The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: A Global Celebration Redefining Club Football

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held from June 14 to July 13, 2025, across the United States, marked a seismic shift in club football. This revamped 32-team tournament brought together the planet’s top clubs, from European giants like Real Madrid to South American powerhouses like Boca Juniors, in a month-long spectacle. Hosted in 11 vibrant U.S. cities, the event showcased thrilling matches, record-breaking prize money, and a glimpse into football’s global future. Yet, it wasn’t all smooth sailing—player welfare concerns, empty seats, and environmental debates sparked heated discussions. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Club World Cup, from its star-studded lineup to the controversies that shaped public opinion.

The 2025 Club World Cup featured 32 teams from six confederations, blending champions from 2021-2024 with top-ranked clubs and a special host slot for Inter Miami. The teams, drawn into eight groups of four, represented the pinnacle of club football:

• Europe (UEFA, 12 teams): Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg (competed as FC Salzburg due to FIFA rules).
• South America (CONMEBOL, 6 teams): Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Botafogo.
• North America (CONCACAF, 4 teams): Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Pachuca, Los Angeles FC, plus Inter Miami (host nation, 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners).
• Asia (AFC, 4 teams): Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Ulsan HD.
• Africa (CAF, 4 teams): Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns.
• Oceania (OFC, 1 team): Auckland City.

The group stage delivered unforgettable moments, like Bayern’s 10-0 rout of Auckland City and Inter Miami’s gritty 0-0 draw with Al Ahly, powered by Lionel Messi’s magic. The diversity of clubs ensured a global flavor, though European and South American teams dominated the spotlight.

Chelsea FC claimed the 2025 Club World Cup title, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in a commanding final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. This victory, Chelsea’s second Club World Cup crown, earned them up to $125 million from a staggering $1 billion prize pot—the largest in the tournament’s history. Even non-European clubs like Al-Hilal pocketed up to $29.6 million for participating, a financial boost that could reshape their domestic leagues. The prize money, streamed through DAZN’s $1 billion broadcast deal, underscored FIFA’s ambition to elevate club football’s global stakes.

The tournament spanned 11 U.S. cities, with 12 world-class stadiums setting the stage. From Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium to Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl, these venues doubled as a test run for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Key stadiums included:

• Miami, FL: Hard Rock Stadium (65,326 capacity, hosted the opener).
• New York/New Jersey: MetLife Stadium (82,500 capacity, final and semifinals).
• Los Angeles, CA: Rose Bowl Stadium (88,500 capacity).
• Atlanta, GA: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000 capacity).
• Others: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Lumen Field (Seattle), GEODIS Park (Nashville), Audi Field (Washington, D.C.).

While Hard Rock Stadium drew 60,927 for the Messi-led opener, some venues, like Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz (22,137 for Chelsea vs. LAFC), saw sparse crowds, raising questions about venue size and ticket pricing.

The tournament kicked off with a dazzling opening ceremony in Miami, featuring French Montana and Swae Lee, alongside football icons like Ronaldo and Kaká. Matches like PSG’s 80,619-strong clash with Atlético Madrid at the Rose Bowl electrified fans, while upsets—such as Al-Hilal knocking out Manchester City in the round of 16—kept the drama alive. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, joined by U.S. President Donald Trump at the final, hailed the event as a “new era for football,” though the star-studded spectacle couldn’t mask underlying issues.

The June-July schedule, clashing with players’ off-season, sparked major concerns. FIFPRO warned of burnout, with extreme heat in cities like Miami (96°F during some matches) amplifying risks. No major injuries were widely reported, but the threat of heat stress and fatigue loomed large, especially for stars like Rodri, previously sidelined by an ACL injury after a grueling season. Coaches like Pep Guardiola criticized the packed calendar, urging FIFA to prioritize player health with measures like extended cooling breaks.

Low attendance plagued some matches, with only 3,412 fans at Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando. High ticket prices ($51–$114) and oversized NFL stadiums were blamed, alongside U.S. fans’ unfamiliarity with teams like Al Ain. Environmental concerns also surfaced, with the tournament’s cross-country travel and FIFA’s fossil fuel partnerships drawing fire after the 2022 World Cup’s “carbon-neutral” controversy. Security issues, including ICE presence at some venues, further stirred unease, with FIFA scrambling to address fan backlash.