What The 2025 Club World Cup Means For The Future Of Club Football

‎FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup begins this weekend in the United States, marking a significant new addition to the global football calendar.

‎The tournament has sparked controversy and could have far-reaching implications for the future of the sport.

‎The 32-team tournament, with a prize fund of one billion dollars, has been squeezed into an already busy football calendar, raising fears it will overexert top players.

‎It also risks unsettling the balance between domestic leagues and continental competitions.

‎Moreover, participating teams could gain substantial financial benefits, potentially widening the gap between rivals.

‎Consider the leading clubs in Europe, which are sending 12 teams, including Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

‎Some teams will likely advance far in the Club World Cup, which features a maximum of seven matches leading up to the final on July 13.

‎The prize money is substantial, with the top European team potentially earning as much as $125 million.

‎”The Club World Cup model affects the ecosystem of national leagues, especially in Europe,” Javier Tebas, the president of Spain’s La Liga, told radio station Cadena Cope.

‎But while the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona will not be in the United States and so will miss out on the cash prizes, they will be able to give players a much-needed rest.

‎”I think it will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there,” said England manager Thomas Tuchel when asked about the consequences for the Premier League.

‎Huge Price Money

‎These clubs are already among the wealthiest globally, even before factoring in FIFA’s lucrative payouts.

‎However, teams elsewhere may find it harder to compete financially as the gap widens. For instance, South African clubs will struggle to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns, who will depart with a guaranteed minimum of nearly $10 million.

‎This amount is equivalent to the prize money for winning nine domestic titles, giving them a significant financial advantage.

‎The amateurs of Auckland City already dominated in Oceania before being handed over $3.5 million just as an appearance fee.

‎But if taking part here will be perhaps the ultimate career highlight for their players, it just adds to the demands on those at top clubs.

‎The launch of the competition faced resistance in Europe, and FIFPro, the global players’ union, has cautioned that the intense schedule is endangering the well-being of many of its members.

‎Causes and Effects on Players’ Long-term

‎Portugal midfielder Vitinha has appeared in 52 matches for PSG this season, including their Champions League final victory over Inter Milan on May 31.

‎Additionally, he has played in eight games for Portugal, including last week’s Nations League finals. Now, he is heading to the United States with PSG, likely with no holiday until mid-July.

‎The next French season is then due to start in mid-August, at the same time as the Premier League and La Liga.

‎And at the end of next season, Vitinha should be back in North America with Portugal at the expanded 48-team World Cup.

‎Such demands on leading stars are why player unions in Europe last year raised the threat of strike action in a bid to cut down on the number of matches.

‎”The problem is the accumulation of excessively long and intense seasons back to back,” said Maheta Molango, chief executive of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association.

‎”Players don’t think just about the summer, they think about how they are not going to have a holiday for the foreseeable future.”

‎Meanwhile, domestic leagues do not see why they should change to accommodate FIFA’s new tournament.

‎”International organisations and especially FIFA have increased the number of matches they organise, so now we have a calendar that is beyond saturation,” said Mathieu Moreuil of the Premier League.

‎Other tournaments are losing significance as they coincide with the Club World Cup, such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is also being held in the United States.

‎USA coach Mauricio Pochettino cannot select top players like Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, as they are participating in the Club World Cup with Juventus.

‎This scheduling clash is impacting the availability of key players for international competitions.

‎”That is the circumstance that we have and we need to adapt,” said Pochettino, the former PSG coach who may disagree with the view of Luis Enrique, currently in charge of the French side.

‎”I think it is an incredible competition,” he remarked looking ahead to the Club World Cup.