2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Vision, Competition, And Controversy

Organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the FIFA Club World Cup tournament showcases some of the premier soccer clubs from around the world. This year’s tournament is held in the United States, and the format has been expanded to include 32 teams from six continents, with a total prize pool of $1 billion. The event has been transformed into a quadrennial competition and serves as somewhat of a warm-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stakeholders are hopeful that U.S. fans will embrace the tournament, and that its 2025 edition will be a colossal success.

Although the event provides an opportunity to witness the best soccer clubs compete, there has been some controversy. Several Major League Soccer (MLS) players from the three competing teams—Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, and Los Angeles FC—perceive this year’s tournament as a ‘cash grab’ for the league. They have expressed concerns about being inadequately compensated, given the substantial prize money at stake. Their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) caps player earnings from outside competition at $1 million, while MLS teams benefit from financial incentives such as participation fees. For example, each MLS team is guaranteed to receive $9.55 million in the tournament. There have been attempts to remedy the situation. In addition to the CBA terms, MLS has reportedly proposed a deal based on performance incentives that would allow players to earn an additional 20 percent of the money generated from wins, draws, or team advancement. However, the players’ union is seeking to secure 40 percent of all prize money for its members.

Another discussion topic prior to the tournament involved Boca Juniors’ standout defender, Ayrton Costa, who was initially denied a visa to enter the U.S. due to his involvement in an aggravated robbery case in Argentina in 2018. However, that decision has since been reversed, and Costa has been granted a 26-day special visa, according to Reuters, as reported by a club spokesman. For those unfamiliar, Club Atlético Boca Juniors is one of the most historic and popular soccer clubs in Argentina and throughout Latin America. The club is based in the La Boca district of Buenos Aires, a neighborhood known for its working-class roots and rich traditions. Famous alumni include cultural icon Diego Maradona, along with Juan Román Riquelme, Martín Palermo and others.

With the United States set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, multiple cities are preparing to serve as venues for the matches, facing logistical and coordination challenges associated with organizing a large-scale international soccer tournament. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is somewhat of a test run for U.S. cities, with games being held in 12 locations across the country. There are concerns regarding border control and the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the events. Despite these potential issues, the tournament is seen as an opportunity to elevate the sport of soccer on a global scale and to boost national interest in the lead-up to 2026.

Several of the top international soccer players are competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Established stars such as Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), and Erling Haaland (Manchester City) have either participated or are expected to participate, while emerging talents may also leave their mark. Messi played in the opening match for Inter Miami CF against the Egyptian team Al Ahly SC, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was electric, with 60,927 spectators in attendance and a significant presence of global media. Notably, a few prominent players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, and Mohamed Salah, will not be participating in this tournament for various reasons.

As previously mentioned, the FIFA Club World Cup will now occur every four years. The current champions are Manchester City, who defeated Fluminense 4–0 in the 2023 final match. This year, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich are considered leading contenders to win the tournament. There has already been history made. In their debut, Bayern Munich defeated Auckland City 10-0 in a clear mismatch game in Group C, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament’s history. The victory included a hat-trick by Jamal Musiala, along with brilliant play from Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, and Thomas Müller. Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain defeated Atlético Madrid 4-0 in another impressive opening game performance.

There is always risk with strategic leadership decisions. Auckland City’s significant defeat may signal detractors and resistance to the new 32-team format. However, as competition intensifies, FIFA hopes that this new format will help them achieve the vision outlined in its 2020 Annual Report, which emphasizes global expansion and inclusion. With a total of 63 matches scheduled over 29 days, this tournament promises to showcase exciting games and unforgettable moments.