FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the USA

The summer of 2025 will witness a landmark moment in football history with the launch of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, starting in the city of Miami. The tournament, held every four years by FIFA, has grown from 7 to 32 participating teams—an expansion widely hailed as historic. The aim is to make the competition more inclusive and thrilling, similar to the FIFA World Cup for national teams, and to create a truly global spectacle for fans across all continents.

The United States was chosen as host to ensure the highest commercial and audience returns, thanks to its advanced sporting infrastructure and massive, entertainment-hungry market. The tournament will be played across 12 stadiums in 11 American cities, kicking off with a symbolic clash between Inter Miami and Al Ahly SC of Egypt—an opening game that carries great weight, especially with global icon Lionel Messi starring for the home team.

The final stages (semi-finals and final) will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York–New Jersey, which holds over 82,000 spectators, underscoring FIFA’s ambitious vision for this monumental event.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: A New Era of Wealth

Behind FIFA’s decision to organize a mega-tournament of this scale lie primarily financial motives. With the FIFA World Cup for national teams as its main income source, the governing body is eager to diversify its revenue streams and secure long-term sustainability for its development programs. Initial estimates suggest that the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will generate over €1.75 billion in revenue.

Broadcast rights represent the bulk of that income—about 75%—after DAZN secured exclusive global streaming rights in a €1 billion deal. The remaining 25% will come from ticket sales and official sponsors, who are lining up as the tournament approaches.

Prize money has also reached unprecedented levels. A total of €486 million will be distributed just for participation, with an additional €439 million allocated based on team performance. The winning team will take home a staggering €115 million—roughly €17 million per match played. These massive figures offer serious incentives for clubs to field their best squads.

In terms of distribution: group-stage wins will bring in €1.85 million; reaching the Round of 16 yields €6.95 million; quarter-finals €12.16 million; semi-finals €19.45 million. The runner-up gets €27.7 million, while the champion earns an extra €37 million, not including prior stage earnings.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: New Ref Rules Unveiled

The 2025 Club World Cup isn’t just unique in format and scale—it also marks a major shift in refereeing rules. FIFA will implement a set of new regulations approved by IFAB, aimed at speeding up the game and reducing time-wasting, particularly by goalkeepers.

One of the most notable changes is the enforcement of a new rule penalizing goalkeepers who hold onto the ball for more than 8 seconds. Instead of an indirect free kick, the opposing team will now be awarded a direct corner kick. Referees will use a countdown hand signal (five seconds) before applying the punishment, placing added pressure on goalkeepers to act quickly.

For the first time, the “Ref Cam” technology will be tested—referees will wear small body cameras to record all verbal exchanges with players during matches. While still in the trial phase, this innovation is seen as a step toward greater transparency and fan engagement.

According to FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina, the “Ref Cam” offers fans a completely new way to understand refereeing decisions and gives them an interactive experience unlike anything seen before.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Messi’s Quest

Inter Miami, part of Group A alongside Porto (Portugal), Palmeiras (Brazil), and Al Ahly (Egypt), enters the competition as a team with unique appeal. As the host club and part of David Beckham’s ambitious football project, all eyes are on them—not only because of Lionel Messi but also to see if they can compete with global heavyweights.

While they ended 2024 on a high note by winning the Supporters’ Shield in MLS and garnering significant fan support, their start to 2025 has been less convincing. The team has struggled in league play and was eliminated in the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals by Vancouver Whitecaps—sparking heavy criticism.

On paper, Porto and Palmeiras appear better balanced and more experienced in international competition. Yet Inter Miami has a formidable advantage: players like Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Though aging, this core brings unparalleled experience in major tournaments and could prove decisive in key moments.

Fans are placing their hopes on Messi, who has already netted 11 goals and provided 3 assists in 2025, despite being 37 years old. His international record shows a unique ability to perform under pressure—making his presence one of the tournament’s main attractions.

Tactically, the team is under the helm of Javier Mascherano, a coaching decision that continues to spark debate. While he’s led the team to 12 wins in 23 matches, his lack of tactical experience compared to European coaches could be a stumbling block. Nevertheless, his close understanding of Messi and other star teammates may help him maximize their impact.

Conclusion

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is more than just a new tournament—it’s a true test of FIFA’s ability to create a sustainable, entertaining, and financially viable football product. With changes in organization, regulations, and competitiveness, the tournament signals the birth of a new footballing era. And with legends like Messi and emerging talents from across the globe taking part, this edition may well go down in history as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 of a lifetime.