A Billion-Dollar Tournament With a Presidential Touch

Chelsea emerged as the champions of the inaugural Club World Cup under the new format, lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium in a historic final where U.S. President Donald Trump presented the silverware. The event capped off a month of competition among 32 clubs, distributing $1 billion in prize money, in what FIFA president Gianni Infantino called a “massive success.”

The tournament delivered surprises like the group-stage elimination of Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid's semifinal defeat to PSG, and it also highlighted the growing bond between Infantino and Trump, who sat side by side during the final in New Jersey.

The new Club World Cup served as a preview for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and will feature 48 national teams for the first time in history.

Record Prize Pool and Unforgettable Stories

Chelsea earned over $115 million for winning the tournament, including nearly $70 million for the final alone. FIFA distributed $525 million among the 32 clubs and another $475 million based on performance throughout the tournament.

A notable moment came when the Club World Cup trophy was displayed at Trump Tower in New York, with Infantino, former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo Nazário, and Eric Trump in attendance. FIFA also announced its new headquarters will be based in that same building.

In total, over 2.4 million tickets were sold, with an average attendance of nearly 40,000 fans per match, according to FIFA.

From European Glamour to Auckland's Miracle

While clubs like Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester City drew massive crowds, the tournament also featured underdog stories like Auckland City. The New Zealand club, after suffering heavy losses against Bayern Munich and Benfica, stunned the football world by holding Boca Juniors to a 1-1 draw.

The goal came from Christian Gray, a school teacher who trains four days a week, and helped secure a $1 million prize for the team.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, this Club World Cup made it clear that global club football is thriving—and FIFA is determined to elevate it to the level of its national counterpart, with the next tournament expected to break records with 104 total matches.