From Small Tournament to Global Giant: How FIFA's Club World Cup Got Super-Sized

In the past, there were just seven teams that competed in the FIFA Club World Cup annually. Despite being champions from various continents, the format seemed constrained. In comparison to larger competitions like the UEFA Champions League, it was a brief event with only a few matches, and many spectators hardly paid attention.

Everything is different now. 32 teams from around the globe will compete in the FIFA Club World Cup beginning in 2025. Like the FIFA World Cup, it will now happen every four years rather than annually. Clubs can earn a spot if they place among the top teams in the world or win significant tournaments in their areas.

The new format will feature a group stage with eight groups of four teams. After they play their 3 games in their group, the top 2 teams will move on to knockout rounds: Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final. Matches will be played across 12 stadiums in the United States, with the final being played in The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The prize money has grown massively too, with a total pool of $1 billion. The winning team can earn up to $125 million and gets to wear a special champion badge until the next tournament. FIFA wants this new version to be a global celebration of club football, giving fans and players a bigger stage.

This change makes the tournament more exciting, more inclusive, and more meaningful. Fans will get to see clubs from every continent compete in a month-long event that feels much more like the main World Cup. It’s a huge step forward for international club football, and it could change the way we see global competition for years to come.