FIFA Club World Cup Tournament Twist

FIFA announced today that they have add one extra spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, bringing the total number of clubs to 7. The 7th club will be a representative of the host nation and they will face the Oceania champion in the first round. Japan is hosting this years tournament, as they have for the last three years.

FIFA also announced that the total prize purse has been increased by $1 million dollars, with the champion taking home $5 million.

The third announcement is that FIFA will begin to rotate the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, based on a bidding process, starting with the 2009 tournament. Japan will again host the 2008 tournament, with the 2009 bidding starting in November 2007.

I like the idea of adding the 7th club and having them be from the host nation. According to FIFA.com, the Japanese representative will be determined by the J League regular season, which I think means the J League Champion. Considering the level of play in Oceania, this makes sense.

Hopefully Don Garber & Co. are reading this press release and are already starting to get the gears going on a bid for the 2009 tournament. They could easily hold the tournament in LA, Phoenix & San Jose.