FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Kicks Off in the United States

The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup has begun in the United States, marking a significant shift in the landscape of international club soccer. Featuring 32 teams from across the globe, the tournament promises a month of intense competition and a substantial financial windfall for participating clubs. This revamped format, held every four years, aims to establish itself as the club equivalent of the FIFA World Cup, but has already faced criticism regarding its impact on player welfare due to an already congested schedule.

A New Era for Club Soccer

The FIFA Club World Cup has undergone a significant transformation. Previously an annual event with a limited number of participants, typically six or seven, the tournament now boasts 32 teams and will be held every four years. This expansion, spearheaded by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, represents an ambitious effort to create a truly global club competition. The tournament will consist of 63 matches played across 11 cities in the United States. The winner of the competition could receive up to $125 million from a total prize pool of $1 billion.

The decision to expand the Club World Cup also meant the end of the FIFA Confederations Cup. The Club World Cup will utilize many of the same venues that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, serving as a test run for the upcoming tournament.

Tournament Format and Key Participants

The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four, competing in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, followed by a straight knockout format through the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. There will be no third-place play-off.

Several of the world's most prominent clubs are participating, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and River Plate. However, not all top teams have qualified. Notable absentees include FC Barcelona and Liverpool. European clubs have the largest representation with 12 teams.

Eleven clubs from the European Club Association (ECA) have qualified for the tournament. Chelsea and Manchester City secured their spots by winning the UEFA Champions League during the 2021–2024 cycle. Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético de Madrid, and FC Salzburg qualified via the UEFA ranking pathway, which rewards consistent performance in UEFA club competitions over the same four-year period.

Venues and Schedule

Matches will be held across 12 venues in 11 cities. The opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami was held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium, which will also host the semi-finals. Other notable venues include the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The group stage includes three all-ECA clashes: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético de Madrid, Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, and Juventus vs. Manchester City.

Controversy and Concerns

Despite the excitement surrounding the expanded format, the tournament has faced criticism. Players and coaches have voiced concerns about the already congested football calendar, arguing that adding more games could negatively impact player performance and health. Some have labeled the tournament a "soulless cash grab."

FIFA's rules also stipulate that only two teams from each country can participate, leading to the exclusion of some popular clubs based on UEFA's four-year club coefficient rankings.

A Financial Bonanza

FIFA has allocated a substantial prize pool of $1 billion for the tournament. The winner could earn up to $125 million. FIFA has guaranteed fees for participating teams, ranging from $3.58 million for the representative from Oceania, Auckland City, to $38.19 million for the top-ranked European team. Additional prize money will be awarded for results in the 63 games, with $2 million paid for winning group stage games, $7.5 million for playing in the round of 16, and $40 million to the team that wins the final.

Conclusion

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 represents a bold step by FIFA to elevate club soccer on a global scale. While the tournament promises thrilling competition and significant financial rewards, it also faces challenges related to player welfare and scheduling. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen whether the new format will achieve its goal of becoming the club equivalent of the World Cup, or if the concerns raised by players and coaches will overshadow its success.