The FIFA Club World Cup, an annual tournament for men’s football clubs, has been held under FIFA’s auspices since 2005, although an initial attempt was made at the turn of the millennium. Historically, the tournament has remained a relatively peripheral event in the footballing calendar, often overshadowed by more prestigious competitions. European clubs have consistently dominated the competition, winning all but three editions in its 19-year history. The most recent victor, Manchester City, clinched the title in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just two days before Christmas 2023, further solidifying European dominance.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has long harbored ambitions to transform the Club World Cup into a much grander spectacle. As early as 2016, the same year he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, Infantino proposed expanding the tournament to 32 teams by the summer of 2019. While these plans were initially delayed, first by logistical hurdles and then by the COVID-19 pandemic, the expanded tournament is finally set to debut in the summer of 2025. This revamped format marks a significant departure from the existing structure. The competition will shift from an annual event to a quadrennial one, mirroring the frequency of the FIFA World Cup. The number of participating teams will increase from seven to 32, and the tournament duration will extend significantly, encompassing 63 matches played over several weeks in the summer instead of the traditional December timeframe.
This ambitious expansion has drawn sharp criticism from various stakeholders, particularly the international players’ union, FIFPro. Concerns have been raised about the increased strain on players already facing demanding schedules with their respective clubs and national teams. The prospect of an even more congested calendar has sparked discussions of potential player strikes, and FIFPro has lodged a formal complaint against FIFA with the European Commission. Despite these concerns, FIFA has pushed forward with its plans for the inaugural expanded tournament, selecting the United States as the host nation, leveraging the country’s existing infrastructure ahead of its co-hosting duties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA has spared no effort in generating hype and adding a layer of spectacle to the revamped tournament. The trophy itself, to be lifted for the first time by the winning team in New Jersey on July 13th, bears Infantino’s name engraved twice, along with the inscription: ”The golden era of club football: FIFA Club World Cup era. The pinnacle of all club competitions. Inspired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.” The draw ceremony in Miami featured a theatrical unveiling of the trophy, with Infantino using a golden key, dubbed the “FIFA Key,” to unlock the trophy case. He proclaimed that this key “opens the door to the hearts of the people.”
The Miami event was attended by football luminaries, including Brazilian legend Ronaldo, renowned referee Pierluigi Collina, Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero, Peruvian star Teófilo Cubillas, and Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development. The presence of these figures underscored FIFA’s intention to elevate the profile of the Club World Cup. The 32 participating teams represent a mix of global football powerhouses and regional champions. European giants like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich will compete alongside clubs from other continents. The inclusion of Inter Miami, however, has sparked controversy, as the American club did not win the MLS title, leading some to speculate that their participation was engineered to ensure the presence of Lionel Messi in the tournament.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the tournament was the virtual participation of former US President Donald Trump, introduced by Infantino as a ”very, very special friend” and ”a big, big fan.” Trump, who reportedly developed a close relationship with Infantino during his first term in office when the US was awarded the 2026 World Cup, reciprocated the praise, calling Infantino ”a winner” and highlighting the growth of football. The former president also revealed his son Barron’s passion for football. Interestingly, Infantino credited Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, with the idea of commissioning the new trophy from Tiffany & Co. Kushner, who reportedly played a key role in securing the 2026 World Cup for the US, attended the Miami draw with his wife, Ivanka Trump. Their son, along with Ivanka, had the honor of ceremonially initiating the draw.
The draw itself produced some potentially exciting matchups, including Bayern Munich versus Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in Miami, and a clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid in Los Angeles. FIFA has highlighted Real Madrid’s encounter with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on its website. Swedish midfielder Samuel Gustafson’s Urawa Red Diamonds will face Italian champions Inter in Seattle. The broadcasting rights for the tournament were secured by streaming giant Dazn for a reported sum of around $1 billion. This deal followed months of uncertainty and speculation about who would acquire the rights, reflecting the high financial stakes attached to FIFA’s ambitious plans. However, Dazn’s owner, Len Blavatnik, has faced scrutiny for his alleged involvement in suppressing critical media in Israel, while reports suggesting investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have been denied. The connection between FIFA and Saudi Arabia remains a subject of ongoing debate and controversy, fueled by Saudi Arabia’s selection as the sole bidder and host for the 2034 World Cup, along with FIFA’s sponsorship agreement with Saudi Aramco, a deal that has drawn protests from numerous female footballers. The financial details regarding club participation fees and distribution remain undisclosed, as does the future of a similar expanded tournament for women’s clubs, initially planned for 2026. The men’s Club World Cup is set to kick off on June 14th with a match between Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly.
