Brazil is making a serious push to bring the FIFA Club World Cup to their shores in 2029. Sources confirm that Brazilian football officials formally requested to host the tournament during FIFA president Gianni Infantino's visit to Rio de Janeiro this week.
The timing couldn't be better. Infantino was already in Brazil to launch the countdown to the 2027 Women's World Cup, which Brazil will host across eight cities. While he was there, Brazilian football leaders saw their opportunity and went for it.
The meeting included some heavy hitters. Infantino sat down with Brazil team manager Carlo Ancelotti, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) presidents and vice presidents Samir Xaud and Gustavo Dias Henrique, plus Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. That's the kind of meeting that gets things done.
CBF Has Been Working Behind the Scenes
This didn't happen overnight. The CBF has been quietly working for months to bring this tournament home. And according to CBF vice president Xaud, Infantino's reaction has been positive from the start.
Back in June, Xaud spoke with Infantino during a Flamengo match at the 2025 tournament in the United States. He told ESPN that Infantino "smiled and was happy" when Brazil offered to host. "We are very close," Xaud said at the time.
Here's the interesting bit: FIFA didn't hold a bidding process for the 2025 Club World Cup. They simply appointed the United States to host the expanded 32-team format. FIFA hasn't announced yet how the 2029 bidding will work, which gives Brazil a chance to get in early.
Flamengo Already Locked In
For Brazilian fans and bettors, there's already something to celebrate. Flamengo has secured their spot in the 2029 tournament by winning the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores. They're the only Brazilian team guaranteed to be there so far.
If Brazil does land the hosting rights, expect home advantage to play a massive role in betting markets. Brazilian clubs performing on home soil, with passionate crowds behind them, could shift odds significantly when the tournament rolls around.
Infantino seems genuinely excited about Brazil's football future. During his visit, he watched Fluminense take on Flamengo in the Carioca Championship and praised Brazilian football's potential. "Infantino is someone who really likes Brazilian soccer," Xaud noted.
With the Women's World Cup coming in 2027 and a potential Club World Cup in 2029, Brazil could become FIFA's favorite destination. The country that lives and breathes football might just host back-to-back major tournaments.
