The inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, boasting a record-breaking $1 billion prize pool, is set to commence across the United States from June 14 to July 13. This expanded 32-team tournament features top-tier clubs from around the globe, including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, and Kylian Mbappé’s Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the star-studded lineup and substantial financial incentives, the competition has faced scrutiny regarding player workload and fan engagement.
FIFPRO, the global players’ union, has expressed concerns about the intensified schedule, highlighting the challenge for athletes to perform after an exhaustive 11-month season with limited rest before the new campaign. Additionally, questions have been raised about the potential attendance for group-stage matches involving less globally recognized teams from Asia, Africa, and North America. For instance, the June 17 fixture in Orlando between South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns may require significant marketing efforts to attract a full stadium.
To bolster viewership, FIFA has partnered with broadcasters like DAZN to offer free streaming of the tournament. President Gianni Infantino envisions the event as a transformative experience, likening it to “the magic of a national team World Cup at the club level,” and anticipates it will “change our sport for the better.”
The tournament’s structure includes 12 European teams, such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich; six South American clubs, including Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo and Flamengo; and representatives from Major League Soccer, like Inter Miami, LAFC, and Seattle Sounders. African and Asian clubs, including Egypt’s Al Ahly and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, also participate.
The substantial prize fund, with the winner potentially earning up to $125 million, has alleviated some concerns about the clubs’ commitment to the competition. FIFA plans to host the tournament every four years, though its future frequency will depend on its reception and success in the inaugural edition.
