Can FIFA's Club World Cup, In A Crowded Calendar, Prove The Naysayers Wrong?

Last Updated:June 10, 2025, 10:41 IST

FIFA's new Club World Cup, with 32 teams and $1 billion to win, starts June 14.

FIFA's current plan is for the tournament to be held every four years. (Credits: FIFA Media)

With a staggering $1 billion in prize money, some of the biggest stars in football, and clubs from around the world competing, FIFA’s new Club World Cup has all the makings of a major event.

However, the 32-team tournament, set to take place across the USA from June 14 to July 13, has faced scepticism and criticism since FIFA president Gianni Infantino first proposed the idea.

As a newcomer in an already crowded football calendar, it remains to be seen whether this competition can secure a regular spot.

Player representatives, including global union FIFPRO, have raised concerns about the excessive workload on players. Others question if fans will show up in large numbers for the group stage fixtures.

“Players will have to perform at the end of an 11-month season with little prospect of getting enough rest before the following season starts," FIFPRO warned when FIFA formally announced the tournament in 2023.

Indeed, the event adds to an already packed schedule for top players. Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram and Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue played in the UEFA Champions League final on May 31 and then quickly switched to represent their countries in the Nations League finals in Germany.

They have since rejoined their clubs for the new FIFA tournament, where both teams are expected to advance to the latter stages.

The latter stages, likely featuring top European clubs against the best South American sides, should attract large crowds. However, ticket sales for group-stage games involving less globally renowned clubs from Asia, North America, and Africa remain uncertain.

Fixtures like the June 17 match in Orlando between South Korean club Ulsan HD and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will certainly need the full force of American marketing to fill the stadium.

FIFA hopes that with broadcasters DAZN offering free streaming of the tournament and the lure of giant club and player brands, fans worldwide will be captivated by the new competition.

“We are talking about something never seen before (that will) bring the magic of a national team World Cup to the club level," Infantino said.

“This tournament will be the beginning of something historic, something that will change our sport for the better and for all future generations who will come to love it as we do," he added.

In an era where players drive interest as much as, if not more than clubs, the participation of stars such as Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe should ensure social media buzz.

Twelve of the 32 teams come from Europe, including freshly crowned Champions League winners PSG, the continent’s most successful club Real Madrid, Premier League giants Manchester City and Chelsea, and German powerhouses Bayern Munich.

South America’s six teams include four Brazilian clubs, such as Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo and their Rio de Janeiro rivals Flamengo, along with Argentina’s top clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors.

Adding local interest, Major League Soccer has three teams in the tournament: Los Angeles FC, the Seattle Sounders, and Messi’s Inter Miami. Additionally, Mexico’s Pachuca and Monterrey are expected to attract significant support in the USA. Four clubs represent Africa, including Egypt’s storied Al Ahly, who will open the tournament against Messi and Miami on June 14. Asia’s quartet includes Saudi club, Al-Hilal.

American fans often snap up tickets for European teams playing pre-season friendlies in NFL stadiums, so the competitive aspect should draw healthy crowds for the marquee matches.

Questions about how seriously clubs would take the new competition have been somewhat quelled by the announcement of the significant prize fund.

The billion dollars are divided between participation fees for all clubs and rewards for those advancing deep into the tournament. The winner could walk away with up to $125 million.

FIFA’s current plan is to hold the tournament every four years, but its future frequency may change based on its initial reception.

If the tournament flops, critics will likely re-emerge to question its necessity. However, if it proves to be a roaring success, it’s not hard to imagine some at FIFA pushing for more frequent iterations.

(with AFP inputs)

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News sports Can FIFA's Club World Cup, In A Crowded Calendar, Prove The Naysayers Wrong?