CLUB WORLD CUP
Club World Cup marks ‘new era’ for football, says FIFA chief Gianni Infantino
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the Club World Cup kicks off this weekend. He states it marks a historic “new era” for the game. Infantino compares it to the first World Cup held in 1930.
In an interview with AFP, Infantino also took aim at critics of FIFA’s ticketing policy. He said that sceptics who had questioned the need for the tournament would quickly change their minds.
The 32-team competition includes clubs from all continents. It gets underway with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14.
“It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup, right, started,” Infantino told AFP.
“Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That’s why it’s also, this World Cup here is historic.”
FIFA president Infantino highlighted that the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay featured only European and South American teams, contrasting this with the Club World Cup’s mission to provide clubs from non-traditional football regions a platform to compete on the global stage
“We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world,” he said.
“It’s really about globalising football – making it truly worldwide. We call it the world’s number one sport. It is. However, when you look deeper, the elite level is concentrated among very few clubs in very few countries,” he said.
The Swiss official was general secretary of European body UEFA before taking the helm at FIFA in 2016. He said that the club tournament also offered chances to players from over 80 countries.
“Countries who would never have a chance to play in a World Cup are suddenly part of a World Cup and they feel to be part of it, the fans of these players and of these clubs,” added Infantino, who noted several great players of the past who never played in a World Cup,
“A very good friend of mine is George Weah… former legend, great player, Ballon d’Or winner, only African player who ever won the Ballon d’Or, by the way.
“He never played in a World Cup. He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club and also his country proud,” he added.
Infantino dismissed concerns that the tournament added to fixture congestion but acknowledged that some fans were yet to be sure of the value of the tournament, saying, though, that it would quickly change.
“I believe, I’m convinced that, you know, as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realise what is happening here. It’s something special,” he said.
Reports of low uptake of tickets for same games has led to criticism of FIFA’s ticketing policy with “dynamic pricing”, increasingly common in the United States, allowing for prices to rise and fall according to demand.
But Infantino defended the approach and the decision to offer heavy discounts to students in Miami.
“When I was a student and I didn’t have money, I would have loved FIFA to come to me and say, you want to come and watch a World Cup match?”
“We don’t want to see empty stadiums. I believe the stadiums will be pretty full,” he said.
The FIFA president said that the tournament, which secured a global broadcasting deal with DAZN reported to be worth US$1 billion, was already an economic success and stressed that all the money generated from commercial deals would be ploughed back into the game.
Asked how he would judge whether the tournament had been a success, Infantino said he would feel it in his “heart” but said he was confident.
“In terms of inclusivity, in terms of economy, in terms of fan interest, you take all of these criteria, we’ll speak again at the end of the Club World Cup, but already now, I (feel positive), when I look at the number of tickets sold, and I look at the TV rights,” he said, noting that the games were available on DAZN’s streams for free.
“Tell me one top competition today, where you can watch football for free?“ he asked.
The Club World Cup has also been caught up in the fierce debates over immigration control in the US, with games being held near Los Angeles, scenes of violent clashes between protestors and immigration officers.
But Infantino said security is always a top priority, and they are monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with the authorities.
-AFP
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
CLUB WORLD CUP
Stars Align as 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Welcomes More World Cup winners than ever before
It will be the biggest assembly of players who have won the World Cup. That is the setting for the Club World Cup, which kicks off this weekend.
The world of football is set to witness history. The inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ kicks off on Saturday, 14 June.
It will bring together a dazzling array of international talent. The tournament features 32 of the world’s top club teams. It spans 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 host cities throughout the United States.
Among the standout figures are 26 FIFA World Cup™ winners, representing the tournament’s most decorated era. Players from four different world champion nations are included. They are Argentina, France, Germany, and Spain.
These players have already conquered the globe at the national level. Now, they seek club supremacy.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina squad is heavily featured, with 13 players. This includes global icon Lionel Messi. He is expected to lead Inter Miami CF in the opening match against Egypt’s Al Ahly FC in Miami.
France’s 2018 champions are also well-represented, including superstar Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid C.F., and veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, now with Los Angeles FC.
European champions Paris Saint-Germain add French firepower with Ousmane Dembélé, Lucas Hernandez, and Presnel Kimpembe. They are fresh off their continental triumph just weeks ago.
In a tournament designed to showcase global inclusion, players from 81 different countries will feature. This makes it the most internationally representative club competition in football history.
Participating clubs initially named squads of 26 to 35 players. Between 1–10 June, a special transfer window allowed for last-minute reinforcements. 58 new players were registered during that period at a combined transfer value of USD 480.4 million, highlighting the competition’s prestige and ambition.
To ensure maximum flexibility, FIFA has also allowed a limited in-tournament transfer window from 27 June to 3 July, allowing for player additions and replacements under strict guidelines, especially for those whose contracts are set to expire.
As the world watches, the 2025 edition promises to deliver a football spectacle. It also heralds a new era in global club competition. With footballing royalty descending on American soil, the race to crown the first true world club champion begins.
- FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ squad lists contain more FIFA World Cup™ winners than squads who competed in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments
- The last four world champion nations are represented among the 32 participating clubs, including 13 of Argentina’s 2022-winning squad
- Players representing 81 countries will feature in the most inclusive global club tournament ever, which kicks off on Saturday, 14 June
The 32 participating clubs have submitted their squad lists for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and are headlined by some of the greatest players to have competed on the global stage over the last two decades, including 26 FIFA World Cup™ winners.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ squad lists
The new FIFA Club World Cup will see the world’s top 32 club teams compete to be crowned the first true global club world champions across 63 games in 12 venues and 11 Host Cities in the United States (US) – Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C..
No fewer than 13 of the Argentina squad that lifted international football’s biggest prize in Qatar in 2022 will feature, led by Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi, who is likely to feature in the opening game against Al Ahly FC on Saturday 14 June. There are nine of France’s victorious 2018 vintage, including Real Madrid C. F. star Kylian Mbappé and Les Bleus’ then-captain Hugo Lloris of Los Angeles Football Club. Another three, Ousmane Dembélé, Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe, come to the US as European club champions having claimed that title late last month with Paris Saint-Germain.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxR7eoo22G/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=987&rd=https%3A%2F%2Finside.fifa.com&rp=%2Forganisation%2Fmedia-releases%2Fworld-cup-winners-fcwc25-usa-lionel-messi-neuer-griezmann%3Frequester%3DMediaHub#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A3448011.1000000015%2C%22ls%22%3A2145.89999999851%2C%22le%22%3A2280.7000000029802%7D
“The list of participants at the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is a true reflection of a tournament that will be the most competitive and inclusive of global football, bringing together the best talents from every continent to decide the true FIFA world club champion,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We have 26 players who will be seeking to be among the first group of stars to raise two World Cups: the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. That is history in the making. Also, with 81 countries represented, the FIFA Club World Cup is helping to make football truly global. The tournament will be the dream of every fan, a month-long football feast.”
Spanish side Atlético de Madrid boast the most FIFA World Cup winners with six while Argentinian giants CA River Plate are next-best with four. The past four world champion nations will each be represented as FC Bayern München’s Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer were in the Germany squad that won in Brazil in 2014, while Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets and CF Monterrey’s Sergio Ramos were part of the Spain side that triumphed in South Africa in 2010 alongside Real Madrid CF’s new coach Xabi Alonso.
Impressively, nine of the 11 Host Cities will host at least one group-stage game potentially featuring a FIFA World Cup winner, giving the entire fanbase across the US the opportunity to watch the world’s greatest players in person.
Highlighting the global nature of the tournament, the FIFA Club World Cup will see players from all six confederations and 81 countries participating in the tournament, including 22 nations that have never before played in a FIFA World Cup.
Participating clubs were able to name an initial squad of between 26 and 35 players for the new competition with most having reinforced their squad during the extraordinary transfer window that was open from 1 to 10 June. In a flurry of activity, 58 new players were registered for a total value of USD 480.4 million, emphasising the ambitions of clubs as they head into the new global showpiece.
In line with the applicable regulations, there is the potential for participating clubs to replace and add players during a restricted in-competition period from 27 June to 3 July 2025 within a set limit and according to specific limitations. The objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation. This will ensure the best players will be playing, while allowing clubs to add new recruits even during the tournament.
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, is the exclusive global broadcaster of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, making every match of the tournament available for free to fans anywhere in the world.
Watch every game for free on DAZN.com
Match tickets are available at FIFA.com/tickets.
FIFA World Cup winners named in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 squads
| Name | National team | Year | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcos Acuña | Argentina | 2022 | CA River Plate |
| Julián Alvarez | Argentina | 2022 | Atlético de Madrid |
| Franco Armani | Argentina | 2022 | CA River Plate |
| Sergio Busquets | Spain | 2010 | Inter Miami CF |
| Ángel Correa | Argentina | 2022 | Atlético de Madrid |
| Ousmane Dembélé | France | 2018 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Rodrigo De Paul | Argentina | 2022 | Atlético de Madrid |
| Ángel Di María | Argentina | 2022 | SL Benfica |
| Enzo Fernández | Argentina | 2022 | Chelsea FC |
| Olivier Giroud | France | 2018 | Los Angeles Football Club |
| Antoine Griezmann | France | 2018 | Atlético de Madrid |
| Lucas Hernandez | France | 2018 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Presnel Kimpembe | France | 2018 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Thomas Lemar | France | 2018 | Atlético de Madrid |
| Hugo Lloris | France | 2018 | Los Angeles Football Club |
| Lautaro Martínez | Argentina | 2022 | FC Internazionale Milano |
| Kylian Mbappé | France | 2018 | Real Madrid C. F. |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 2022 | Inter Miami CF |
| Nahuel Molina | Argentina | 2022 | Atlético de Madrid |
| Gonzalo Montiel | Argentina | 2022 | CA River Plate |
| Thomas Müller | Germany | 2014 | FC Bayern München |
| Manuel Neuer | Germany | 2014 | FC Bayern München |
| Nicolas Otamendi | Argentina | 2022 | SL Benfica |
| Benjamin Pavard | France | 2018 | FC Internazionale Milano |
| Germán Pezzella | Argentina | 2022 | CA River Plate |
| Sergio Ramos | Spain | 2010 | CF Monterrey |
Nationality of players at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
| Country | Number of players |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 141 |
| Argentina | 103 |
| Spain | 54 |
| Portugal | 49 |
| Mexico | 41 |
| USA | 40 |
| France | 37 |
| Germany | 36 |
| Italy | 36 |
| Morocco | 31 |
| South Africa | 31 |
| Japan | 29 |
| Korea Republic | 27 |
| England | 25 |
| Saudi Arabia | 25 |
| Tunisia | 25 |
| Uruguay | 24 |
| Egypt | 23 |
| New Zealand | 23 |
| Colombia | 14 |
| Austria | 13 |
| Sweden | 9 |
| Belgium | 8 |
| Mali | 8 |
| Netherlands | 8 |
| Norway | 8 |
| United Arab Emirates | 8 |
| Chile | 6 |
| Paraguay | 6 |
| Türkiye | 6 |
| Venezuela | 6 |
| Croatia | 5 |
| Ecuador | 5 |
| Nigeria | 5 |
| Serbia | 5 |
| Switzerland | 5 |
| Algeria | 4 |
| Denmark | 4 |
| Poland | 4 |
| Canada | 3 |
| Ghana | 3 |
| Greece | 3 |
| Senegal | 3 |
| Slovenia | 3 |
| Ukraine | 3 |
| Albania | 2 |
| Angola | 2 |
| Cameroon | 2 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 2 |
| El Salvador | 2 |
| Israel | 2 |
| Luxembourg | 2 |
| Armenia | 1 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 |
| Burkina Faso | 1 |
| China PR | 1 |
| Congo | 1 |
| Dominican Republic | 1 |
| Gabon | 1 |
| Georgia | 1 |
| Guatemala | 1 |
| Guinea | 1 |
| Guyana | 1 |
| Haiti | 1 |
| Honduras | 1 |
| IR Iran | 1 |
| Jamaica | 1 |
| Montenegro | 1 |
| Mozambique | 1 |
| Namibia | 1 |
| Palestine | 1 |
| Peru | 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | 1 |
| Russia | 1 |
| Slovakia | 1 |
| Syria | 1 |
| Tanzania | 1 |
| Togo | 1 |
| Uganda | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 |
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
FIFA refereeing officials said on June 11 that referees at the FIFA Club World Cup will wear “body cams”, and the footage will be used in broadcasts of the game—but only if the images are of non-controversial incidents.
The match referees in the tournament will wear a small camera protruding from their earpiece, which will be able to generate video from the referee’s point of view.
But while broadcasters will be able to offer unique angles on goals and saves, as well as close-up live video and sound from the pre-match coin toss, viewers will not be able to see penalty decisions or other disputable moments from the new camera angle.
“The objective is to offer the TV viewers a new experience,” said Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.
Collina said that IFAB, which sets the laws of the game, had allowed a trial of the technology and suggested that footage of controversies might be part of a later phase in the future.
“Let’s do things step by step. At the moment… this is a trial. We need to do something new, and the simpler the better. So we fixed some rules within a protocol. We will offer these images in the future? Maybe when we learn to run, maybe not, maybe we will do,” he said.
The live images will be broadcast via a private 5G network from the ref to the match production team, said FIFA Director of Innovation, Johannes Holzmuller, who said the live aspect would only be available in the six NFL stadiums being used for the tournament.
What Club World Cup fans will be able to see are the VAR reviews, as seen by referees on the pitch side monitor, which will be broadcast on giant screens in the stadium.
That video will then be followed by the referee announcing the final decision over the public address system and the television broadcast.
The tournament will also see the use of “enhanced semi-automatic offside” technology which will use 16 cameras linked to AI technology and algorithms which will send an audio message to the assistant referee when an offside player touches the ball.
The system will likely see the flag raised earlier for offside and reduce cases of play continuing after a clear offside until a later VAR review.
The tournament will also be an early introduction of the new law that goalkeepers have eight seconds to release the ball after picking it up – or be punished with a corner.
It replaces the previous law that keepers had six seconds to release the ball or give up an indirect free-kick.
The goalkeepers will be shown a five-second warning by the referee who will count down, showing the fingers of one hand.
-AFP
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
FIFA’s inaugural expanded Club World Cup in the United States has US$1 billion of prize money on the line, but will be missing some of the game’s star names.
Here are five players who will not be lighting up stadiums across the United States once it gets underway this weekend.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool finished as English champions, but like Spain’s Barcelona and Italy’s Napoli, will not be at the Club World Cup, because of the convoluted qualification process.
That means Egyptian winger Salah, who broke the Premier League record for goal involvements, with 29 strikes and 18 assists, misses out.
After a tiring season in which he faded in the latter months, he might not be too upset about a summer off.
However, it will be a shame that African football icon Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and others miss out on the chance of a potential rematch against their Champions League conquerors, Paris Saint-Germain
Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz will also be absent, as his side Bayer Leverkusen did not qualify.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
No player in world football this season has offered more excitement than Barcelona’s 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal.
The Spain winger has been in sensational form for his club this season and is one of the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or.
His thrilling dribbling and penchant for the spectacular make him one of the biggest draws at the moment.
He is often compared to former Barcelona great Lionel Messi, but because of the Spanish champions’ absence, may have missed out on his only chance to face the Argentina star, who will be there with Inter Miami.
Barcelona’s Raphinha, midfield maestro Pedri and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski are others who will be missed.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Messi will also not go up against his long-time rival Ronaldo in the US.
The Portuguese striker, 40, was reported to be looking for a way to play in the tournament.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino had suggested Ronaldo might move from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr to a team who had reached the event, saying that “discussions” were being held over it.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who won the Nations League with Portugal last weekend, indicated after the game, however, he was set to stay at Al Nassr.
“Some teams reached out to me,” the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star revealed on the eve of the Nations League final.
“Some made sense and others did not, but you can’t try and do everything. You can’t catch every ball.”
4. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal are another team to miss out and after finishing the season trophyless, the Club World Cup would have been a chance to win some silverware.
England international Saka’s only club trophy, excluding the FA Community Shield, was an FA Cup win with Arsenal in 2020.
Mikel Arteta’s side showed this season they have improved to the point where they are in contention for major honours, including knocking out Real Madrid in the Champions League, but came up just short.
For a player of his quality, who has spent six seasons playing regularly at the top level, Saka could do with expanding his medal collection.
Arsenal will be disappointed to miss out on the prize money too, as they try to overhaul Liverpool and Manchester City, who have dominated the English game in recent seasons.
5. Neymar (Santos)
Brazilian icon Neymar struggled with injury at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and returned to Santos in January 2025, hoping to get fit and firing ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
The 33-year-old forward, despite fading with age, is still one of the biggest names in the game and his absence is also a blow in a commercial sense.
“Neymar, what can I say about him? He’s an outstanding player, who, for me, in my football cycle, is in the top three, with Cristiano and Messi,” said Brazil midfielder Casemiro.
With organisers struggling to sell tickets, Neymar’s presence would have been a boon.
–AFP
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Morocco Awards $320 Million Contract for Landmark 2030 World Cup Stadium
Club World Cup marks ‘new era’ for football, says FIFA chief Gianni Infantino
Stars Align as 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Welcomes More World Cup winners than ever before
- OBITUARY1 week ago
Yet another sports obituary as Nigerian Boxing Legend Obisia Nwankpa dies
- CLUB WORLD CUP6 days ago
Referee body cams and enhanced offside detection system tested at Club World Cup – FIFA
- Other Leagues6 days ago
Football rivalry gone too far: Argentine club Newell’s sanctions 9-year-olds over rival player photo
- UEFA Champions League1 week ago
TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free
- International Football3 days ago
Saka to feature in much-changed England team against Senegal
- International Football7 days ago
Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles are on a 5-match unbeaten run after 1-1 draw with Russia
- SPECIAL REPORT1 day ago
Thirty-two years after the June 12 saga, there is no one like MKO Abiola, Africa’s Only Pillar of Sports
- World Cup1 week ago
2030 FIFA World Cup: Morocco and UK Seal Strategic Partnership Agreement