With just 100 days to go until the kickoff of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the football world is abuzz with excitement, despite being in the midst of thrilling local competitions. It’s hard to believe that with the Champions League in full swing in Europe, the upcoming global tournament has somewhat flown under the radar. For the first time, 32 teams from the six confederations will clash in a format reminiscent of the World Cup, offering fans a unique experience that sets it apart from the Intercontinental Cup, which still exists in its current form.
Tournament Format
The 2025 Club World Cup will adopt a classic format, where the 32 participating teams will be divided into eight groups of four teams each. Each team will play three matches in the group stage, facing off against each of their group rivals once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, marking the beginning of the knockout stages that will culminate in the grand final. Notably, in the event of a tie during the knockout stages, there won’t be extra time; the winner will be decided directly through a penalty shootout. This format promises to deliver thrilling matches from the outset, with every team having a genuine shot at progressing to the later stages.
Participating Teams
The selection of teams has been based on their performance in the main club competitions of each confederation between 2021 and 2024. European powerhouses like Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea will be participating. South America will be represented by teams such as Flamengo, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. Clubs from other regions, including Al Ahly from Egypt, Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, and Auckland City from New Zealand, will also take part. The absence of Barcelona and the presence of Inter Miami, the team of Leo Messi, are notable points of interest. This diverse lineup ensures a clash of styles and strategies, making the tournament even more captivating.
Host Cities and Stadiums
The United States will host the tournament, with matches scheduled in 12 stadiums across 11 cities. Some of the most notable venues include the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has a capacity of 82,500 spectators and will host the final on July 13. Other prominent stadiums include the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which can accommodate 65,000 fans, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with a capacity for 75,000 spectators, and the Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, with a seating capacity of 69,000. Additional host cities will be Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Orlando. The selection of these cities and stadiums promises to provide the perfect backdrop for the tournament, offering a blend of atmosphere, accessibility, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Key Dates and Lucrative Prizes
The tournament will take place from June 15 to July 13. The group stage will be held between June 15 and June 28, followed by the knockout stages starting on July 1, culminating in the final on July 13 at the MetLife Stadium. FIFA has established an attractive prize structure based solely on the teams’ performance. The champion will receive $5 million, and the runner-up will get $4 million. There will also be prizes for the third and fourth places, with $3 million and $2 million allocated, respectively. Teams that finish between fifth and seventh place will each receive $1 million. In total, $17 million will be distributed in prizes, incentivizing teams to perform at their best in every match. However, these figures are just for the performance-based prizes during the tournament.
The FIFA also intends to distribute a significantly larger amount among the participating clubs based on the revenue from the sale of broadcasting rights, which DAZN has acquired for €1,000 million. The organization aims to share the benefits with the clubs, meaning a team could earn between €60 million and €100 million just by participating, with the potential for more if they win the tournament. Moreover, FIFA plans to create a solidarity fund to ensure that the money also reaches clubs that did not make it into the top 32 in this inaugural edition. This approach underscores FIFA’s commitment to supporting football development across all levels.
Ticket Sales and Prices
Tickets for the 2025 Club World Cup are available to the general public as of January 16, 2025. Prices for the group stage start at $50, though they vary depending on the match and stadium location. For the semifinals and the final, initial prices range between $140 and $300. Tickets can be purchased through FIFA’s official portal. This accessibility ensures that fans from all walks of life can be part of this spectacular event.
The Trophy: A Masterpiece
FIFA has unveiled a stunning trophy for this edition, designed by the prestigious jewelry house Tiffany & Co. The trophy features a golden circular shape with the inscription “Club World Cup” in Spanish, English, and French, supported by a black base with the FIFA logo in gold. It also bears an engraved map of the world alongside the 211 FIFA member federations and spaces for the names of future champions. This masterpiece symbolizes the pinnacle of club football achievement, awaiting the first winner of the revamped tournament.
