DE 20 DE Agosto DE 1961 |page=29 |work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |date=20 August 1961 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref> However, their entry into both competitions was rejected. Subsequently, the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]] began in [[1962 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|1962]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pt.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/EuroExperience/uefaorg/Publications/01/59/87/45/1598745_DOWNLOAD.pdf |title=FC Internazionale Milano on top of the world |page=15 |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=1 February 2011 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604145649/http://pt.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/EuroExperience/uefaorg/Publications/01/59/87/45/1598745_DOWNLOAD.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Due to the brutality of the Argentine and Uruguayan clubs at the Intercontinental Cup, FIFA was asked several times during the late 1960s to assess penalties and regulate the tournament.<ref name="Reference 12">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1967/11/01/pagina-4/931628/pdf.html?search=intercontinental%20fifa |title=La Copa Intercontinental de futbol debe ser oficial |trans-title=Football's Intercontinental Cup should be given official status |page=4 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=30 November 1967 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> However, FIFA refused each request.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1969/07/25/pagina-10/966431/pdf.html?search= |title=El proyecto de Copa del Mundo se discutira en Mejico |trans-title=The Club World Cup project will be discussed in Mexico |page=10 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=24 April 1970 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> The first of these requests was made in 1967, after a play-off match labelled ''[[1967 Intercontinental Cup|The Battle of Montevideo]]''.<ref name="Reference 14">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1966/07/27/pagina-6/936416/pdf.html?search=intercontinental |title=La FIFA, no controla la Intercontinental |trans-title=FIFA does not control the Intercontinental Cup |page=6 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=3 November 1967 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> The [[Scottish Football Association]], via President Willie Allan, wanted FIFA to recognise the competition in order to enforce football regulation; FIFA responded that it could not regulate a competition it did not organise.<ref name="Reference 38">{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2mus-XyGPC0C&dat=19671103&printsec=frontpage&hl= |title=Stein gives a pledge before&nbsp;... Feud in the Sun, "We'll give as much as we take" |page=24 |work=[[Evening Times]] |date=3 November 1967 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Allan's crusade also suffered after CONMEBOL, with the backing of its President Teofilo Salinas and the [[Argentine Football Association]] (''Asociación del Fútbol Argentino''; AFA), refused to allow FIFA to have any hand in the competition stating:<ref name="Reference 13">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1967/03/16/pagina-8/931136/pdf.html?search=Intercontinental |title=La FIFA rehuye el bulto |trans-title=FIFA shuns the bulge |page=8 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=25 November 1967 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref>

{{Cquote|''The CSF is the entity in charge of controlling, in South America, the organisation of the tournament between the champions of Europe and [South] America, a competition FIFA considers a friendly. We do not think it's appropriate that FIFA has to meddle in the matter.''}}

[[File:Stanley Rous.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Stanley Rous]] can be considered a "founding father" of the road for a club world cup. As a referee, he participated in the 1930 [[Coupe des Nations]]. As a football official, he endorsed and supported [[Copa Rio (international tournament)|Copa Rio]] and the [[International Soccer League]]. As [[FIFA]] president, he was the first FIFA official to propose the expansion of the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] into an all-confederations Club World Cup under FIFA auspices, a proposal he put forward in 1967 and that would turn into the FIFA Club World Cup in 2000]]
René Courte, FIFA's General Sub-Secretary, wrote in 1967 an article shortly afterwards stating that FIFA viewed the Intercontinental Cup as a "European-South American friendly match".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1970/01/08/pagina-13/949785/pdf.html?search=Copa |title=La Copa del Mundo Inter-clubs se amplia |trans-title=The Intercontinental Clubs' Cup will be amplified |page=13 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=25 February 1970 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> This was confirmed by [[FIFA]] President Sir [[Stanley Rous]]. With the Asian and North American club competitions in place in 1967, FIFA opened the idea of supervising the Intercontinental Cup if it included those confederations, with Stanley Rous saying that [[CONCACAF]] and the [[Asian Football Confederation]] had requested in 1967 participation of their champions in the Intercontinental Cup; the proposal was met with a negative response from UEFA and CONMEBOL. The [[1968 Intercontinental Cup|1968]] and [[1969 Intercontinental Cup]]s finished in similarly violent fashion, with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] manager [[Matt Busby]] insisting that "the Argentineans should be banned from all competitive football. FIFA should really step in."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=853334&sec=global&root=global&cc=5901 |title=Estudiantes leave their mark |work=[[ESPN FC|Entertainment and Sports Programming Network Football Club]] |date=16 December 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> In 1970, the FIFA Executive Committee proposed the creation of a multicontinental Club World Cup, not limited to Europe and South America but including also the other confederations; the idea did not go forward due to UEFA resistance.

In 1973, French newspaper ''[[L'Equipe]]'', who helped bring about the birth of the European Cup,<ref name="Reference 7" >{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/240459.pdf |title=European Cup: 50 Years |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=25 October 2004 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909224415/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/240459.pdf |archive-date=9 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> volunteered to sponsor a Club World Cup contested by the champions of Europe, South America, North America and Africa, the only continental club tournaments in existence at the time; the competition was to potentially take place in [[Paris]] between September and October 1974, with an eventual final to be held at the ''[[Parc des Princes]]''. The extreme negativity of the Europeans prevented this from happening.<ref name="Reference 16">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1968/01/06/pagina-4/989608/pdf.html?search= |title=Una copa mundial de clubs con los campeones de Europa, Asia, Africa, Sudamerica y America Central |trans-title=A Club World Cup with the European, Asian, African, South American and Central American champions |page=4 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=29 November 1973 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> The same newspaper tried once again in 1975 to create a Club World Cup, in which participants would have been the four semi-finalists of the European Cup, both finalists of the Copa Libertadores, as well as the African and Asian champions; once more, the proposal was to no avail.<ref name="Reference 17">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1973/11/29/pagina-13/1002908/pdf.html?search=concacaf |title=Una idea para los cinco campeones de cada continente |trans-title=An idea for the five continental champions |page=13 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=5 June 1975 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> UEFA, via its president, [[Artemio Franchi]], declined once again and the proposal failed.<ref name="Reference 18">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1979/11/22/pagina-15/1003523/pdf.html?search=copa |title=Europa a desvalorizado la Copa Intercontinental |trans-title=Europe has devalued the Intercontinental Cup |page=15 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=10 April 1975 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> The idea for a multicontinental, FIFA-endorsed Club World Cup was also endorsed by [[João Havelange]] in his campaigning for [[FIFA]] presidency in 1974. The Mexican clubs [[Club América|América]] and [[Club Universidad Nacional|Pumas UNAM]], and the Mexican Football Association, demanded participation in the Intercontinental Cup (''either as the [[Americas|American-continent]] representantives in the Intercontinental Cup or as part of a [[UEFA]]-[[CONMEBOL]]-[[CONCACAF]] new Intercontinental Cup'') after winning the 1977/1978 and 1980/1981 editions of the [[Interamerican Cup]] against the [[Copa Libertadores|South American champions]]; the request was unsuccessful.

With the Intercontinental Cup in danger of being dissolved,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1979/11/22/pagina-16/1047700/pdf.html?search=Liverpool%20intercontinental |title=La Copa Intercontinental anda renqueante |trans-title=The Intercontinental Cup is ailing |page=16 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=6 August 1979 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> West Nally, a British marketing company, was hired by UEFA and CONMEBOL to find a viable solution in 1980;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1980/09/01/pagina-16/1061252/pdf.html |title=La final Intercontinental, en peligro |trans-title=The Intercontinental final, in danger |page=16 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=1 September 1980 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1980/09/24/pagina-13/1056575/pdf.html |title=La Copa Intercontinental ya tiene fechas |trans-title=The Intercontinental Cup has dates |page=13 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=24 September 1980 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1980/11/30/pagina-16/1067778/pdf.html |title=La final Intercontinental, a un partido y en Japon |trans-title=The Intercontinental final, one game in Japan |page=16 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=30 November 1980 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> [[Toyota Motor Corporation]], via West Nally, took the competition under its wing and rebranded it as the ''Toyota Cup'', a one-off match played in [[Japan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1980/09/11/pagina-19/1058349/pdf.html |title=La Intercontinental, en Tokio a un partido |trans-title=The Intercontinental Cup, one game in Tokyo |page=19 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=11 September 1980 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1980/12/12/pagina-18/1059685/pdf.html |title=Gray y Robertson no estarán en Valençia con el Nottingham |trans-title=Gray and Robertson will not be in Valencia with Nottingham |page=18 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=12 December 1980 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> Toyota invested over [[United States dollar|US$]]700,000 in the [[1980 Intercontinental Cup|1980 edition]] to take place in [[Tokyo]]'s [[National Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)|National Olympic Stadium]], with over [[United States dollar|US$]]200,000 awarded to each participant.<ref name="Reference 40">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1981/02/12/pagina-19/1057196/pdf.html |title=El año de los Charruas |trans-title=The Charruan year |page=19 |last1=Calvo |first1=J. A. |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=12 February 1981 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> The Toyota Cup, with its new format, was received with scepticism, as the sport was unfamiliar in the [[Far East]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1981/02/07/pagina-18/1063007/pdf.html |title=Nacional se queja del campo |trans-title=Nacional complains over the pitch |page=18 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=7 February 1981 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1981/02/11/pagina-19/1057165/pdf.html |title=Todo preparado para la Intercontinental |trans-title=Everything is prepared for the Intercontinental Cup |page=19 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=11 February 1981 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> However, the financial incentive was welcomed, as European and South American clubs were suffering financial difficulties.<ref name="Reference 39">{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1981/02/04/pagina-19/1447382/pdf.html |title=¿Debe ir el Nottingham a Tokio? |trans-title=Should Nottingham go to Tokyo? |page=19 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=4 February 1981 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> To protect themselves against the possibility of European withdrawals, Toyota, UEFA and every European Cup participant signed annual contracts requiring the eventual winners of the European Cup to participate at the Intercontinental Cup, as a condition UEFA stipulated to the clubs' participation in the European Cup, or risk facing an international lawsuit from UEFA and Toyota.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1992/12/29/pagina-8/1259619/pdf.html?search=Intercontinental |title=La negociación será difícil |trans-title=Negotiations will be difficult |page=8 |last1=Aguilar |first1=Francesc |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=18 September 1992|access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> In 1983, the English [[The Football Association|Football Association]] tried organising a Club World Cup to be played in 1985 and sponsored by West Nally, only to be denied by UEFA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1983/04/20/pagina-20/1441398/pdf.html?search=mundial |title=No habra una Copa Mundial de Clubes |trans-title=There will not be a Club World Cup |page=20 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=23 November 1983 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref>

===Inauguration (2000–2001)===
{{Quote box
|quote = Manchester United see this as an opportunity to compete for the ultimate honour of being the very first world club champions.
|source =—[[Martin Edwards]], [[Manchester United]]'s chairman, 1980–2002, commenting on the FIFA Club World Championship; ''[[BBC News|British Broadcasting Corporation News]]'', 30 June 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/381662.stm |title=United pull out of FA Cup |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=30 June 1999 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
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The framework of the [[2000 FIFA Club World Championship]] was laid years in advance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/pagina/#!/19940616-36765-spo-0030-esp-e2-not/busca/verdadeiro+mundial+clubes |title=O ESTADO DE S. PAULO: PÁGINAS DA EDIÇÃO DE 16 DE Junho DE 1994 |page=30 |work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |date=16 June 1994 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt }}</ref> According to [[Sepp Blatter]], the idea of the tournament was presented to the executive committee in December 1993 in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[United States]] by [[Silvio Berlusconi]], [[AC Milan]]'s president.<ref name="Reference 35">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/blatter-the-club-world-championship-holds-promise-for-the-future-71591 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725073637/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/blatter-the-club-world-championship-holds-promise-for-the-future-71591 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 July 2020 |title=Blatter: "The Club World Championship holds promise for the future" |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=6 December 1999 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Since every confederation had, by then, a stable, continental championship, FIFA felt it was prudent and relevant to have a Club World Championship tournament. Initially, there were nine candidates to host the competition: China, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Tahiti, Turkey, the United States and Uruguay; of the nine, only Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil and Uruguay confirmed their interest to FIFA. On 7 June 1999, FIFA selected Brazil to host the competition,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acervo.folha.com.br/leitor.do?numero=14274&keyword=Fifa%2CMorumbi%2CMaracana&anchor=704604&origem=busca&originURL=&pd=7029a4ba61ad255fa1e44f9dcc15b10a|title=Brasil recebe o primeiro mundial de clubes|date=8 June 1999|work=Folha de S.Paulo|accessdate=7 June 2022|language=pt-br}}</ref> which was initially scheduled to take place in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1997/08/30/pagina-42/381368/pdf.html?search=mundial |title=Mundial de Clubs en 1999 |trans-title=Club World Cup in 1999 |page=42 |work=[[El Mundo Deportivo (newspaper)|El Mundo Deportivo]] |date=3 September 1997 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es }}</ref> Manchester United legend [[Bobby Charlton]], a pillar of [[England national football team|England]]'s victorious campaign in the [[1966 FIFA World Cup]], stated that the Club World Championship provided "a fantastic chance of becoming the first genuine world champions."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://memoria.bn.br/pdf/030015/per030015_1999_00264.pdf |title=Um desafio fascinante |trans-title=A fascinating challenge |last1=Charlton |first1=Bobby |author-link1=Bobby Charlton |page=21|work=[[Jornal do Brasil]] |date=28 December 1999 |access-date=8 June 2022 |language=pt}}</ref> The competition gave away [[United States dollar|US$]]28&nbsp;million in prize money and its [[Television|TV]] rights, worth US$40&nbsp;million, were sold to 15 broadcasters across five continents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://memoria.bn.br/pdf/030015/per030015_1999_00264.pdf |title=Alta definição |trans-title=High definition |page=23 |work=[[Jornal do Brasil]] |date=28 December 1999 |access-date=8 June 2022 |language=pt}}</ref> The final draw of the first Club World Championship was done on 14 October 1999 at the [[Copacabana Palace Hotel]] in Rio de Janeiro.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/brazil-2000-final-draw-71334 |title=Brazil 2000 Final Draw |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=14 October 1999 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

{{Quote box
|quote = There they were claiming that the English weren't interested in the world championship, yet the BBC sent 60 people to cover the tournament. This shows that it was the most important competition that they have taken part in<!--not a mistake--> in their history. They came here thinking they were going to win easily but they didn't count on the strength of Vasco. No Manchester player would get a place in the Vasco team at the moment. The Brazilians are the best players in the world, the Europeans do not even come close.
|source =—[[Eurico Miranda]], [[Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama|Vasco da Gama]]'s vice-president, 1986–2000, commenting on the importance given to the tournament by the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[news media]], the level of European club football as well as Brazil's after his side's 3–1 win over Manchester United; ''[[Independent Online (South Africa)|Independent Online]]'', 11 January 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/reds-in-rio-to-drink-taunts-gerson-1.332008#.UUJPrFeXm_I |title=Reds in Rio to drink, taunts Gerson |work=[[Independent Online (South Africa)|Independent Online]] |date=11 January 2000 |access-date=13 March 2013 }}</ref>
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The inaugural competition was planned to be contested in 1999 by the continental club winners of 1998, the Intercontinental Cup winners and the host nation's national club champions, but it was postponed by one year. When it was rescheduled, the competition had eight new participants from the continental champions of 1999: Brazilian clubs [[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]] and [[Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama|Vasco da Gama]], English side Manchester United, Mexican [[club Necaxa]], Moroccan club [[Raja Casablanca]], Spanish side Real Madrid, Saudi club [[Al-Nassr]], and Australian club [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/who-will-down-history-71904 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010312/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/who-will-down-history-71904 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 January 2019 |title=Who will go down in history? |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=31 December 1999 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The first goal of the competition was scored by Real Madrid's [[Nicolas Anelka]] against Al-Nassr; Real Madrid went on to win the match 3–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/brazil2000/matches/round=3693/match=18534/index.html |title=Real Madrid - Al Nassr |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=5 January 2000 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The final was an all-Brazilian affair, as well as the only one which saw one side have home advantage.<ref name="Reference 34">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/brazil2000/matches/round=3695/match=22236/index.html |title=Corinthians - Vasco da Gama |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=14 January 2000 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Vasco da Gama could not take advantage of its local support, being beaten by Corinthians 4–3 on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] after a 0–0 draw in 90 minutes and [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]].<ref name="Corinthians">{{cite web |url=http://www.corinthians.com.br/site/futebol/titulos/ |title=Futebol: Titulos |trans-title=Football: Titles |work=[[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista]] |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304185528/http://corinthians.com.br/site/futebol/titulos/|archive-date=4 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/12/99/world_club_championship/604434.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Corinthians crowned world champions |date=15 January 2000 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

The [[2001 FIFA Club World Championship|second edition]] of the competition was planned for Spain in 2001, and would have featured 12 clubs.<ref name="Reference 31">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc01.html |title=2001 FIFA Club World Cup |last1=Stokkermans |first1=Karel |work=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] |date=31 December 2005 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The draw was performed at [[A Coruña]] on 6 March 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/world/2001-03-06-world-club-championship.htm |title=Galaxy to face Real, African and Asian teams |work=[[USA Today]] |date=7 March 2001 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> However, it was cancelled on 18 May, due to a combination of factors, most importantly the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner [[International Sport and Leisure]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://de.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=107/edition=4735/releases/newsid=91574.html |title=FIFA decides to postpone 2001 Club World Championship to 2003 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=18 May 2001 |access-date=4 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109023834/http://de.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D107/edition%3D4735/releases/newsid%3D91574.html |archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref> The participants of the cancelled edition received [[United States dollar|US$]]750,000 each in compensation; the ''[[Real Federación Española de Fútbol]]'' (RFEF) also received [[United States dollar|US$]]1&nbsp;million from FIFA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/world/2001-08-10-world-cup-championships.htm |title=World Club Championship might grow |work=[[USA Today]] |date=10 October 2001 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Another attempt to stage the competition in 2003, in which 17 countries were looking to be the host nation, also failed to happen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3005664/FIFA-postpone-club-cup.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3005664/FIFA-postpone-club-cup.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=FIFA postpone club cup |last1=Davies |first1=Christopher |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=18 May 2001 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/news/newsid=77578/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506182312/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/news/newsid=77578/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2014 |title=Numerous interests in hosting 2003/2005 FIFA Club World Championships |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=10 May 2001 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> FIFA agreed with UEFA, CONMEBOL and Toyota to merge the Intercontinental Cup and Club World Championship into one event.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/toyota-confirmed-fifa-club-world-championship-2005-naming-partner-96696-x2694 |title=Toyota confirmed as FIFA Club World Championship 2005 naming partner |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=15 March 2005 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The final Intercontinental Cup, played by representatives clubs of most developed continents in the football world, was in 2004, with a relaunched Club World Championship held in Japan in December 2005.<ref name="Reference 33">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/news/newsid=96919/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506181840/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/news/newsid=96919/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2014 |title=Logo revealed for top club competition |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=5 April 2005 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> All the winning teams of the Intercontinental Cup were regarded by worldwide [[mass media]] and football's community as ''[[de facto]]'' "[[Intercontinental Cup (football)#International participation|world champions]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2431719.html|title=Ronaldo treble fires Madrid to Club World Cup glory|date=18 December 2016|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|first=Joe|last=Walker|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=132237.html|title=Maldini wants world title|date=10 December 2003|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=18 December 2015|title=Japan Aiming High|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/Document/AF-Magazine/FIFAWeekly/02/74/62/99/50_EN_Weekly_Lowres_50_EN_Neutral.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202080501/http://www.fifa.com/mm/Document/AF-Magazine/FIFAWeekly/02/74/62/99/50_EN_Weekly_Lowres_50_EN_Neutral.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2017|issue=50|pages=8–9|oclc=862248672|access-date=30 January 2017|magazine=The FIFA Weekly|editor=Fédération Internationale de Football Association}}</ref> until 2017 when FIFA officially (''[[de jure]]'') recognised all of them as official club world champions in equal status to the FIFA Club World Cup winners.<ref>{{cite press release|date=27 October 2017|title=FIFA Council approves key organisational elements of the FIFA World Cup|url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-council-approves-key-organisational-elements-of-the-fifa-world-cu-2917722.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027142732/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-council-approves-key-organisational-elements-of-the-fifa-world-cu-2917722.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2017|website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="kit2018">{{cite web|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/2d5d33a48d2c98ce/original/mkbo3nwk4btahl9gwtwl-pdf.pdf|title=FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018: Statistical-kit|date=10 December 2018|page=13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809010005/https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/2d5d33a48d2c98ce/original/mkbo3nwk4btahl9gwtwl-pdf.pdf|archive-date=9 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Knock-out tournaments (2005–present)===
[[File:FC Barcelona Team 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Pep Guardiola]] is hoisted in the air after [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] won the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup]], beating [[Santos FC|Santos]] 4–0 in the final.|alt=A group of association football players, who played for FC Barcelona at the time of the photo, lifting their coach after winning their second FIFA Club World Cup.]]
The [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005 version]] was shorter than the previous World Championship, reducing the problem of scheduling the tournament around the different club seasons across each continent. It contained just the six reigning continental champions, with the CONMEBOL and UEFA representatives receiving [[Bye (sports)|byes]] to the semi-finals. A new trophy was introduced replacing the Intercontinental trophy, the Toyota trophy and the trophy of 2000. The draw for the 2005 edition of the competition took place in [[Tokyo]] on 30 July 2005 at [[Westin Hotels|The Westin Tokyo]].<ref name="Reference 36">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/fifa-club-world-championship-toyota-cup-japan-2005-trophy-unveiled-off-99254 |title=FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA Cup Japan 2005 trophy to be unveiled at Official Draw on 30 July in Tokyo |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=21 July 2005 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The 2005 edition saw São Paulo pushed to the limit by Saudi side [[Al-Ittihad (Jeddah)|Al-Ittihad]] to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/matches/round=47350400/match=47350003/index.html |title=Al Ittihad - Sao Paulo FC |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=15 December 2005 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> In the final, one goal from [[Carlos Luciano da Silva|Mineiro]] was enough to dispatch English club [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]];<ref name="São Paulo">{{cite web |url=http://www.saopaulofc.net/spfcpedia/conquistas/ |title=Conquistas |trans-title=Conquests |work=[[São Paulo Futebol Clube]] |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref> Mineiro became the first player to score in a Club World Cup final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/matches/round=47350600/match=47350007/index.html |title=Sao Paulo FC - Liverpool FC |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

[[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]] defeated defending World and South American champions São Paulo in the [[2006 Copa Libertadores Finals|2006 Copa Libertadores finals]] in order to qualify for the [[2006 FIFA Club World Cup|2006 tournament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=105073/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219035923/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=105073/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2013 |title=Inter take title and a place in Japan |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=17 August 2006 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> At the semi-finals, Internacional beat [[Egyptian Premier League|Egyptian]] side [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]] in order to meet Barcelona in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/matches/round=24830400/match=24830003/index.html |title=Al Ahly Sporting Club - Sport Clube Internacional |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=13 December 2006 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> A late goal from [[Carlos Adriano de Souza Vieira|Adriano Gabiru]] kept the trophy in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=1&setor=1&secao=105&subsecao= |title=Inter, o melhor do mundo |trans-title=Inter, the best in the world |work=[[Sport Club Internacional]] |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060635/http://internacional.com.br/pagina.php?modulo=1&setor=1&secao=105&subsecao= |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/matches/round=24830600/match=24830007/index.html |title=Sport Clube Internacional – FC Barcelona |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=17 December 2006 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> It was in [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]] when Brazilian hegemony was finally broken: AC Milan won a close match against [[J. League|Japan]]'s [[Urawa Red Diamonds]], who were pushed by over 67,000 fans at [[Yokohama]]'s [[International Stadium Yokohama|International Stadium]], and won 1–0 to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2007/matches/round=249930/match=61297/index.html |title=Milan set up Boca showdown |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=13 December 2007 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> In the final, Milan crushed Boca Juniors 4–2, in a match that saw the first player [[Ejection (sports)|sent off]] in a Club World Cup final: Milan's [[Kakha Kaladze]] from [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] in the 77th minute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acmilan.com/it/club/palmares/fcwc2007 |title=FIFA Club World Cup 2007 |work=[[Associazione Calcio Milan]] |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=it}}</ref> Eleven minutes later, Boca Junior's Pablo Ledesma would join Kaladze as he too was sent off.<ref name="Reference 37">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2007/matches/round=249933/match=61295/index.html |title=Dominant Milan rule the world |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=16 December 2007 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The following year, Manchester United would emulate Milan by beating their semi-final opponents, Japan's [[Gamba Osaka]], 5–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2008/matches/round=252222/match=300073124/index.html |title=United hit five in thriller |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=18 December 2008 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> They saw off [[Ecuadorian Serie A|Ecuadorian]] club [[Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito|LDU Quito]] 1–0 to become [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|world champions]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Club/Trophy-Room.aspx |title=Trophy Room |work=[[Manchester United Football Club]] |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2008/matches/round=252219/match=300073127/index.html |title=Red Devils rule in Japan |work=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=21 December 2008 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
[[File:Corinthians Club World Cup 2012.jpg|thumb|left|[[SC Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]] won their [[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|second world title]] after defeating [[Chelsea FC|Chelsea]] 1–0 in the final, capping off a year which saw them undefeated in international matches with just four goals conceded.]]
[[United Arab Emirates]] successfully applied for the right to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/organisation/media/newsid=779200/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616174446/http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/organisation/media/newsid=779200/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2011 |title=Unanimous support for 6+5, FIFA Club World Cup hosts revealed |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=27 May 2008 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Barcelona dethroned World and European champions Manchester United in the [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final]] to qualify for the [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009 Club World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/news/newsid=1063207/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802071424/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/news/newsid=1063207/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 August 2013 |title=Barça reign supreme |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=27 May 2009 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Barcelona beat Mexican club [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]] in the semi-finals 3–1 and met Estudiantes in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/matches/round=252911/match=300111968/index.html |title=Exceptional Barça reach final |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=16 December 2009 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> After a very close encounter which saw the need for extra-time, [[Lionel Messi]] scored from a header to snatch victory for Barcelona and complete an unprecedented [[The Sextuple|sextuple]].<ref name="Barcelona">{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/futbol/detall/fitxa/palmares-futbol |title=Palmarès |trans-title=Trophies |work=[[Futbol Club Barcelona]] |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104145404/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/futbol/detall/fitxa/palmares-futbol |archive-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/matches/round=252913/match=300111971/index.html |title=Barça belatedly rule the world |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/2012/12/19/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1355909675.html |title=Recordando la temporada perfecta |trans-title=Remembering a perfect season |last1=Liceras |first1=Ángel |work=[[Marca (newspaper)|MARCA]] |date=19 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm |title=Barcelona beat Estudiantes to win the Club World Cup |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=19 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1151676.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231034611/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1151676.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2009 |title=The year in pictures |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The [[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010 edition]] saw the first non-European and non-South American side to reach the final: [[TP Mazembe]] from the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Brazil's Internacional 2–0 in the semi-final to face Internazionale, who beat South Korean club [[Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma]] 3–0 to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2010/matches/round=254486/match=300140539/index.html |title=Inter stunned as Mazembe reach final |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=14 December 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2010/matches/round=254486/match=300140535/index.html |title=Seongnam sunk as Inter stroll |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Internazionale went on to beat Mazembe with the same scoreline to complete their [[Tuples in association football#The Quintuple|quintuple]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inter.it/aas/palmares/vitt?L=it&IDV=38 |title=Palmares: Primo Mondiale per Club FIFA - 2010/11 |trans-title=Trophies: First FIFA Club World Cup - 2010/11 |work=[[Inter Milan|Football Club Internazionale Milano S.p.A.]] |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2010/matches/round=254488/match=300140542/index.html |title=Internazionale on top of the world |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|website=FIFA.com |date=18 December 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

The FIFA Club World Cup returned to Japan for the 2011 and 2012 edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/news/newsid=1439518/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629200751/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/news/newsid=1439518/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2013 |title=Blatter reveals double boost for Japan |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> In [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], Barcelona comfortably won their semi-final match 4–0 against Qatari club [[Al Sadd SC|Al Sadd]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/matches/round=257435/match=300180906/index.html |title=Adriano at the double as Barça cruise |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=15 December 2011 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> In the final, Barcelona would repeat their performance against Santos; this is, to date, the largest winning margin in the final of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/matches/round=257437/match=300180901/index.html |title=Santos humbled by brilliant Barcelona |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=18 December 2011 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Messi also became the first player to score in two different Club World Cup finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=229397/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107094232/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=229397/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 November 2007 |title=Lionel Messi |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> The [[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|2012 edition]] saw Europe's dominance come to an end as Corinthians, boasting over 30,000 travelling fans which was dubbed the ''"Invasão da Fiel"'', travelled to Japan to join Barcelona in being two-time winners of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=1970602/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216014619/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=1970602/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 December 2012 |title=The Corinthian Invasion of Japan |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=1973250/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221123049/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=1973250/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2012 |title=Corinthians halt European domination |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=17 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> In the semi-finals, Al-Ahly managed to keep the scoreline close as Corinthians' [[Paolo Guerrero]] scored to send the ''Timão'' into their second final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259325/match=300219242/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214081505/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259325/match=300219242/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 December 2012 |title=Corinthians edge Al-Ahly to reach final |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Guerrero would once again come through for Corinthians as the ''Timão'' saw off English side [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] 1–0 in order to bring the trophy back to Brazil.<ref name="Corinthians" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259327/match=300219235/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218233106/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259327/match=300219235/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 December 2012 |title=Guerrero the hero as Corinthians crowned |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=16 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:Zinedine Zidane by Tasnim 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[Zinedine Zidane]] during a press conference at the [[2017 FIFA Club World Cup]]. [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] became the first team to retain the trophy having also won the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.]]
[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]] and [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]] had the Club World Cup moving to Morocco. The first edition saw a [[Cinderella (sports)|Cinderella]] run of host team Raja Casablanca, who had to start in the play-off round and became the second African team to reach the final, after defeating Brazil's [[Clube Atlético Mineiro|Atlético Mineiro]] in the semi-final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25451200 |title=Raja revel in historic victory |last=Hughes |first=Ian|website=BBC |date=13 December 2013 |access-date=6 March 2014 }}</ref> Like Mazembe, Raja also lost to the European champion, this time a 2–0 defeat to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola targets more silverware after Club World Cup victory|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bayern-munich/10533490/Bayern-Munich-manager-Pep-Guardiola-targets-more-silverware-after-Club-World-Cup-victory.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bayern-munich/10533490/Bayern-Munich-manager-Pep-Guardiola-targets-more-silverware-after-Club-World-Cup-victory.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=9 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=22 December 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 2014 again had a decision between South America and Europe, and Real Madrid beat [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]] 2–0.<ref>{{cite news|title=Real Madrid beat San Lorenzo to take Club World Cup crown|url=http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-club-world-cup/match/409204/real-madrid-san-lorenzo/report|access-date=9 March 2015|website=ESPN|date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

The [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]] and [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]] editions once again saw Japan as hosts for the 7th and 8th time respectively in the 12th and 13th editions of the FIFA Club World Cup. The 2015 edition saw a final between [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] and FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona lifted their third FIFA Club World Cup, with Suarez scoring two goals and Lionel Messi scoring one goal in the [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final|Final]]. One notable thing that occurred in the 2015 tournament was that [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] made it to third place, the farthest ever achieved by a Japanese club. This record would not last though, as the 2016 edition saw J1 League winners [[Kashima Antlers]] making it to the [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final|Final]] (outscoring rivals 7–1), against Real Madrid. A [[Gaku Shibasaki]] inspired Kashima attempted to win their first FIFA Club World Cup (a feat never done by any club outside of Europe and South America), but were denied by Real Madrid, who won 4–2 in extra time, thanks to a hat-trick by [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276112/match=300364984/match-report.html |title=Madrid see off spirited Kashima in electric extra time final |date=18 December 2016 |access-date=18 December 2016 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125922/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276112/match=300364984/match-report.html |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The UAE returned to host the event in 2017 and 2018.<ref>[https://www.thenational.ae/sport/uae-to-host-fifa-club-world-cup-in-2017-and-2018-1.83185 “UAE to host Fifa Club World Cup in 2017 and 2018”]. ''The National''. Retrieved 29 January 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-confirmed-as-hosts-for-fifa-club-world-cup-in-2017-2018-656989.html “UAE confirmed as hosts for FIFA Club World Cup in 2017 and 2018”]. ''Arabian Business''. Retrieved 29 January 2020</ref> 2017 involved the likes of Real Madrid becoming the first team in Club World Cup history to return to the tournament to defend their title. Real Madrid became the first team to successfully defend their title after defeating [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grêmio]] in the Final, all while eliminating [[Al Jazira Club|Al Jazira]] in the Semi-Finals. [[Al Ain FC|Al-Ain]] was the first Emirati team to reach the Club World Cup final,<ref>{{cite news |last=McAuley |first=John |date=18 December 2018 |title=Fifa Club World Cup: Al Ain beat River Plate on penalties to reach historic final |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/2.2049/fifa-club-world-cup-al-ain-beat-river-plate-on-penalties-to-reach-historic-final-1.804186 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> as well as the second Asian team to reach the final in the [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018 edition]]. Real Madrid defeated Al-Ain 4–1 in the [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup Final|final]], to win their fourth title in the competition and to become the first team ever to win it three years in a row and four times in total in the tournament's history. Thus, Real Madrid extended their international titles to seven after winning the 2018 edition (counting their three Intercontinental Cup titles and four Club World Cup titles).{{refn|group=n|name=CWC|The council of FIFA officially recognizes the winners of the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] and the FIFA Club World Cup as club world champions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3246638/man-united-retrospectively-declared-1999-world-club-champions-by-fifa | title=Man United retrospectively declared 1999 world club champions by FIFA | work=ESPN FC | access-date=4 November 2017 | date=October 2017 }}</ref>}}

On 3 June 2019, FIFA selected Qatar as the host of both the 2019 and 2020 events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Agenda of meeting no. 10 of the FIFA Council |url=https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/agenda-of-meeting-no10-of-the-fifa-council.pdf |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|access-date=29 May 2019 |quote=Appointment of hosts for the FIFA Club World Cups 2019 and 2020}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=FIFA10>{{cite press release |date=3 June 2019 |title=FIFA Council appoints Qatar as host of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 and 2020 |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/fifa-council-appoints-qatar-as-host-of-the-fifa-club-world-cup-in-2019-and-2020 |location=[[Zurich]] |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=2019-06-03}}</ref> [[Gonzalo Belloso]], the Deputy Secretary General and development director of [[CONMEBOL]], previously said that the 2019 and 2020 editions will be held in Japan.<ref name=Japan20+21>{{cite news |title=Directivo de CONMEBOL confirma que mundial de clubes será en Japón hasta 2021 |url=https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-internacional-internacionales/directivo-de-conmebol-confirma-que-mundial-de-clubes |access-date=29 May 2019 |work=[[Récord]] |date=24 May 2019 |location=Mexico City}}</ref> The [[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019 edition]] saw [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] defeat [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]] to win the competition for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Firmino winner seals Club World Cup win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50869633?isBumped=0&postFreq=0&isEmpty=0&isProfane=0&tooLong=0&charCount=0&isAwaitingProcessPreMod=0&isSubmitted=1&filter=none&initial_page_size=10&postId=137711507 |access-date=21 December 2019 |agency=BBC}}</ref> In the [[2020 FIFA Club World Cup Final|2020 edition]], Bayern Munich beat [[Tigres UANL]] 1–0, completing their [[Sextuple (football)|sextuple]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-11|title=Bayern beat Tigres in Club World Cup final to earn sixth trophy in nine months|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/11/bayern-beat-tigres-in-club-world-cup-final-to-earn-sixth-trophy-in-nine-months|access-date=2021-07-27|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> The [[2021 FIFA Club World Cup|2021 tournament]] was won by Chelsea, who defeated [[Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras|Palmeiras]] 2–1 after extra time for their first title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chelsea win Club World Cup: Kai Havertz winner sees off Palmeiras after extra time |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60352740 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=15 December 2022 |date=12 February 2022}}</ref>

===Planned expansion===
In late 2016, FIFA President [[Gianni Infantino]] suggested an expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams beginning in 2019 and the reschedule to June to be more balanced and more attractive to broadcasters and sponsors.<ref>{{cite news|title=FIFA boss suggests 32-team Club World Cup in 2019|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-infantino-32-team-club-world-cup-2019-1.3857019|access-date=14 December 2017|work=CBC Sports|agency=AP|publisher=CBC|date=18 November 2016}}</ref> In late 2017, FIFA discussed proposals to expand the competition to 24 teams and have it be played every four years by 2021, replacing the [[FIFA Confederations Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=FIFA considering 24-team Club World Cup to be played in summer|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-club-world-cup/story/3251358/fifa-considering-24-team-club-world-cup-to-be-played-in-summer|access-date=14 December 2017|agency=AP|publisher=ESPN|date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

The new tournament with 24 teams was supposed to start in 2021 and would have included all [[UEFA Champions League]] winners, UEFA Champions League runners-up, [[UEFA Europa League]] winners, and [[Copa Libertadores]] winners from the four seasons up to and including the year of the event, with the remainder qualifying from the other four confederations.<ref name="revamp">{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/news/fifa-council-votes-for-the-introduction-of-a-revamped-fifa-club-world-cup |title=FIFA Council votes for the introduction of a revamped FIFA Club World Cup |website=FIFA.com |date=15 March 2019 |access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-club-exclusive/soccer-qualifying-for-new-club-world-cup-would-take-place-over-four-seasons-idUSKBN1HK1WW|title=Soccer: Qualifying for new Club World Cup would take place over four seasons|access-date=14 April 2017|first=Brian|last=Homewood|publisher=Sports News|date=13 April 2017}}</ref> Along with a new [[UEFA Nations League]] competition, revenues of $25 billion would be expected during the period from 2021 to 2033.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43868703| title = Fifa set to meet over $25bn offer to launch two tournaments| first = Richard| last = Conway| work = BBC Sport| date = 23 April 2018| access-date = 23 April 2018}}</ref> The first tournament would have been played in China; however, the tournament was cancelled<ref name=ESPN2022>{{cite news |last1=Olley |first1=James |title=FIFA to launch new Club World Cup format with 32 teams in 2025 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-club-world-cup/story/4832860/fifa-to-launch-new-club-world-cup-with-32-teams-in-2025 |access-date=16 December 2022 |work=[[ESPN]] |date=16 December 2022}}</ref> due to scheduling issues caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="FIFA COVID">{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/bureau-of-the-fifa-council-decisions-concerning-impact-of-covid-19 |title=Bureau of the FIFA Council decisions concerning impact of COVID-19 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=18 March 2020}}</ref>

On 16 December 2022, FIFA announced an expanded tournament that would have 32 teams and start in June 2025.<ref name=ESPN2022/><ref>{{cite news |title=Club World Cup: Fifa to stage 32-team tournament from June 2025 - president Gianni Infantino |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64001866 |access-date=16 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Kieran |date=16 December 2022 |title=Fifa to expand Club World Cup to 32 teams from 2025 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/gianni-infantino-fifa-club-world-cup-32-teams-b2246509.html |work=The Independent |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref> The [[International Federation of Professional Footballers]] and [[World Leagues Forum]] both immediately criticized the proposal.<ref name=ESPN2022/>

==Results==

===Finals===
{{See also|List of FIFA Club World Cup finals}}
{{For|a full list of world champions|List of world champion football clubs}}
{{small div|
;Keys
* aet: result/match won [[overtime (sports)|after extra time]]
* p: match won after [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]]
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:93%; text-align:; width:;"
|-
! rowspan=2 style= "width:;" | {{abbr|Ed.|Edition}}
! rowspan=2 style= "width:;" | Year
! rowspan=2 style= "width:60;" |Host
! colspan=3 | First place game
! colspan=3 | Third place game
! rowspan=2 style= "width:;" | {{abbr|Num.<br>teams|Number of teams}}
! rowspan=2 style= "width:;" | {{abbr|Ref.|Sources}}
|-
! width= 170px| Winners 
! width= 70px|Score 
! width= 170px| Runners-up
! width= 170px | Third place
! width= 70px | Score
! width= 170px | Fourth place 
|-
| {{center|1}}
| {{center|[[2000 FIFA Club World Championship|2000]]}} 
| Brazil
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} '''[[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]]'''
| {{center|[[2000 FIFA Club World Championship final|0–0]] {{aet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–3}} }} 
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[CR Vasco da Gama|Vasco da Gama]]
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Club Necaxa|Necaxa]]
| {{center|1–1 {{aet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–3}}}}
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
| {{center|8}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/brazil2000/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108184830/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/brazil2000/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 November 2012 |title=FIFA Club World Championship Brazil 2000 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc00.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2000 |last1=Pontes |first1=Ricardo |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=29 May 2007 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|—}}
| {{center|[[2001 FIFA Club World Championship|2001]]}}
| Spain
| style=background:#efefef colspan=6| {{center|''Tournament cancelled due to financial difficulties''}}
| {{center|12}}
|<ref>{{cite news |title=World Club Championship axed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1338289.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=18 May 2001 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| {{center|—}}
| {{center|2002}}
|rowspan=3| {{left|—}}
|style=background:#efefef colspan=7 rowspan=3| {{center|''Tournament not held''}}
|rowspan=3| <ref name=":4">{{cite news |title=FIFA revamps Club World Championship|url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/2004/feb/20club.htm|date=20 February 2004 |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|2003}}
|-
| {{center|2004}}
|-
| {{center|2}}
| {{center|[[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} '''[[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]'''
| {{center|[[2005 FIFA Club World Championship final|1–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| {{fbaicon|CRC}} [[Deportivo Saprissa|Saprissa]]
| {{center|3–2}}
| {{fbaicon|SAU}} [[Ittihad FC|Al-Ittihad]]
| {{center|6}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108072859/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2005/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 November 2012 |title=FIFA Club World Championship Toyota Cup Japan 2005 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc05.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2005 |last1=Nakanishi |first1=Masanori "Komabano" |last2=de Arruda |first2=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=30 April 2006 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|3}}
| {{center|[[2006 FIFA Club World Cup|2006]]}} || Japan
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} '''[[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]]'''
| {{center|[[2006 FIFA Club World Cup final|1–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| {{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]
| {{center|2–1}}
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Club América|América]]
| {{center|6}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108184835/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 November 2012 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2006 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc06.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2006 |last1=Nakanishi |first1=Masanori "Komabano" |last2=de Arruda |first2=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=10 May 2007 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|4}}
| {{center|[[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|ITA}} '''[[A.C. Milan|Milan]]'''
| {{center|[[2007 FIFA Club World Cup final|4–2]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Boca Juniors]]
| {{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] 
| {{center|2–2{{refn|No extra time was played.|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–2}}}}
| {{fbaicon|TUN}} [[Étoile Sportive du Sahel|Étoile du Sahel]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref name="www.fifa.com index">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2007/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311123501/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2007/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2008 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc07.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2007 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=28 May 2008 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|5}}
| {{center|[[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|ENG}} '''[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'''
| {{center|[[2008 FIFA Club World Cup final|1–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ECU|1900}} [[L.D.U. Quito|LDU Quito]]
| {{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Gamba Osaka]]
| {{center|1–0}}
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]]
| {{center|7}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2008/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524151352/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2008/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2009 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc08.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2008 |last1=Nakanishi |first1=Masanori "Komabano" |last2=de Arruda |first2=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=21 May 2009 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|6}}
| {{center|[[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]]}}
| UAE
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]''' 
| {{center|[[2009 FIFA Club World Cup final|2–1]] {{aet}}{{refn|Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes.|group=n|name=barca09}} }}
| {{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Estudiantes de La Plata|Estudiantes LP]]
| {{fbaicon|KOR|1997}} [[Pohang Steelers]] 
| {{center|1–1{{refn|No extra time was played.|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–3}}}}
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325113433/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 March 2010 |title=FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc09.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2009 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><br><ref name="FIFA 2009">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/matches/round=252913/match=300111971/report.html |title=Club Estudiantes de La Plata – FC Barcelona |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714061247/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2009/matches/round=252913/match=300111971/report.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
|-
| {{center|7}}
| {{center|[[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010]]}}
| UAE 
| {{fbaicon|ITA}} '''[[Inter Milan]]'''
| {{center|[[2010 FIFA Club World Cup final|3–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|COD}} [[TP Mazembe]]
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]]
| {{center|4–2}}
| {{fbaicon|KOR|1997}} [[Seongnam FC|Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2010/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704040019/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/uae2010/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2011 |title=FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2010.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2010 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=17 July 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|8}}
| {{center|[[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]'''
| {{center|[[2011 FIFA Club World Cup final|4–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Santos FC|Santos]]
| {{fbaicon|QAT}} [[Al Sadd SC|Al Sadd]]
| {{center|0–0{{refn|No extra time was played.|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|5–3}}}}
| {{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Kashiwa Reysol]]
| {{center|7}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513132510/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2012 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2011.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2011 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=17 July 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2011/matches/round=257439/match=300180905/summary.html |title=Al-Sadd take third on penalties |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=18 December 2011 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|9}} 
| {{center|[[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|2012]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} '''[[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]]'''
| {{center|[[2012 FIFA Club World Cup final|1–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[C.F. Monterrey|Monterrey]]
| {{center|2–0}}
| {{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2012/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614222656/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2012/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2013 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2012.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2012 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=10 January 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|10}}
| {{center|[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]]}}
| Morocco
| {{fbaicon|GER}} '''[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]'''
| {{center|[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup final|2–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|MAR}} [[Raja Casablanca]]
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Atlético Mineiro]]
| {{center|3–2}}
| {{fbaicon|CHN}} [[Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.|Guangzhou Evergrande]] 
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/morocco2013/index.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=29 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2013.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2013 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=23 December 2013 |access-date=29 August 2014 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|11}}
| {{center|[[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]]}}
| Morocco
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]'''
| {{center|[[2014 FIFA Club World Cup final|2–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ARG}} [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]]
| {{fbaicon|NZL}} [[Auckland City FC|Auckland City]]
| {{center|1–1{{refn|No extra time was played.|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–2}}}}
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Cruz Azul]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/morocco2014/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808204827/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/morocco2014/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2015 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=29 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2014.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship 2014 |last1=de Arruda |first1=Marcelo Leme |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=23 December 2014 |access-date=29 August 2014 }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259703/match=300298900/match-report.html#nosticky|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220203314/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=259703/match=300298900/match-report.html#nosticky|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2014|title=Auckland City claim historic bronze|website=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=20 December 2014|access-date=20 December 2014}}
</ref>
|-
| {{center|12}}
| {{center|[[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]'''
| {{center|[[2015 FIFA Club World Cup final|3–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
| {{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
| {{center|2–1}}
| {{fbaicon|CHN}} [[Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.|Guangzhou Evergrande]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/japan2015/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616034206/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/japan2015/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2016 |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=13 September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2015.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup 2015 |last1=King |first1=Ian |last2=Stokkermans |first2=Karel |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=20 December 2015 |access-date=13 September 2016 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|13}}
| {{center|[[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]]}}
| Japan
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
| {{center|[[2016 FIFA Club World Cup final|4–2]] {{aet}}{{refn|Score was 2–2 after 90 minutes.|group=n|name=realm16}} }}
| {{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Kashima Antlers]]
| {{fbaicon|COL}} [[Atlético Nacional]]
| {{center|2–2{{refn|No extra time was played.|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–3}}}}
|{{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Club América|América]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/index.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=18 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225041824/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/index.html |archive-date=25 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2016.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup 2016 |last1=Stokkermans |first1=Karel |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=18 December 2016 |access-date=18 December 2016 }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276114/match=300364983/index.html#overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219030150/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276114/match=300364983/index.html#overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2016 |title=Club América – Atlético Nacional |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=18 December 2016 |access-date=18 December 2016 }}</ref><ref name="FIFA 2016">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276112/match=300364984/index.html#nosticky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217210729/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=276112/match=300364984/index.html#nosticky |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2016 |title=Real Madrid – Kashima Antlers |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=18 December 2016 |access-date=18 December 2016 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|14}}
| {{center|[[2017 FIFA Club World Cup|2017]]}}
| UAE
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]'''
| {{center|[[2017 FIFA Club World Cup final|1–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grêmio]] 
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]] 
| {{center|4–1}}
| {{fbaicon|UAE}} [[Al Jazira Club|Al-Jazira]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2017.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup 2017 |last1=King |first1=Ian |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|15}}
| {{center|[[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018]]}}
| UAE
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]'''
| {{center|[[2018 FIFA Club World Cup final|4–1]]}}
| {{fbaicon|UAE}} [[Al Ain FC|Al-Ain]]
| {{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] 
| {{center|4–0}}
| {{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Kashima Antlers]] 
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifa-wcc2018.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup 2018 |last1=King |first1=Ian |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=3 January 2019 |access-date=17 January 2019 }}</ref>
|-
| {{center|16}}
| {{center|[[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019]]}}
| Qatar
| {{fbaicon|ENG}} '''[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]''' 
| {{center|[[2019 FIFA Club World Cup final|1–0]] {{aet}}}} {{center|{{refn|Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes.|group=n|name=liver}}}}
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]]
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[C.F. Monterrey|Monterrey]]
| {{center|2–2{{refn|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|4–3}}}}
| {{fbaicon|KSA}} [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |last1=Poole |first1=Harry |title=Flamengo 0–1 Liverpool: Roberto Firmino's extra-time strike delivers first Club World Cup|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50869633 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 February 2022 |date=21 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|17}}
| {{center|[[2020 FIFA Club World Cup|2020]]}}
| Qatar
| {{fbaicon|GER}} '''[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]'''
| {{center|[[2020 FIFA Club World Cup final|1–0]]}}
| {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Tigres UANL]]
| {{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]
| {{center|0–0{{refn|No extra time was played.|group=n|name=noaet}}}} {{center|{{pso|3–2}}}}
|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras|Palmeiras]]
| {{center|6}}
| <ref>{{cite web |last1=Begley |first1=Emlyn |title=Fifa Club World Cup final: Bayern Munich beat Tigres to become world champions|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56011123 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 February 2022 |date=11 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|18}}
| {{center|[[2021 FIFA Club World Cup|2021]]}}
| UAE
| {{fbaicon|ENG}} '''[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]''' 
| {{center|[[2021 FIFA Club World Cup final|2–1]] {{aet}}{{refn|Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes.|group="n"}}}}
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Palmeiras]]
| {{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]
| {{center|4–0}}
| {{fbaicon|KSA}} [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |title=Chelsea win Club World Cup: Kai Havertz winner sees off Palmeiras after extra time|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60352740 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 February 2022 |date=12 February 2022}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|19}}
| {{center|[[2022 FIFA Club World Cup|2022]]}}
| Morocco
| {{fbaicon|ESP}} '''[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]'''
| {{center|[[2022 FIFA Club World Cup final|5–3]]}}
| {{fbaicon|KSA}} [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]]
| {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[CR Flamengo|Flamengo]]
| {{center|4–2}}
| {{fbaicon|EGY}} [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]]
| {{center|7}}
| <ref>{{cite web |title=Real Madrid 5–3 Al-Hilal: Vinicius & Federico Valverde score in Club World Cup final win|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64612995 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 February 2023|date=11 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
| {{center|20}}
| {{center|[[2023 FIFA Club World Cup|2023]]}}
| Saudi Arabia
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| {{center|7}}
| 
|}
;Notes
{{reflist|group=n}}

=== Performances by club ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Performances in the FIFA Club World Cup by club
|-
!scope="col"|Club
!scope="col"|Titles
!scope="col"|Runners-up
!scope="col"|Years won
!scope="col"|Years runners-up
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
|align="center"|5
|align="center"|0
|[[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]], [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]], [[2017 FIFA Club World Cup|2017]], [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018]], [[2022 FIFA Club World Cup|2022]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|1
|[[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]
|[[2006 FIFA Club World Cup|2006]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]]
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|0
|[[2000 FIFA Club World Championship|2000]], [[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|2012]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|GER}} [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|0
|[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]], [[2020 FIFA Club World Cup|2020]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|[[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019]]
|[[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|[[2021 FIFA Club World Cup|2021]]
|[[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|2012]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0
|[[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0
|[[2006 FIFA Club World Cup|2006]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ITA}} [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0
|[[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0
|[[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan|Internazionale]]
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0
|[[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[CR Vasco da Gama|Vasco da Gama]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2000 FIFA Club World Championship|2000]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Boca Juniors]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ECU}} [[L.D.U. Quito|LDU Quito]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Estudiantes de La Plata|Estudiantes]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|COD}} [[TP Mazembe]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Santos FC|Santos]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|MAR}} [[Raja Casablanca]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ARG}} [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|San Lorenzo]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|ARG}} [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|JPN}} [[Kashima Antlers]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense|Grêmio]] 
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2017 FIFA Club World Cup|2017]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|UAE}} [[Al Ain FC|Al-Ain]] 
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]] 
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Tigres UANL]] 
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2020 FIFA Club World Cup|2020]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"|{{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras|Palmeiras]] 
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2021 FIFA Club World Cup|2021]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fbaicon|KSA}} [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]]
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2022 FIFA Club World Cup|2022]]
|}

=== Performances by country ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Performance by nation
|-
!scope="col"|Country
!scope="col"|Titles
!scope="col"|Runners-up
!scope="col"|Years won
!scope="col"|Years runners-up
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Spain}}
|align="center"|8
|align="center"|1
|[[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]], [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]], [[2017 FIFA Club World Cup|2017]], [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018]], [[2022 FIFA Club World Cup|2022]]
|[[2006 FIFA Club World Cup|2006]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Brazil}}
|align="center"|4
|align="center"|5
|[[2000 FIFA Club World Championship|2000]], [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]], [[2006 FIFA Club World Cup|2006]], [[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|2012]]
|[[2000 FIFA Club World Championship|2000]], [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]], [[2017 FIFA Club World Cup|2017]], [[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019]], [[2021 FIFA Club World Cup|2021]]
|-
! align="left" scope="row" | {{fba|England}}
| align="center" |3
| align="center" |2
|[[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]], [[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019]], [[2021 FIFA Club World Cup|2021]]
|[[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]], [[2012 FIFA Club World Cup|2012]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Italy}}
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|0
|[[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]], [[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Germany}}
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|0
|[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]], [[2020 FIFA Club World Cup|2020]]
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Argentina}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|4
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]], [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]], [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]], [[2015 FIFA Club World Cup|2015]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Ecuador}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|DR Congo}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Morocco}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Japan}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|United Arab Emirates}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Mexico}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2020 FIFA Club World Cup|2020]]
|-
!align="left" scope="row"| {{fba|Saudi Arabia}}
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|{{sort dash}}
|[[2022 FIFA Club World Cup|2022]]
|}

=== Performances by confederation ===
[[Confederation of African Football|Africa]]'s best representatives were [[TP Mazembe]] from the [[Linafoot|Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Botola|Moroccan]] club [[Raja CA|Raja Casablanca]], which finished second in [[2010 FIFA Club World Cup|2010]] and [[2013 FIFA Club World Cup|2013]], respectively. [[Asian Football Confederation|Asia]]'s best representatives were [[Kashima Antlers]] from [[J.League|Japan]], [[Al Ain FC|Al-Ain]] from the [[UAE Pro League|United Arab Emirates]] and [[Al Hilal SFC|Al-Hilal]] from [[Saudi Professional League|Saudi Arabia]], finishing second in [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|2016]], [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup|2018]] and [[2022 FIFA Club World Cup|2022]], respectively. [[CONCACAF|North America]]'s best result was [[Liga MX|Mexican]] team [[Tigres UANL]], which earned a second-place finish in [[2020 FIFA Club World Cup|2020]]. These six clubs are the only sides from outside [[UEFA|Europe]] and [[CONMEBOL|South America]] to reach the final.

[[Auckland City FC|Auckland City]] from [[New Zealand Football Championship|New Zealand]] earned third place in [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup|2014]], the only time to date that an [[Oceania Football Confederation|Oceanian]] team reached the semi-finals of the tournament.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Confederation !! data-sort-type="number" | Winners !! data-sort-type="number" | Runners-up !! data-sort-type="number" | Third place
|-
|align=left| [[UEFA]] || 15 || 3 || —
|-
|align=left| [[CONMEBOL]] || 4 || 10 || 5
|-
|align=left| [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] || — || 3 || 5
|-
|align=left| [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] || — || 2 || 3
|-
|align=left| [[CONCACAF]] || — || 1 || 5
|-
|align=left| [[Oceania Football Confederation|OFC]] || — || — || 1
|-
!align=left| Total !! 19 !! 19 !! 19
|}

==Format and rules==
{{See also|List of FIFA Club World Cup participants}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:right"
|+Distribution of clubs in the <br> FIFA Club World Cup<ref name="regulations">{{cite web |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/cc55b7738d0beb6/original/Regulations-for-the-FIFA-Club-World-Cup-2022.pdf |title=Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2022 |publisher=[[FIFA]] |date=23 December 2022 |access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
!scope=col|Play-off round
|-
|{{col-start}}
*Winners of the [[OFC Champions League]]
*Host nation's national league champions
{{col-end}}
|-
!scope=col|Quarter-final round
|-
|{{col-start}}
*Winners of the [[AFC Champions League]]
*Winners of the [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
*Winners of the [[CAF Champions League]]
*Winners of the play-off round
{{col-end}}
|-
!scope=col|Semi-final round
|-
|{{col-start}}
*Winners of the [[Copa Libertadores]]
*Winners of the [[UEFA Champions League]]
*Two winners of the quarter-final round
{{col-end}}
|-
!scope=col|Final
|-
|
*Two winners of the semi-final round
|}
As of 2022, most teams qualify to the FIFA Club World Cup by winning their continental competitions, be it the AFC Champions League, CAF Champions League, CONCACAF Champions League, Copa Libertadores, OFC Champions League or UEFA Champions League. Aside from these, the host nation's national league champions qualify as well.<ref name="Formats">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/95/45/34/regulationsfcwc2012_e.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328220018/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/95/45/34/regulationsfcwc2012%5fe.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 March 2013 |title=2012 FIFA Club World Cup – Regulations |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

The maiden edition of this competition was separated into two rounds. The eight participants were split into two groups of four teams. The winner of each group met in the final while the runners-up played for third place. The competition changed its format during the 2005 relaunch into a [[single-elimination tournament]] in which teams play each other in one-off matches, with [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]] and [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-outs]] used to decide the winner if necessary. It featured six clubs competing over a two-week period. There were three stages: the quarter-final round, the semi-final round and the final. The quarter-final stage pitted the Oceanian Champions League winners, the African Champions League winners, the Asian Champions League winners and the North American Champions League winners against each other. Afterwards, the winners of those games would go on to the semi-finals to play the European Champions League winners and South America's Copa Libertadores winners. The victors of each semi-final would play go on to play in the final.<ref name="Formats"/>

With the introduction of this format, a fifth place match and a spot for the host nation's national league champions were added. There are now four stages: the play-off round, the quarter-final round, the semi-final round and the final. The first stage pits the host nation's national league champions against the Oceanian Champions League winners. The winner of that stage would go on the quarter-finals to join the African Champions League winners, the AFC Champions League winners and the CONCACAF Champions League winners. The winners of those games would go on to the semi-finals to play the UEFA Champions League winners and South America's Copa Libertadores winners. The winners of each semi-final play each other in the final.<ref name="Formats"/>

Starting from 2022, the match for fifth place is no longer played.<ref name="regulations"/>

==Trophy==

The trophy used during the inaugural competition was called the ''FIFA Club World Championship'' Cup. The original laurel was created by Sawaya & Moroni, an Italian designer company that produces contemporary designs with cultural backgrounds and design concepts. The designing firm is based in [[Milan]]. The fully silver-coloured trophy had a weight of {{convert|4|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a height of {{convert|37.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Its base and widest points are {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. The trophy had a base of two pedestals which had four rectangular pillars. Two of the four pillars had inscriptions on them; one contained the phrase, "FIFA Club World Championship" imprinted across. The other had the letters "FIFA" inscribed on it. On top, a football based on the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] ball, the [[Adidas Tricolore]], can be seen. The production costs of the laurel was US$25,000. It was presented for the first time at [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts]] in Rio de Janeiro on 4 January 2000.<ref name="Trophy 3"/><ref name="Trophy 2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/r&a-awards/52/01/04/fs-399_09a_comp-trophies.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614213426/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/r&a-awards/52/01/04/fs-399_09a_comp-trophies.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2010 |title=FIFA awards |page=2 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Sawaya & Moroni">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sawayamoroni.com/imgs/menu.html |title=Sawaya & Moroni |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304022741/http://www.sawayamoroni.com/imgs/menu.html |archive-date=4 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Original Trophy">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sawayamoroni.com/old%20web/products/special/fifa2.html |title=FIFA Club World Championship Cup |work=Sawaya & Moroni |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513073248/http://www.sawayamoroni.com/old%20web/products/special/fifa2.html |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Quote box
|quote = Just as the [FIFA] women's [World Cup] trophy had a distinct feminine note to it, so this new trophy is more masculine. It is also inspired by a classic sense of geometry and architecture, enduring concepts just like the status of a World Champion.
|source = William Sawaya, designer of the ''FIFA Club World Championship'' trophy, commenting on the laurel; [[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]], 3 January 2000.<ref name="Trophy 3">{{cite web |title=New Silver Trophy for Club World Champions |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/new-silver-trophy-for-club-world-champions-71821 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=3 January 2000 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|align = right
|quoted = 1
|width = 31%
}}
The tournament, in its present format, shares its name with the current trophy, also called the ''FIFA Club World Cup'' or simply ''la Copa'', which is awarded to the FIFA Club World Cup winner. It was unveiled at [[Tokyo]] on 30 July 2005 during the draw of that year's edition of the competition. The laurel was designed in 2005 in [[Birmingham]], United Kingdom, at [[Thomas Fattorini Ltd]], by English designer Jane Powell, alongside her assistant Dawn Forbes, at the behest of FIFA. The gold-and-silver-coloured trophy, weighing {{convert|5.2|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, has a height of {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Its base and widest points are also measured at exactly {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}}. It is made out of a combination of [[brass]], [[copper]], [[sterling silver]], [[gilding metal]], [[aluminium]], [[chromium|chrome]] and [[rhodium]]. The trophy itself is gold plated.<ref name="Reference 36"/><ref name="Trophy 2"/>

The design, according to FIFA, shows six staggered pillars, representing the six participating teams from the respective six confederations, and one separate metal structure referencing the winner of the competition. They hold up a globe in the shape of a football – a consistent feature in almost all of FIFA's trophies. The golden pedestal has the phrase, "FIFA Club World Cup", imprinted at the bottom.<ref name="Trophy 2"/>
{{clear}}

==Awards==
{{Main|FIFA Club World Cup awards}}

At the end of each Club World Cup, awards are presented to the players and teams for accomplishments other than their final team positions in the tournament. There are currently three awards:<ref name="Award">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/16/81/19/fcwc2013_regulations_en_neutral.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008070859/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/16/81/19/fcwc2013_regulations_en_neutral.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2013 |title=Regulations – FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013 |website=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:Messi with Neymar Junior the Future of Brazil.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|[[Lionel Messi]] with the [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] greets Bronze Ball recipient [[Neymar]] after the 2011 Club World Cup Final.]]
*The [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] for the best player, determined by a vote of media members, who is also awarded the [[Alibaba Cloud]] Award (the presenting sponsor of the FIFA Club World Cup); the Silver Ball and the Bronze Ball are awarded to the players finishing second and third in the voting respectively.<ref name="Award"/>
*The [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#Player of the Match|Player of the Match]] (formerly known as the "Man of the Match") for the best performing player in each tournament match. It was first awarded in 2013.
*The [[FIFA Club World Cup awards#FIFA Fair Play Trophy|FIFA Fair Play Trophy]] for the team with the best fair play record, according to the points system and criteria established by the FIFA Fair Play Committee.<ref name="Award"/>

The winners of the competition are also entitled to receive the [[FIFA Champions Badge]]; it features an image of the trophy, which the reigning champion is entitled to display on its first-team kit only, up until and including, the final of the next championship. The first edition of the badge was presented to [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], the winners of the [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup Final|2007 final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/fifa-awards-special-club-world-champion-badge-milan-687173|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222151907/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/fifa-awards-special-club-world-champion-badge-milan-687173|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 December 2019|title=FIFA awards special 'Club World Champion' badge to AC Milan|website=[[FIFA]]|date=2 February 2008|access-date=22 December 2019| quote=At a ceremony today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke officially presented a badge to AC Milan's CEO Adriano Galliani to honour their club's victory at the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup. This new badge will also be provided to the winning club of all future editions of the competition.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bayern join elite group of badge-winners |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2249190/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429075908/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2249190/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2014 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=17 December 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> All four previous champions were allowed to wear the badge until the [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup Final|2008 final]], where [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] gained the sole right to wear the badge by winning the trophy.<ref name="Badge">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/organisation/media/newsid=1972763/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223070908/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/organisation/media/newsid=1972763/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2012 |title=Corinthians join elite group of badge-wearers |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=March 6, 2013 }}</ref>

Each tournament's top three teams receives a set of gold, silver or bronze medals to distribute to their players.<ref name="Award"/>

==Prize money==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:right"
|+Prize money (USD)
|-
|bgcolor="gold" align="center"|Winners
|$5 million
|-
|bgcolor="silver" align="center"|Runners-up
|$4&nbsp;million
|-
|bgcolor="#cc9966" align="center"|Third place
|$2.5&nbsp;million
|-
|align="center"|Fourth place
|$2&nbsp;million
|-
|align="center"|Fifth place
|$1.5&nbsp;million
|-
|align="center"|Sixth place
|$1&nbsp;million
|-
|align="center"|Seventh place
|$0.5&nbsp;million
|}
The [[2000 FIFA Club World Championship]] was the inaugural edition of this competition; it provided US$28&nbsp;million in prize money for its participants. The prize money received by the clubs participating was divided into fixed payments based on participation and results. Clubs finishing the tournament from fifth to eighth place received US$2.5&nbsp;million. The club who would eventually finish in fourth place received US$3&nbsp;million while the third-place team received US$4&nbsp;million. The runner-up earned US$5&nbsp;million while the eventual champions would gain US$6&nbsp;million.<ref name="Reference 32">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/million-dollars-prize-money-offer-71817 |title=28 Million Dollars in Prize Money on Offer |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=3 January 2000 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The relaunch of the tournament in [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship]] saw different amounts of prize money given and some changes in the criteria of receiving certain amounts. The total amount of prize money given dropped to US$16&nbsp;million. The winners received US$5&nbsp;million and the runners-up US$4&nbsp;million, with $2.5&nbsp;million for third place, US$2&nbsp;million for fourth, US$1.5&nbsp;million for fifth and US$1&nbsp;million for sixth.<ref name="Reference 29">{{cite web |url=http://es.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompcwc/01/15/71/66/statisticalkit_fcwcfinal.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506204711/http://es.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompcwc/01/15/71/66/statisticalkit_fcwcfinal.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2014 |title=FIFA Club World Cup: Statistical Kit |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=5 December 2011 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

For the [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup]], a play-off match between the [[Oceania Football Confederation|OFC]] champions and the host-nation champions for entry into the quarter-final stage was introduced in order to increase home interest in the tournament. The reintroduction of the match for fifth place for the [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008 competition]] also prompted an increase in prize money by US$500,000 to a total of US$16.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/organisation/media/newsid=711059.html |title=Organising committee approves tournament format with reintroduction of match for fifth place |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=12 March 2008 |access-date=13 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314224518/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/organisation/media/newsid%3D711059.html |archive-date=14 March 2008 }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Sponsorship==
Like the [[FIFA World Cup]], the FIFA Club World Cup is sponsored by a group of multinational corporations. [[Toyota|Toyota Motor Corporation]], a Japanese [[multinational corporation|multinational]] [[automaker]] headquartered in [[Toyota, Aichi|Toyota]], [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]], was the Presenting Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup until its sponsorship agreement expired at the end of December 2014 and was not renewed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://footballchannel.asia/2015/04/29/post3336/ |title=TOYOTA END CLUB WORLD CUP SPONSORSHIP |publisher=footballchannel.asia |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703061924/http://footballchannel.asia/2015/04/29/post3336/ |archive-date=3 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Because Toyota was an automobile manufacturer and the main sponsor of the tournament, [[Hyundai Motor Group|Hyundai-Kia]]'s status as a FIFA partner was not active with respect to the Club World Cup prior to 2015.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} However, the other FIFA partners – [[Adidas]], [[Coca-Cola]] and [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] – retained full sponsorship rights.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 2015, [[Alibaba Group]] signed an eight-year contract to become the Presenting Partner of the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/y=2015/m=12/news=alibaba-e-auto-signs-as-presenting-partner-of-the-fifa-club-world-cup-2743056.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211021029/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/y=2015/m=12/news=alibaba-e-auto-signs-as-presenting-partner-of-the-fifa-club-world-cup-2743056.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2015|title=Alibaba E-Auto signs as Presenting Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup|website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=9 December 2015}}</ref>

The inaugural competition had six event sponsors: [[Fujifilm]], [[Hyundai Group|Hyundai]], [[JVC]], [[McDonald's]], [[Budweiser]] and [[MasterCard]].<ref name="Reference 28">{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=0qX8s2k1IRwC&dat=19991227&printsec=frontpage&hl= |title=Um desafio fascinante |trans-title=A fascinating challenge |page=54 |last1=Charlton |first1=Bobby |author-link1=Bobby Charlton |work=[[Jornal do Brasil]] |date=28 December 1999 |access-date=6 March 2013 |language=pt}}</ref><ref name="Toyota">{{cite web |url=http://www.toyota-global.com/events/sports_sponsorship/soccer/cwc/activities.html |title=FIFA Club World Cup awards |publisher=[[Toyota Motor Corporation]] |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref>

Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising, even if such sponsors conflict with those of the FIFA Club World Cup. However, only one main sponsor is permitted per jersey in addition to that of the kit manufacturer.<ref name="Formats"/>

==Records and statistics==
{{Main|FIFA Club World Cup records and statistics}}
{{See also|List of FIFA Club World Cup broadcasters|List of FIFA Club World Cup finals|List of FIFA Club World Cup hat-tricks|List of FIFA Club World Cup participants|List of FIFA Club World Cup winning managers|Historical table of the FIFA Club World Cup}}
{{multiple image
| image1   = Shahter-Reak M 2015 (11).jpg
| width    = 200
| align    = right
| caption1 = [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] (pictured in 2015 wearing a Real Madrid kit with the gold [[FIFA Champions Badge]]) is the all-time leading goalscorer in the tournament
}}

[[Toni Kroos]] has won the FIFA Club World Cup six times, which is the record for the most by any player.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Summerscales |first1=Robert |title=Real Madrid Crowned FIFA Club World Cup Champions Again As Toni Kroos Makes History |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/real-madrid-win-fifa-club-world-cup-as-toni-kroos-makes-history |website=si.com |access-date=11 February 2023 |date=11 February 2023}}</ref> [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] holds the record of being the overall top goalscorer in FIFA Club World Cup history with seven goals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Club World Cup – All-time Topscorers |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_goalgetter/klub-wm/tore/1/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=13 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> [[Hussein El Shahat]] is the player with the most appearances in the competition, with twelve.<ref>{{cite web |title=Club World Cup – All-time appearances |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_top_player/klub-wm/1/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=13 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] have won the FIFA Club World Cup a record five times. They also have the most wins (12) and most total goals scored in the competition (40).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fifawcc.html|title=FIFA Club World Cup|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=11 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="worldfootball">{{cite web |title=Club World Cup – All-time league table |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_table/klub-wm/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=11 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> [[Auckland City FC|Auckland City]] have participated in the most different tournaments (10), while [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]] have played the most matches in the competition (22).<ref name="worldfootball"/>

== Official songs ==
Like most international football tournaments, the FIFA Club World Cup has featured official songs for each tournament since 2005. Unlike most larger tournaments, such as the [[FIFA World Cup]], the songs consist mainly of [[J-pop]], as most of the FIFA Club World Cups were held in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=31 August 2019|title=The (Almost) Complete List of Every FIFA Club World Cup Theme Songs.|url=https://musa-blog.com/clubwcsong-1268/#toc10|access-date=25 January 2021|website=Musa-Blog|language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=12 December 2014|title=RedOne makes 5,4 Billion for composing the FIFA Club World Cup Song.|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2014/12/146671/redone-makes-mad-5-4-million-for-composing-fifa-club-world-cup-song/|access-date=25 January 2021|website=Morocco World News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=29 November 2009|title="The Road to the World's No. 1 Soccer Club!"|url=https://kakaku.com/tv/channel=4/programID=11010/page=1/|access-date=25 January 2021|website=Kakaku|language=Japanese}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+List of FIFA Club World Cup official songs and anthems.
!Year
!Hosts
!Official songs/anthems
!Languages(s)
!Performer(s)
|-
|2005
| rowspan="4" |{{flag|Japan}}
|"Legendary Meadow"
|Japanese
| rowspan="2" |[[Chemistry (band)|Chemistry]]
|-
|2006
|"Top of the World"
|Japanese
|-
|2007
|"Shining Night"
|Japanese
|Chemistry (supported by [[Monkey Majik]])
|-
|2008
|"Septenova"
|English and Japanese
|[[Gospellers]] vs. [[Shintaro Tokita]] (from [[Sukima Switch]])
|-
|2009
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|UAE}}
|"The River Sings"
|Loxian
|[[Enya]]
|-
|2010
|
|
|
|-
|2011
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Japan}}
|"Never Give Up"
|Japanese
|[[Kylee]]
|-
|2012
|"World Quest"
|Japanese
| rowspan="3" |[[NEWS (band)|NEWS]]
|-
|2013
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|Morocco}}
| rowspan="2" |"Seven Colors"
| rowspan="2" |English and Japanese
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
|-
|"Come Alive"
|English
|[[RedOne]] feat. [[Ahmed Chawki|Chawki]]
|-
|2015
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Japan}}
| rowspan="2" |"Anthem"
| rowspan="2" |English
| rowspan="5" |NEWS
|-
|2016
|-
|2017
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|UAE}}
|"Kingdom"
|English and Japanese
|-
|2018
|"Spirit"
|Japanese
|-
|2019
| {{flag|Qatar}}
|"Superstar"
|Japanese
|-
|2022
| {{flag|Morocco}}
|"Welcome To Morocco"
|English and Arabic
|RedOne, [[Douzi]], [[Hatim Ammor]], [[Asma Lamnawar]], Rym, Aminux, Nouaman Belaiachi, Zouhair Bahaoui, [[Dizzy DROS]]
|-
|}

== Reception ==
Since its inception in 2000, the competition, despite its name and the contestants' achievements, has received differing reception. In most of Europe it struggles to find broad media attention compared to the [[UEFA Champions League]] and commonly lacks recognition as a high-ranking contest.<ref>{{cite news|first=Peter |last=Staunton|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2014/12/12/6987312/why-does-the-club-world-cup-still-struggle-for-relevance|title=Why does the Club World Cup still struggle for relevance?|website=goal.com|date=12 December 2014|access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Tim |last=Vickery|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2010/12/post.html|title=World Club Cup deserves respect|publisher=BBC|date=13 December 2010|access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref> In South America, however, it is widely considered the highest point in the career of a footballer, coach and/or team at international club level.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofoman.com/article/73579/Sports/Football/Football:-Ignored-in-Europe-Club-World-Cup-finds-adulation-in-SAmerica|title=Ignored in Europe, Club World Cup finds adulation in S.America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107025617/https://timesofoman.com/article/73579/Sports/Football/Football:-Ignored-in-Europe-Club-World-Cup-finds-adulation-in-SAmerica|archive-date=7 November 2018|newspaper=[[Times of Oman]]|date=14 December 2015|access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="bbc1">{{cite news|first=Tim |last=Vickery|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2008/12/one_of_my_regrets_is.html|title=The prestige of the Club World Cup|publisher=BBC|date=15 December 2008|access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref> In Brazil and Argentina, the tournament is seen as a continuity of the Intercontinental Cup.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The competition is also criticised, mainly by the European press and fans among others, for its format, which favours the UEFA and CONMEBOL teams, since their representatives start in the semi-finals and can only meet each other in the final match.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The opening up of the global market in football has changed the balance. Nowadays, the best South Americans are usually playing for the European teams.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Tim |last=Vickery|title=Balance that no longer exists; in today's globalised market the best players South Americans are representing the European champions teams.|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-club-world-cup/0/blog/post/3311801/gremio-focused-on-outscoring-not-outplaying-real-madrid-in-club-world-cup-final|editor=ESPN|date=15 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-club-world-cup/0/blog/post/3734493/river-plates-third-place-win-doesnt-overshadow-that-south-american-football-is-losing-ground|title=River Plate's third-place win doesn't hide that South American football continues to lose ground|first=Tim |last=Vickery|date=22 December 2018|access-date=25 December 2018|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> FIFA's decision to choose the competition's host based on economic deals rather than their footballing merit, such as Qatar, has also been criticised.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50820195|title=Club World Cup: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is 'wrong person' to address Qatar issues|publisher=BBC|access-date=16 February 2023|date=17 December 2019}}</ref> Additionally, the economic benefits to the winning team are considered inferior to any [[Super Cup]] prizes.<ref>{{cite news|language=es|first=Miguel |last=Caballero|url=http://www.goal.com/es-ar/news/5003/mundial-de-clubes/2015/12/11/18246382/mundial-de-clubes-la-ant%C3%ADtesis-de-un-mundial-de-selecciones|title=Mundial de Clubes, ¿la antítesis de un Mundial de Selecciones?|website=goal.com|date=11 December 2015|access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=es|first=Albert |last=Masnou|url=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/mundial-de-clubes/ridiculo-premio-por-ganar-mundial-clubes-4761632|title=El ridículo premio por ganar el Mundial de clubes|publisher=[[Sport (Spanish newspaper)|Sport]]|date=18 December 2015|access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of association football competitions]]
* [[List of world champion football clubs]]
* [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Augustyn |first=Adam |title=The Britannica Guide to Soccer |publisher=[[The Rosen Publishing Group]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-61530-581-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/britannicaguidet0000unse_z5y5 }}
*{{cite book |last=Darby |first=Paul |title=Africa, Football and Fifa: Politics, Colonialism and Resistance (Sport in the Global Society) |publisher=Frank Cass Publishers |year=2002 |isbn=0-7146-8029-X }}
*{{cite book |last=Dunmore |first=Tom |title=Historical Dictionary of Soccer |year=2011 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |isbn=978-0-8108-7188-5}}
*{{cite book |last=Fortin |first=François |title=Sports: The Complete Visual Reference |year=2003 |publisher=Firefly Books |isbn=1-55297-807-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781552978078 }}
*{{cite book |last=Goldblatt |first=David |title=The Ball Is Round: A Global History of Soccer |year=2008 |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |isbn=978-1-59448-296-0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Jozsa |first=Frank |title=Global Sports: Cultures, Markets and Organizations |year=2009 |publisher=[[World Scientific]] |isbn=978-981-283-569-7 }}
*{{cite book |last=Mitten |first=Adam |title=The Rough Guide to Cult Football |year=2010 |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |isbn=978-1-4053-8577-0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Oliver |first=Guy |title=Almanack of World Football 2007 |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=0-7553-1506-5 }}
*{{cite book |last=Peterson |first=Marc |title=The Integrity of the Game and Shareholdings in European Football Clubs |publisher=GRIN Verlag |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-640-43109-0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Radnedge |first=Keir |title=FIFA World Football Records 2012 |publisher=[[Carlton Books]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84732-840-3 }}
*{{cite book |last=Sugden |first=John |title=FIFA and the Contest For World Football |publisher=[[Polity Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-7456-1661-5 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Trecker |first1=Jim |last2=Miers |first2=Charles |editor1-last=Whitesell |editor1-first=J. Brett |title=Women's Soccer: The Game and the Fifa World Cup |publisher=Explorer Publishing |year=2008 |edition= Illustrated |isbn=978-9948-8585-3-9 }}
*{{cite book |last=Witzig |first=Richard |title=The Global Art of Soccer |publisher=CusiBoy Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=0-9776688-0-0 }}
*{{cite book |title=Explorer Tokyo: The Complete Residents' Guide |year=2008 |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |isbn=978-1-59448-296-0 }}
*{{cite book |title=Soccer: The Ultimate Guide |year=2010 |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |isbn=978-0-7566-7321-5 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{FIFA Club World Cup}}
{{navboxes
|titlestyle = background:#ccccff
|list =
{{FIFA Club World Cup winners}}
{{FIFA Club World Cup winning managers}}
{{FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}}
{{FIFA navbox}}
{{Intercontinental Cup (football)}}
{{International football}}
{{World football championships}}
{{Club world championships}}
{{Main world championships}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fifa Club World Cup}}
[[Category:FIFA Club World Cup| ]]
[[Category:FIFA club competitions|Club World Cup]]
[[Category:World championships in association football|Club World Cup]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2000]]
[[Category:December sporting events]]