FIFA has announced an unprecedented $1 billion in total prize money for the 32 teams participating in the first expanded men’s Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States in 2025.
The landmark announcement, made on Wednesday, follows months of negotiations and the recent completion of a crucial broadcast deal with DAZN, a streaming service backed by Saudi Arabian investment.
This expanded version of the Club World Cup, which will be held every four years, marks a major shift in FIFA’s club competition format. The tournament, scheduled to kick off in Miami, promises to be a game-changer in both financial and sporting terms, with FIFA projecting total revenue of $2 billion. This includes an expected $500 million from ticket and hospitality sales across 63 matches in 12 cities throughout the U.S.
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The $1 billion prize pool is a significant increase compared to previous editions of the Club World Cup, which traditionally featured only seven teams and a much smaller prize purse. The new format includes 32 of the world’s top clubs, including European heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. Clubs from other continents, including South America, Africa, and Asia, will also participate, reflecting FIFA’s ambitions to create a true global club competition.
The financial structure of the prize money has not yet been disclosed, but clubs from Europe had previously pushed for assurances they could earn tens of millions of dollars by participating. The lack of specific details regarding the prize distribution has left clubs and analysts eager for clarity, particularly as teams plan their strategies and budgets for 2025.
This move is part of FIFA’s broader financial strategy to significantly boost its revenue streams. The organization’s financial report for 2024 indicates that the Club World Cup will contribute to a target of $13 billion in revenue over the 2023-2026 cycle. Much of FIFA’s income is traditionally booked in the year of major tournaments, meaning the Club World Cup’s financial impact will play a critical role in balancing the books ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will also be hosted in North America.
Expanding Financial Opportunities in Other Tournaments
FIFA’s announcement of the $1 billion prize pool is expected to set a precedent for other FIFA-organized tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and youth competitions. The organization has been under pressure to boost prize money across all its tournaments to match the growing financial landscape of global sports. During the 2023 Women’s World Cup, FIFA increased the prize pool to $110 million, a considerable jump from previous editions but still far below the men’s tournament. With the increased revenue from expanded tournaments and new broadcast deals, analysts expect that future women’s tournaments and youth competitions could also see significant financial uplifts.
Qualification and Participation Criteria
The teams competing in the 2025 Club World Cup qualified through either winning continental club championships or achieving consistent success in these tournaments from 2021 through 2024. FIFA also extended a host-nation spot to Inter Miami, highlighting the influence of Lionel Messi, who joined the club in 2023. The decision to include Inter Miami as a host nation entry, based on its record in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season, underscores FIFA’s strategy to maximize market appeal and fan engagement, particularly in the American market.
Impact on FIFA’s Financial Projections
The expanded Club World Cup is not only a flagship sporting event but also a financial linchpin for FIFA. The organization’s revenue model heavily depends on the success of its marquee tournaments, with most of its broadcast and sponsorship income realized during tournament years. FIFA’s financial health has been robust, with the organization reporting strong earnings in its 2024 financial report. The Club World Cup, with its projected $2 billion revenue, is set to play a significant role in sustaining this momentum.
The late announcement of a broadcast deal with DAZN highlighted the challenges FIFA faced in securing media rights for the new tournament. However, DAZN’s backing by Saudi Arabian investors comes with fresh excitement, although Saudi Arabia has been recording increasing influence in global sports. The Kingdom has been making significant strides through investments in football, including its involvement with the English Premier League and the LIV Golf series. The DAZN deal is expected to provide substantial revenue while also ensuring widespread viewership, particularly in Europe and Asia.
As part of its financial transparency measures, FIFA disclosed that its President, Gianni Infantino, received a basic salary of 2.6 million Swiss francs ($2.92 million) in 2024, a modest raise from the previous year. His total compensation, including a 1.65 million Swiss francs ($1.85 million) bonus, amounted to 4.25 million Swiss francs ($4.77 million).
Since Infantino’s election in 2016, FIFA has implemented reforms aimed at improving transparency, especially in the wake of corruption scandals that marred the organization’s reputation under former leadership.
Broader Expectations for Global Football
The 2025 Club World Cup is seen as a critical step in FIFA’s long-term strategy to reshape global club competitions. FIFA aims to elevate the status of the Club World Cup to rival established competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. The organization is betting on the financial and commercial success of this event to not only boost its own revenues but also to create new opportunities for clubs worldwide.
In addition to the prize money, FIFA’s approach to “solidarity payments” to clubs that did not qualify for the tournament signals an effort to support global football development. This mechanism is expected to provide financial relief and development opportunities to smaller clubs and leagues, aligning with FIFA’s mission to promote football’s growth beyond traditional powerhouses.