FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Inaugural tournament kicks off in the US despite challenges
FIFA's billion-dollar Club World Cup is set to kick off in the U.S. with 32 teams vying for glory, despite concerns over empty seats and player welfare.
The much-awaited FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is about to kick off in the United States, with a historic moment for the clubs in football history. This tournament will feature 32 teams from across the globe, with a massive prize pool of $1 billion, with the winning team securing up to $125 million.
As the tournament starts on June 14, the tournament is facing significant challenges with concerns about empty stadiums and controversial qualification rules. The opening match will be played by Inter Miami against Egypt's Al Ahly in Miami.
What are FIFA Club World Cup 2025 challenges?
FIFA's ambitious billion-dollar project to change club football gets underway next Sunday. As the 32 teams get ready to compete in, the inaugural Club World Cup tournament expanded to 12 venues across the United States.
The competition, which has intended to be as a grand precursor of the 2026 World Cup, has already concerns relating to capacity, qualifications, and complaints relating to player welfare following the end of the European season.
On June 14 in Miami, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami face Egypt's Al Ahly, with tickets, according to Reuters, still widely available. FIFA's website shows seats can still be bought for the July 13 final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Inter Miami controversially earned theirs spot because of their first-place finish on the Major League Soccer regular season table, even though they lost their first playoff game.
The Florida team were in as the next best representative of the host nation, instead of MLS championship LA Galaxy, with Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders also included as three U.S. teams after qualifying through their performance in Concacaf after their league seasons.
The right deals at the FIFA Club World Cup
Managing to secure a last-minute $1 billion television rights deal with sports streaming service DAZN, which is only six months ahead of the tournament, means a grand total of $2 billion in expected revenue.
This has allowed FIFA to then announce a total prize pool of $1 billion, with the winning club to receive up to $125 million.
FIFA also stated there is a now an unprecedented solidarity investment program, targeting an additional $250 million to club football across the globe and that all revenue from the tournament will be redistributed to club football, which is a welcome commitment in what is still a difficult moment for clubs financially across the world.
That $1 billion prize pool might look enticing for club owners but for many players it might feel like a bridge too far having already endured a long-season and the European arm of players' union FIFPro and the European Leagues are taking legal action against FIFA on the matter and an injustice for the players involved.
