This will be the tournament's final edition in its current format before it's expanded to 32 teams from 2025 onwards. The European and South American title-holders automatically join during the semi-finals. The host nation's champions face the Oceania representatives for the right to join the Asia, Africa and North America champions in the quarter-finals stage. The host nation's national champions, along with the winners of the leading competition from each of the six populated continents, are entered into a straight knock-out tournament. Seven teams battle to be crowned world champions in this annual competition.
