FIFA Club World Cup 2025: New format and debated changes.©(@theMadridZone )
The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup is set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, marking a significant overhaul of the tournament that was once considered a “mistake” by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Initially an annual event featuring just seven teams, the game will now include 32 teams, occurring once every four years. The changes in scope and format have sparked considerable controversy within the football world.
Qualification for the revamped tournament will include teams from all six global football confederations: Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North and Central America (Concacaf), South America (Conmebol), Oceania (OFC), and Europe (UEFA). Europe will receive the highest allocation of spots, with 12 teams qualifying based on their performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past four seasons. As a result, clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are among those securing their places in the tournament. The qualification system also includes a UEFA ranking, though only two clubs per country can qualify, meaning that the 2022 Champions League finalists, Liverpool, miss out.
Four spots are available for clubs from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America, six for South America, and one for Oceania. The clubs earned their places by accumulating points over the last four seasons, with performances in continental competitions determining their positions. The final team to secure a spot was Brazilian club Botafogo, who triumphed over Atlético Mineiro in the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition.
The allocation of a spot for the host nation has brought additional controversy. FIFA has awarded this place to Inter Miami, the team that won the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. However, Inter Miami’s failure to win the MLS playoffs, along with the presence of Lionel Messi, has raised eyebrows. Some critics argue that FIFA’s decision to extend the invitation to Inter Miami—before the MLS season was completed—was likely a move to ensure Messi’s participation in the tournament, thus boosting its appeal. Messi’s involvement has generated significant interest, but some view this as a strategic decision to attract attention to a game that has yet to capture widespread enthusiasm.
The draw for the tournament will take place on December 5, 2024, with the participating teams divided into four pots. Teams from the top European clubs, such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, will be in Pot 1. In contrast, other leading European sides like Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund will feature in Pot 2. South American giants like Flamengo, Palmeiras, and River Plate will also be seeded alongside top clubs from Africa, Asia, and North America, including Al Ahly, Monterrey, and Boca Juniors.
The tournament’s format is modelled after the FIFA World Cup, with 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, playing each other once in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, culminating in a final on July 13, 2025. However, unlike the FIFA World Cup, the revamped Club World Cup will not feature a third-place playoff.
All matches will be held in the United States, a year before the country co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. Twelve stadiums nationwide will host the games, including iconic venues such as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, and the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The opening match will be held in Miami, with the final in New Jersey.
The decision to schedule the tournament has led to several concerns regarding the already congested football calendar. FIFA’s plan for the Club World Cup to take place in mid-2025 is just five weeks before the 2025-2026 Premier League season, which is set to begin on August 16. This scheduling has raised concerns from both players and managers. Premier League figures like Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and midfielder Kevin de Bruyne have expressed frustration about the increased number of matches, arguing that it compromises player welfare. Several high-profile players, including Alisson Becker of Liverpool and Rodri of Manchester City, have also voiced their concerns about the impact on player safety due to the packed calendar.
FIFA, however, has defended its position, stating that the Club World Cup is not the primary cause of calendar congestion. A FIFA spokesperson emphasized that the tournament, which occurs once every four years, accounts for only a tiny percentage of the total number of matches in a season. Furthermore, FIFA is working on initiatives to improve player welfare, including establishing a Task Force on Player Welfare, led by Arsène Wenger, to address concerns and foster global dialogue.
Another issue causing unease is the overlapping of the Club World Cup with the Women’s Euro 2025, which runs from July 2 to 27, 2025. FIFA has acknowledged the potential clash in scheduling but suggested that the time difference between Switzerland, where the Women’s Euro will take place, and the United States will minimize the overlap of matches. Despite this, some question whether the two high-profile events competing for attention will impact the visibility of both tournaments.
While the Club World Cup expansion is designed to increase global representation and generate more excitement, the decision to compress the tournament into a congested football calendar, combined with concerns about player welfare and the scheduling overlap with other major events, has sparked significant debate. FIFA’s efforts to make the tournament a flagship event have not been without controversy, and it remains to be seen how the football community will receive the changes when the tournament kicks off in 2025.
