5 Things You Didn’t Know About the 2025 Club World Cup
The 2025 Club World Cup will be the biggest ever: 32 teams, record-breaking prizes, global stars, and never-before-seen technology. Here are five things you probably didn’t know.
The Largest Club Tournament in History
The 2025 Club World Cup will be the first edition with 32 participating teams, taking place from June 14 to July 13 across the United States. The tournament will be held in 12 stadiums across 11 cities and will follow a format similar to the FIFA World Cup, with a group stage and knockout rounds.
This edition is set to become the most ambitious version in the competition’s history, establishing a new global standard for club football.
Global Superstars Will Take the Field
This tournament will feature some of the biggest names in world football. Expected participants include Lionel Messi with Inter Miami, Kylian Mbappé with Paris Saint-Germain, Jude Bellingham with Real Madrid, and Erling Haaland with Manchester City.
Other confirmed teams include Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Palmeiras, Monterrey, and Al Hilal, setting the stage for top-tier matches from the opening round.
Cutting-Edge Technology on Display
The tournament will debut several technological innovations. These include body cams on referees, stadium-based VAR, advanced ball sensors to detect offside, real-time performance tracking, and digital substitutions managed via tablets.
These tools aim to improve decision accuracy, fan engagement, and overall match transparency.
Record-Breaking Prize Money
The winning team could earn up to $125 million, the highest purse ever awarded in a FIFA club competition. Each club will receive guaranteed participation money, with additional bonuses for wins and draws. The total prize pool is expected to exceed $1 billion.
FIFA Already Considering Expansion
Although this will be the first 32-team edition, FIFA is already discussing the possibility of expanding the tournament to 48 clubs in future editions, depending on the success of 2025. Talks with federations and associations are already underway.
The 2025 Club World Cup is set to break records in participation, star power, and financial stakes. With legends like Messi, Mbappé, and Bellingham on the pitch, this tournament is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable events in international club football.