The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Hit or Miss?
With a bold new format, high expectations, and global attention, the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 aimed to reshape summer football. But did it live up to the hype? Here’s a balanced look at whether FIFA’s ambitious tournament was a blockbuster success or a bloated misfire.
The Wins: What Worked
1. Summer Showstopper
With club football on pause, the Club World Cup filled the June–July void with competitive, big-name clashes. Across 63 matches, fans witnessed 195 goals, including some unforgettable moments. One of those moments came in just the second game of the tournament, when Bayern Munich destroyed Auckland City 10–0.
Later, Al-Hilal knocked out Manchester City in a thrilling 4–3, while PSG delivered a dominant run, beating Bayern, Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid with a combined goal difference of 10–0. Matches like these left a lasting impression on football fans.
The final had its own surprises. Chelsea’s unexpected but well-deserved 3–0 win over Champions League holders PSG, in front of 81,000 fans, brought genuine excitement to an otherwise quiet summer on the football calendar.
2. Rehearsal for 2026 World Cup
The tournament doubled as a test run for the 2026 World Cup. From stadium logistics to heat management, media workflows to fan zones, FIFA gathered crucial insights into how the U.S. will handle the world’s biggest sporting event. For fans tuning in from their living rooms, the Club World Cup served as a teaser for the 2026 World Cup.
3. Big Business for Clubs and FIFA
With reported revenues topping $2 billion, the tournament certainly paid off commercially. Seven teams earned over $50 million, with Chelsea, as winners, taking home an impressive $114.6 million, while PSG, the runners-up, received $106.9 million. Such payouts not only rewarded participation but also helped ease concerns around fixture congestion. At least from a financial standpoint.
Check out our breakdown of the Top 10 Most Valuable Clubs at the Club World Cup — and see who truly cashed in this summer.
The Misses: What Fell Flat
1. Player Fatigue & Safety Concerns
Temperatures soared above 30°C, and match intensity took a toll. Cases like Enzo Fernández’s dizziness and Musiala’s injury sparked criticism about scheduling and player welfare. Player unions, including FIFPRO and UNFP, described the event as a “game of massacre”. While keeping fans entertained is a major part of today’s sports world, the health and well-being of athletes should always come first.
2. Empty Seats, Credibility Takes a Hit
Despite a few packed matches, many games, especially group-stage fixtures, drew as few as 3,000 attendees. Trying to cover up, FIFA was accused of inflating attendance numbers and using Photoshopped marketing assets. Glitzy pre-match shows, boxing-style introductions, and even Donald Trump’s appearance gave the event strong media coverage.
But it also left many fans feeling it lacked authenticity. Critics like Jürgen Klopp labelled the expansion “pointless,” warning it could damage not only players’ physical health but the football’s integrity.
3. Timing & Broadcast Blues
Due to U.S. time zones, matches aired at inconvenient hours for European viewers. While DAZN held streaming rights, major broadcasters in the UK and beyond showed limited interest, reflecting lukewarm viewer demand. It will be interesting to see how this compares to next year’s World Cup.
Final Take
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup offered thrilling matches and serious money, successfully filling the summer entertainment gap and serving as a strategic trial for 2026. But it also exposed flaws in execution, particularly around player safety, fan culture, and authenticity.
Was it a win? Financially and logistically, yes.
But did it win hearts? That remains a work in progress.
As FIFA eyes future editions, the challenge is clear: protect the players, respect the game’s cultural roots, and refine the formula to win back the trust of fans around the globe.
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