By Marta Elena Casanova
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Kicking off this Sunday, June 15, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to be the most prestigious and lucrative club competition ever held. The tournament will take place in the United States and run until July 13. For the first time in history, 32 teams will participate, split into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 16, promising a long and thrilling tournament.
The contenders include the best clubs from the 2021–2024 period, grouped into four pots based on performance and achievements. Big names such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, PSG, Flamengo, and Palmeiras will compete for the title. Italy’s Inter and Juventus will feature in Pot 2 alongside Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund.
This tournament offers clubs global exposure and an unprecedented prize pool.
The prize money: staggering figures
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is not only the most prestigious club competition — it’s also the richest ever. The total prize pool exceeds $1 billion (around €930 million): an astonishing amount never seen before in a FIFA competition.
So, how is this fortune distributed? Half of the funds, about €488 million, are awarded as participation fees. Not every team gets the same amount — it depends on the continent they represent and their sporting and commercial strength.
The other half — just over €440 million — is based on sporting results: the more you win, the more you earn.
To give an idea: European clubs will earn between €12 and €36 million just for participating (the amount varies significantly between top-tier and lower-ranked teams). South American clubs are set to receive around €14 million, while African, Asian, and CONCACAF teams will earn about €9 million. Auckland City, representing Oceania, will receive €3.3 million.
Top clubs like Real Madrid or Manchester City could pocket up to €118 million if they win all their matches. Here’s how: €36 million for participation, €5.7 million for three group wins, €7 million for the round of 16, €12.2 million for the quarterfinals, €19.5 million for the semifinals, and €37.2 million for winning the final.
And the Italian clubs? Inter, ranked higher in UEFA standings, will earn about €24 million for participating. Juventus will receive between €18 and €20 million.
Prize money increases with each stage: €7 million for the round of 16, €12.2 million for the quarterfinals, nearly €20 million for the semifinals. If a team reaches the final and loses, it still earns €27.9 million; the champion takes home €37.2 million. Each group-stage win is worth almost €2 million, while a draw earns around €900,000.
In short, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 promises to deliver a unique mix of top-level football and record-breaking financial rewards — a combination that could reshape the future of many clubs.
Participating teams and format
The 32 teams will compete in a group stage followed by a knockout bracket. They are divided into four pots based on results between 2021 and 2024:
- Pot 1: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, Fluminense
- Pot 2: Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg
- Pot 3: Al-Hilal, Ulsan Hyundai, Al Ahly, Monterrey, Leon, Wydad Casablanca, Boca Juniors, Botafogo
- Pot 4: Urawa Red Diamonds, Al-Ain, ES Tunis, Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, Auckland City, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pachuca
Ticket Sales Flop: FIFA in Trouble
Despite the hype, the Club World Cup is experiencing a significant ticket sales flop. Even with stars like Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami, the opening match against Al Ahly in Miami has seen disappointing sales, with fewer than 20,000 tickets sold out of over 65,000 available seats. Initial prices, set at $349, were drastically slashed to $55.75 in an attempt to draw more spectators. FIFA introduced offers linked to the 2026 World Cup, promising perks for those who buy tickets to at least two Club World Cup matches; however, these promotions come with restrictions, such as the requirement to prove attendance at the purchased games. Moreover, fans who paid full price are now penalized, facing high cancellation fees to access the new discounted rates. This situation highlights questionable planning and a disconnect between FIFA’s expectations and the actual interest of the public.
By Marta Elena Casanova
