FIFA will award a total of $1 billion in prize money for the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, a source close to negotiations revealed to AFP.
The expanded tournament will feature 32 teams and take place from June 14 to July 13, with matches held at 12 venues across 11 U.S. cities. The final will be at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is also set to host the 2026 World Cup final.
The prize money for the Club World Cup significantly surpasses the $440 million awarded at the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar and the $110 million for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
British streaming service DAZN secured exclusive global broadcasting rights for approximately €1 billion ($1.05 billion). Major sponsors include Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Hisense, and AB InBev.
The tournament will include 12 European teams, 6 from South America, and 4 each from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. Teams such as Auckland City and Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, will also compete.
However, FIFA’s tournament expansion has drawn criticism, particularly from European clubs and the FIFPro global players’ union, raising concerns about player welfare and the congested calendar.
Despite the concerns, some, including PSG coach Luis Enrique, are enthusiastic about the new format, describing it as an “extremely exciting competition” held only once every four years.