FIFA Club World Cup Begins US with 32 Teams, Global Players

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States with an expanded format featuring 32 teams, showcases a diverse group of players from around the globe, including five notable Nigerian footballers representing top clubs such as Espérance de Tunis, FC Porto, and Al Ain FC. The Seattle Sounders, qualifying as 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup winners, will be the only MLS team with a trophy entering the tournament, joined by Inter Miami CF and LAFC; Seattle will play all group matches at home and is involved in ongoing negotiations over Club World Cup prize money with MLS. Central America is represented by four players, including Nathan Ordaz and Matthew Evans of LAFC, David Ruíz of Inter Miami, and Alex Roldán of Seattle Sounders, highlighting the region's growing presence on the global stage. Players with ties to Washington state, including several Seattle Sounders members, will also compete, with multiple matches scheduled at Lumen Field in Seattle. The tournament runs from June 14 to July 13, culminating in a final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with all matches available for streaming on DAZN. This event marks a significant global celebration of club football with increased continental representation and local fan engagement across multiple U.S. cities.