The former format of the FIFA Club World Cup was an annual international club football competition organized by FIFA, contested by the champion clubs from each of the six continental confederations, as well as the league champion from the host nation. The tournament was designed to crown the best club team in the world. Its format was a straightforward knockout bracket, often beginning with a play-off round, leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. While it provided a unique global stage, it was often criticized for a perceived European and South American dominance, with clubs from other continents struggling to compete. This version of the tournament served as a precursor to the newly expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup set to launch in 2025, which aims to become a more significant event in the football landscape.