As the ball rolled at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, the United States made history by hosting the first edition of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 — a tournament FIFA calls its most ambitious football project in decades.
A New Era of Club Football Begins in the USA
Running from June 14 to July 13, the tournament features 32 club teams from across six continents, adopting a World Cup-style format with group stages and knockout rounds. It’s the first time the Club World Cup mirrors the national team tournament structure used between 1998 and 2022.
FIFA sees this as the start of a bold chapter in global football — bringing together the best clubs from every region in a competition designed to crown a true world champion every four years.
Top Teams in Action
The lineup features global giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, alongside historic Latin American clubs such as Boca Juniors, Flamengo, River Plate, and Palmeiras.
From Asia and Africa, top teams like Al Ahly, Urawa Red Diamonds, TP Mazembe, and Wydad Casablanca will also compete. Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, joins as one of the tournament’s main attractions, especially for local fans in the U.S.
Group Stage Breakdown
The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the Round of 16.
Group A
- Manchester City (England)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
- Club León (Mexico)
- Al Ahly (Egypt)
Group B
- Chelsea (England)
- Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
- Auckland City (New Zealand)
Group C
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
- River Plate (Argentina)
- TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Group D
- Flamengo (Brazil)
- Atlético Madrid (Spain)
- Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea)
Group E
- Inter Milan (Italy)
- Tigres UANL (Mexico)
- Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
- Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Group F
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Pachuca (Mexico)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Group G
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Atlético Nacional (Colombia)
- Benfica (Portugal)
- Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Group H
- Juventus (Italy)
- Seattle Sounders (USA)
- Inter Miami (USA)
- Porto (Portugal)
Big Money, Empty Seats?
According to FIFA’s latest financial report, the tournament could contribute $21.1 billion to global GDP, with $9.6 billion in the U.S. alone. Prize money is set at $1 billion, with the winner possibly earning up to $125 million.
Broadcasting rights were sold to DAZN for $1.05 billion, and all 63 matches will be streamed for free. However, concerns linger over stadium attendance. Just days before kickoff, Ticketmaster still had tickets available for all matches — with prices dropping well below their original listings.
As an example:
- Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly: ~$69
- PSG vs. Atlético Madrid (Los Angeles): ~$61
- Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal (Miami): starting at $265
- Boca Juniors vs. Benfica: as low as $41
The pricing model, which adjusts based on demand, might have discouraged early buyers. Some fans may wait for further drops to secure last-minute deals.
The competition is a golden opportunity for clubs outside Europe to test themselves against the sport’s wealthiest giants. But the challenge is steep. European clubs hold a significant edge in squad value and depth.
For instance, PSG is worth over $1 billion, while Brazil’s Botafogo is valued at just $183 million. The tournament’s most expensive team is Real Madrid at $1.5 billion, with Palmeiras being Latin America’s highest at $288 million.
Still, fans can look forward to memorable matchups like:
- Messi’s Inter Miami facing Porto
- Edinson Cavani’s Boca Juniors taking on European powerhouses
- Salomón Rondón of Pachuca facing former rivals from Spain
“This is the first cup played this way. I think it will help level the playing field, and surely all the clubs will be happy,” said former Argentina captain and current Inter Milan executive Javier Zanetti after the draw.
Player Burnout a Growing Concern
With many players already completing long domestic and international seasons, the risk of burnout looms large. Bradley Barcola of PSG, for example, logged over 3,600 minutes in 58 games before arriving in the U.S.
“I would have loved to play in a tournament like this … though I’m sure it would have taken a few days off my vacation,” joked Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazário during the draw.
“Many players are complaining, there are many injuries, and the demands are very high. We need to respect and listen to the players,” Ronaldo added.
FIFA’s only major adjustment? Scrapping the traditional third-place match.
“We want to do everything for the players to be in the best conditions to perform in the best way … and that’s what many players tell me as well, what you want is to play rather than to train, right?” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in April.
Are All the Best Teams Here?
The tournament’s qualification method, based on past continental champions, means some top current teams are missing. Liverpool and Barcelona, recent domestic champions, didn’t qualify. Meanwhile, Chelsea made it based on its 2021 Champions League win despite lackluster league finishes since then.
Still, the tournament offers a fresh format, massive exposure, and potential legacy value. In time, FIFA hopes this event will redefine club football’s global pecking order.
Conclusion
The 2025 Club World Cup is a risk — but one that may pay off in spectacle, revenue, and fan engagement. For now, it’s a chance for the world’s best clubs to prove their worth on a truly global stage.
So sit back, and let the games begin.