FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Begins in US with Top Clubs, $1B Prize

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the first expanded edition with 32 teams, is set to take place in the United States, running from June 14 to July 13. Juventus has announced a 28-player squad for the tournament, including key defenders and recovering players, despite some being sidelined with injuries. The tournament features some of the world's most valuable players, with a top eleven assembled from different clubs highlighting high market values, such as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. However, the event faces challenges including low ticket sales, empty stadium seats, and protests over player payment structures, with some clubs expressing dissatisfaction. Despite these issues, the competition is seen as a sign of growing soccer interest in the U.S., boosted by star signings in Major League Soccer and the upcoming 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. FIFA's substantial broadcasting rights deal with DAZN and investment by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund underline the financial stakes involved in the tournament.