The Club World Cup, FIFA's $1 billion venture, encounters multiple obstacles
Prepare for soccer heaven as the FIFA Club World Cup is set to ignite on June 14, with Inter Miami CF and Al-Ahly locking horns at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. But what exactly is this tournament everyone's buzzing about?
It's a 32-team battle royale boasting a staggering $1 billion prize purse, hosted by the world soccer governing body and featuring champions from across the globe. The Club World Cup rolls into the United States a year before the 2026 World Cup, a joint venture between Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.
FIFA has marketed this as the inaugural event, although it has been around since 2000, primarily giving the top champions of various international confederations a grand stage. This is, however, its first expanded edition.
In the background, the tournament has been tainted with controversy even before the kick-off. Ticket sales, especially for the group stages, have been sluggish, and the presence of the U.S. Customs & Border Protection and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at matches has sparked concerns. Moreover, critics argue the tourney will stretch players' limits amid an already densely packed calendar.
Unlike the fiesta that is the FIFA World Cup, the Club World Cup doesn't have the same notoriety. FIFA chiefs had hoped the growing soccer enthusiasm in the States would sell tickets like hot cakes, but it seems the tournament might not be a surefire success.
Here's the lowdown on the competition, along with the anticipated storylines from the upcoming month:
Double Header: Two Major Soccer Tourneys in One Country
For the first time in U.S. history, two significant soccer tournaments will go head-to-head on American soil. Apart from the FIFA Club World Cup, slated to attract top club sides from around the world, there's also the Concacaf Gold Cup, featuring the top national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The U.S. will participate in the Gold Cup, while Saudi Arabia plays as a guest team. The Gold Cup kicks off on June 15 and wraps up with the final in Houston on July 6.
Fight Night: 32 Teams Face Off
A total of 32 teams will vie for the trophy, representing 20 countries. The breakdown of teams by confederation includes:
- Asian Football Confederation: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Ulsan HD (Korea Republic)
- Africa: Al-Ahly (Egypt), Wydad AC (Morocco), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Concacaf: Monterrey (Mexico), Pachuca (Mexico), Inter Miami CF (U.S), Los Angeles FC (U.S), Seattle Sounders (U.S.)
- CONMEBOL (South America): Botafogo (Brazil), Flamengo (Brazil), Fluminense (Brazil), Palmeiras (Brazil), Boca Juniors (Argentina), River Plate (Argentina)
- UEFA (Europe): Chelsea (England), Manchester City (England), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Benfica (Portugal), Porto (Portugal), Inter Milan (Italy), Juventus (Italy), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
- Oceania Football Confederation: Auckland City (New Zealand)
Venues Across the U.S.
The competition will traverse fourteen U.S. cities in alphabetical order: Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York/New Jersey, Orlando (2 venues), Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
Ka-Ching! $1 Billion Cash Prize
Adding fuel to the fire, the Club World Cup is decked out with a whopping $1 billion prize pot.
More than half of this fortune will be awarded based on sporting success, with the finalists banking $30 million for the final game alone.
Teams will collect $1 million for each point scored in the group stages, $7.5 million for making the Round of 16, $13.125 million for qualifying for the quarterfinals, and $21 million for reaching the semifinals. Clubs will pocket $30 million for qualifying for the final, with the victor netting $40 million.
Furthermore, clubs will receive participation money amounting to their confederation. European teams will earn between $12.81 million and $38.19 million, based on a ranking system incorporating both sporting and commercial criteria[6].
However, not everyone's happy. The players from the three MLS clubs - Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC - have demanded a larger share of the participation bonuses, with the issue unresolved as of June 12.
Front Runners: The Top Contenders
Can Paris Saint-Germain (France), fresh off its UEFA Champions League Final triumph over Inter Milan (Italy), keep the winning streak alive at MetLife Stadium on July 13? Real Madrid and new coach Xabi Alonso also have their eyes on the trophy, as reports suggest they're taking the tourney seriously[2].
Don't rule out Manchester City, the 2023 Club World Cup champions, either. Midfield ace Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner and 2023 Club World Cup player of the tournament, will be back in full swing after spending most of the previous season sidelined with an injury.
Botafogo, reigning champions of Brazil and Copa Libertadores, is expected to put up a strong show. Other teams to keep an eye on include Mexican powerhouses Pachuca and Auckland City (New Zealand), which has a chance to surprise observers and fans[1].
A Hard Sell
Despite MLS golden boy Lionel Messi's presence, ticket sales for the group stages have been lackluster, even in Miami. Miami Dade College students have been offered $20 tickets at Hard Rock Stadium, with an additional four complimentary tickets being provided to help pack the 65,326-seat venue[4].
FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains confident the stadium will be full.
"Yes, Hard Rock will be full. We will have a great atmosphere. It will be historic. It'll be two historic teams for very different reasons. The stadium will be full. Well, as for every new venture that anyone tries to create in the world, there are always discussions, and you never really know what will happen."[4]
An Oversaturated Calendar?
Despite the excitement, not everyone's jazzed about the tournament. Several European Leagues and FIFPRO, the global players' union, claim the soccer calendar is overburdened and poses a risk to player safety and wellbeing[7].
FIFA, however, has retorted that the Club World Cup isn't to blame, only accounting for a small percentage of matches each season[7].
Real Madrid's Kevin de Bruyne expressed unease regarding the additional demands on players, stating, "The issue is that UEFA and FIFA keep adding extra matches, and we can raise concerns, but no solutions have been found."[7]
Security Concerns
The involvement of U.S. Customs & Border Protection and ICE in policing major sporting events has been a longstanding practice, such as during the Super Bowl. But with the Trump administration actively enforcing immigration laws, concerns have arisen about these organizations potentially extending their role beyond security and into immigration enforcement at the tournament.
As of now, there's been no definitive statement from FIFA on fan detainment or interference by ICE agents.
Superstars Galore
A total of 81 countries will be represented in the tournament, including 26 World Cup champions. Standout names include 2010 Spain victory stars Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, and Thomas Muller, 2014 German champs, and 2018 France winners, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, and Hugo Lloris, to name a few[1].
The Messi Factor
Whenever the Argentine legend takes the field, anticipation soars. Messi has had an impressive domestic season, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists in 13 appearances, concurrently winning consecutive MLS Player of the Matchday honors[1]. Although a question mark surrounds his ability to produce such magic in high-level club competition while maintaining fitness, it's a given that he'll mesmerize fans.
U.S. Reps: Miami, Seattle, and LA Represent the States
Three MLS teams - Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles FC, and Inter Miami CF - will be the U.S. representatives. Despite not being deemed tournament favorites, these teams have their strengths, and surprises are never out of the question in big tournaments. Coached by former Argentina international Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami boasts a roster of international superstars who are experienced but perhaps past their prime. With the presence of talents like Spanish internationals Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, as well as Messi, they'll bring star power to the field. The Miami team has had its moments domestically but could struggle against top-tier club sides if they progress from their group.
The Sounders, having qualified through their 2022 Concacaf Champions League victory, are known for their physicality. However, there's concern about the injury toll, including star forward Jordan Morris, who has battled a hamstring injury.
LAFC, winners of the 2022 MLS Cup, possesses the ability to play an open, free-flowing game when it clicks. Coached by former U.S. international defender Steve Cherundolo, LAFC will look to turn it up in this tournament.
There are 33 Americans on the rosters of the three MLS clubs - Seattle (14), LAFC (12), and Inter Miami (7).
How to Watch
Fans can catch the action live on cable through TNT Sports or DAZN via streaming, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy[1].
[1] Soccer America[2] Reuters[3] CNN[4] The Athletic[5] SI.com[6] Inside World Football[7] BBC Sports
- Lionel Messi, the MLS golden boy, will compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, despite ticket sales for the group stages being lackluster, even in Miami.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that the Metlife Stadium, where Paris Saint-Germain is set to face Inter Milan, will be full, despite sluggish ticket sales.
