The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises to make history as a landmark event in international football. For the first time, FIFA’s expanded tournament will feature 32 teams in a format modeled closely after the FIFA World Cup, and the United States will host it. This ambitious move underscores FIFA’s strategic push to elevate club football on a global stage and capitalize on the sport’s surging popularity in North America.
Background of the Club World Cup Format
FIFA originally launched the Club World Cup in 2000 to determine the world’s top football club. In its earlier iterations, the tournament featured a small number of teams, usually the champions from each continental confederation.
In response to these criticisms, FIFA introduced a sweeping overhaul. Beginning in 2025, the new FIFA Club World Cup format will include 32 of the world’s top clubs, divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage. This format closely mirrors that of the FIFA World Cup and is designed to deliver a month-long spectacle that attracts the attention of a global audience.
FIFA’s motivation behind this expansion is twofold. First, it aims to create a tournament that offers significant commercial value, particularly through broadcasting and sponsorship rights. Second, FIFA wants to offer clubs from non-European regions more meaningful opportunities to compete on a world stage, strengthening the global ecosystem of the sport.
How the United States Became Host
FIFA based its decision to hold the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States on long-term planning. MLS investment, European League popularity, and demographic shifts to football among younger audiences have made the US one of the fastest-growing football markets in the world.
Logistics-wise, the US has excellent infrastructure. Those same venues that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including state-of-the-art stadiums in Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Lumen Field in Seattle, Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and others, will be used for the Club World Cup. Such facilities provide the capacity, media technology, and accessibility that an international tournament of this scale requires.
Importantly, FIFA considers the United States a world media capital with unmatched broadcasting reach and commercial potential. There, the Club World Cup is a test field for the type of big football events FIFA wants to promote more often in the future.
Teams and Qualification Criteria
The 2025 tournament will feature 32 clubs drawn from six confederations. Clubs qualify primarily based on their performance in continental competitions held between 2021 and 2024.
The remaining slots are CONMEBOL (6), AFC (4), CAF (4), CONCACAF (4), and OFC (1), with one place reserved for a host-nation club. This structure balances representation while also ensuring competitive integrity.
While many see this as a unique branding opportunity and a chance to grow international fan bases, others have raised concerns about the congested football calendar and the physical toll on players. The reaction has been especially cautious among top European clubs, many of whom already face demanding seasonal commitments.
Opposition and Controversies
The expanded Club World Cup is a flashpoint in FIFA’s ongoing disputes with UEFA and top clubs. Among the primary concerns is the tournament timing. Organizers scheduled the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for June and July, overlapping with players’ recovery periods and preparation time for the 2025–2026 domestic season.
Top European clubs and leagues have expressed outright opposition. UEFA has criticized the move as unilateral and lacking adequate consultation. Player unions like FIFPRO have warned that the calendar overload risks player health, citing increasing rates of fatigue-related injuries.
Impact on Domestic and Continental Competitions
There will be scheduling conflicts with several domestic leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, in the 2025 Club World Cup, with Clubs having shorter offseasons and tighter schedules for the following campaign, which could impact performance and injury management.
There are also concerns about how the expanded format will affect the UEFA Champions League and other continental tournaments. The increased physical demands and fixture congestion could reduce the quality of domestic and European competition, especially if clubs begin to prioritize certain tournaments over others.
FIFA’s Defense and Long-Term Vision
In response to the criticism, FIFA has maintained that the Club World Cup is essential to its broader goal of “globalizing” the club game. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the tournament as a necessary evolution, arguing that football’s global growth depends on reducing the concentration of wealth and talent in Europe.
FIFA officials emphasize that the new format provides more opportunities for clubs from Africa, Asia, and the Americas to compete at a world-class level. They also argue that the commercial success of the tournament will help fund grassroots programs and development initiatives around the world.
Strategically, FIFA views the Club World Cup as a way to assert its influence in the club football space, traditionally dominated by UEFA. By creating a high-profile, FIFA-managed tournament, the organization seeks to counterbalance UEFA’s control over elite club competition and offer an alternative vision for the sport’s future.
US Readiness and Fan Expectations
With multiple cities vying to host matches, local organizing committees are working closely with FIFA to ensure readiness in terms of infrastructure, security, and logistics.
Ticketing strategies and broadcasting rights will follow models used for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with global streaming platforms and major networks competing for coverage. American sports culture will also play a role in shaping the fan experience, with a strong emphasis on entertainment, digital engagement, and in-stadium activations.
What This Means for Global Football
The launch of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup could mark a turning point in the global football ecosystem. By increasing the international visibility of club teams from outside Europe, the tournament may accelerate the globalization of fan bases, commercial partnerships, and player markets.
For players, it presents both opportunity and risk. It is a new stage to showcase talent, but also another stretch of high-intensity competition added to an already crowded calendar. Managers and clubs will need to make strategic decisions about how to approach the tournament within the broader demands of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the tournament controversial?
The tournament has drawn criticism for its timing, potential impact on player health, and the broader scheduling conflicts it creates with domestic and continental competitions. Many European clubs and UEFA have voiced strong opposition.
Will the Club World Cup replace the Champions League?
No. The Champions League will continue to exist independently. However, the expanded Club World Cup may compete for attention and resources, especially if it becomes a regular fixture.
How are players and unions reacting?
Player unions such as FIFPRO have warned against the physical toll of the congested calendar, citing increased injury risks. Many players have yet to comment publicly, but fatigue and workload are ongoing concerns.