The expanded FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in just 100 days, with 32 teams heading to the United States from June 14. For the first time ever, this club tournament will mirror the format of the World Cup we all know and love.
There's a whopping $1 billion (£775m) prize pot up for grabs. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised that "all revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs and via club solidarity across the world."
But not everyone's thrilled. Player unions have threatened legal action over the increased workload on already-busy stars. Fans aren't happy about the sky-high ticket prices either.
What Top Clubs Really Think
Chelsea are all-in on this tournament. They even replaced Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca partly with the Club World Cup in mind. The Blues are recalling loaned players like João Felix for the tournament and see it as a genuine shot at silverware.
Real Madrid have mixed feelings. While the board supports participation, president Florentino Perez and coach Carlo Ancelotti have voiced concerns about the packed calendar. Still, with potential earnings of €100 million (£84m) if they win, Madrid can't ignore the financial upside.
Bayern Munich are excited to connect with their American fanbase. However, they're worried about games scheduled for 3am German time and the expensive tickets that price out their loyal supporters back home.
For Atletico Madrid, qualifying ahead of Barcelona was a point of pride. Their €200 million summer spending spree (including €75m for Julian Alvarez) was partly made with this tournament in mind.
Inter Miami see this as their global coming-out party. Owner Jorge Mas wants to "make it out of the group stage and compete," while Lionel Messi believes the tournament will help MLS "continue maturing" on the world stage.
African and South American Ambitions
South American teams are buzzing with excitement. Fluminense, despite losing 4-0 to Manchester City in last year's final, can't wait to test themselves against European giants again. Botafogo owner John Textor sees it as a chance to "reestablish our reputation among the world's greatest clubs."
For African teams, it's about proving themselves. Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams hopes the tournament will help African players realize "the gap isn't quite as big as it seems." Wydad Casablanca view the $50 million participation fee as a game-changer for their finances.
Al Ahly are particularly thrilled about opening the tournament against Inter Miami. The Egyptian powerhouse sees this as a chance to showcase their talents on a global stage.
For bettors, this tournament offers fresh opportunities. With teams from different continents rarely meeting in competitive matches, unique betting value might emerge from these unfamiliar matchups. The varying motivations of clubs could also create interesting wagering scenarios.
Whether this expanded format becomes a beloved fixture or faces backlash over player welfare concerns remains to be seen. But with a billion-dollar prize fund and global superstars converging on American soil, the 2025 Club World Cup promises to be a fascinating spectacle.
