2025 FIFA Club World Cup Set to Launch in Miami
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, June 14, with Inter Miami squaring off against Egypt's Al Ahly. This tournament promises to showcase elite soccer talent, including global icons like Lionel Messi and renowned teams such as Real Madrid.
FIFA envisions this newly established quadrennial event as the club soccer equivalent of the World Cup, aiming to elevate the profile of club competitions worldwide.
Running from June 14 to July 13, the final match will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The tournament has expanded significantly, increasing from seven to 32 teams, mirroring the structure of both men's and women's World Cups. Teams will compete in eight groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to a knockout stage culminating in the final.
Host cities across the U.S. include Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York/New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. This broad selection highlights the tournament's ambition to engage fans nationwide.
Among the European powerhouses participating are Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and this year's Champions League victor Paris Saint-Germain alongside runner-up Inter Milan. South America will be represented by top Brazilian clubs such as Fluminense, Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Botafogo, with Argentina's River Plate and Boca Juniors also in the mix.
From the U.S., Inter Miami leads alongside Seattle Sounders and LAFC. Mexican clubs Monterrey and Pachuca will also compete, while teams from Asia, Africa, and Oceania round out the diverse field.
Notably absent are giants like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Manchester United due to FIFA's stringent qualification criteria based on recent continental titles and ranking points. Countries are limited to two entrants unless they have multiple continental title winners.
Messi aims to add another trophy to his illustrious career, although Inter Miami is viewed as an underdog in this prestigious competition. The tournament features a star-studded lineup including Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior from Madrid, alongside Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed its role in ensuring security at major sporting events amid inquiries regarding its presence during the Club World Cup. The agency previously retracted a social media post announcing its officers would be "suited and booted" for the opening matches.
With a staggering total prize fund of $1 billion, the winning team could secure $125 million. FIFA has allocated $525 million in guaranteed fees for participating teams, ranging from $38.19 million for the top European team to $3.58 million for Auckland City from Oceania.
An additional $475 million will be distributed based on performance across 63 matches, with $2 million awarded for group stage victories and $40 million for the final winner.
The previous iteration of the Club World Cup was dominated by European teams; only Brazil's Corinthians managed to break their 17-year winning streak. The expanded format offers more South American teams a chance to compete against their European counterparts.
Inter Miami has already made headlines by signing Messi and Luis Suárez to MLS and aims to further bolster its reputation on this global stage.
Tickets for the event are available at FIFA.com/tickets. Initially priced at $349 for the opener in December, tickets can now be found for just under $80 as of Thursday. The least expensive ticket for the final in July is listed at $769.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino encouraged fans to purchase tickets during a promotional event leading up to the tournament. "Be part of history," he stated. "Football is such an important sport all over the world. We have billions of people watching this Club World Cup from home who would love to attend."
