FIFA Launches $1B Club World Cup in United States with 32 Teams

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to make history as the richest football tournament ever, with a prize pool of $1 billion and the winner receiving $125 million. Taking place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, the expanded 32-team competition aims to become a landmark global event, featuring top clubs and stars like Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé. Despite the financial allure and star-studded lineup, the tournament faces significant challenges, including lagging ticket sales, fan skepticism, and concerns about player fatigue due to the already crowded football calendar. Player unions such as FIFPRO have warned about the heavy demands on athletes, who have little rest between seasonal competitions and international duties. FIFA is relying on broadcasters like DAZN offering free streaming and strong marketing to boost attendance, especially for group-stage matches involving lesser-known teams. The tournament runs concurrently with the Concacaf Gold Cup, adding to the soccer saturation in the U.S. this summer.