FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draws Excitement, Set for Controversial Launch in the US

ISLAMABAD: The highly anticipated inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is scheduled to begin next summer in the United States, marking a significant expansion of the tournament. The recent draw has set the stage for an exciting global competition, with major football clubs set to face off in a tournament that promises to captivate fans worldwide.

The competition will kick off on June 15, 2025, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team opening the tournament against Egyptian club Al Ahly. This marks the beginning of a month-long football spectacle, culminating in the final on July 13. The tournament will be held across 12 venues in the United States, which, along with Canada and Mexico, will also host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Group Stage Draw Highlights

Chelsea, the 2023 UEFA Champions League winners, have been drawn into Group D alongside Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Flamengo, and Mexican side Club Leon. The English club’s journey will begin with a clash against Club Leon, while fans will eagerly anticipate high-profile matchups, including Chelsea’s meeting with the Brazilian giants, Flamengo.

The tournament will feature eight groups, each consisting of four teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will include the last-16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. Notably, there will be no third-place play-off between the two losing semi-finalists.

Some of the other exciting groups include:

• Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
• Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
• Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
• Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
• Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns
• Group G: Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain, Juventus
• Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite the excitement, the tournament has faced significant controversy, particularly surrounding its host country and format. One of the most contentious points is FIFA’s decision to reserve a spot in the tournament for a club from the host nation, which was controversially granted to Inter Miami. Despite winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield during the regular season, the club did not advance to the MLS playoffs, which has led to criticism from fans and pundits alike.

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Furthermore, the tournament is being introduced in a new four-year cycle, a shift from the previous annual format which featured only seven teams. While this expansion has garnered attention, it has also raised questions about the impact on the traditional format of the Club World Cup and the fairness of the additional spots.

Legal Challenges Loom

In addition to the criticism over the format, the tournament is facing legal challenges, particularly in Europe, where players’ union FIFPRO has raised concerns about the tournament’s scheduling and its potential impact on player welfare. These ongoing disputes threaten to cloud the launch of what is supposed to be a landmark event in the football calendar.

FIFA’s Grand Vision and Trump’s Support

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been a major advocate for the expanded Club World Cup, seeing it as a way to elevate the global profile of club football. Infantino was present at the draw, where he unveiled the new, sparkling Club World Cup trophy, designed in collaboration with Tiffany & Co.

In a pre-recorded message played during the event, US President-elect Donald Trump expressed his strong support for the tournament, praising the growth of soccer in the United States. “Soccer is going through the roof,” Trump said, highlighting the upcoming 2026 World Cup and the rapid rise of the sport in America. Trump also complimented Infantino, calling him “a winner” and stating, “We’ve known each other a long time, and I’m so honoured to have this kind of a relationship.”

Tournament Format and Venues

The Club World Cup 2025 will take place across 12 iconic stadiums in the US, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. The format will mirror that of the FIFA World Cup, with a group stage followed by knockout rounds, ensuring that every match is critical for the teams involved.

Streaming platform DAZN has secured exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament, which will see 63 matches played over 29 days. Fans across the globe will be able to tune in to witness top clubs from Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and North America compete for the prestigious title.