The countdown for the revamped Fifa Club World Cup this summer has officially begun.
The tournament was first contested in 2000 as the Fifa Club World Championship. However, it was not held from 2001 to 2004 due to various factors, primarily the collapse of the world governing body’s marketing partner, International Sport and Leisure (ISL).
The competition returned in 2005 as an annual event and continued until 2023. In this format, only the six reigning continental champions participated, with representatives from CONMEBOL and UEFA receiving byes to the semi-finals.
After the 2023 edition, the tournament was restructured into a quadrennial competition featuring 32 teams, which will begin in 2025. The prestige and stature of the cup have been the subject of considerable debate.
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When is 2025 Fifa Club World Cup?
The 2025 Fifa Club World Cup, the 21st edition, will take place from 14th July to 31st July, featuring 63 matches.
Where is 2025 Fifa Club World Cup taking place?
The United States are staging the Fifa Club World Cup for the first time, with Inter Miami as the host team. Games will take place in 12 venues across 11 cities, with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 2025 Fifa Club World Cup will be staged in the following United States cities and stadiums (capacity):
- Pasadena, California – Rose Bowl (88,500)
- East Rutherford, New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (82,500)
- Charlotte, North Carolina – Bank of America Stadium (75,000)
- Atlanta, Georgia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (75,000)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Lincoln Financial Field (69,000)
- Seattle, Washington – Lumen Field (69,000)
- Miami Gardens, Florida – Hard Rock Stadium (65,000)
- Orlando, Florida – Camping World Stadium (65,000)
- Orlando, Florida – Inter&Co Stadium (25,000)
- Nashville, Tennessee – Geodis Park (30,000)
- Cincinnati, Ohio – TQL Stadium (26,000)
- Washington D.C. – Audi Field (20,000)
How to watch 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in the UK?
Twenty-three of the 63 matches will be shown in the UK on Channel 5 and DAZN—15 group games, four last-16 ties, two quarter-finals, one semi-final, and the final. The remaining 40 games will be shown exclusively by DAZN, which has committed to making every match in the new expanded tournament available for free-to-air globally via its app.
The Guardian previously reported that the BBC and ITV had opted not to bid because their main focus on football would be their joint coverage of England’s defence of the Women’s European Championship. Channel 5 beat Channel 4 to secure an agreement with DAZN, brokered by Lee Sears, Paramount’s president of international advertising sales.
- 2025 Fifa Club World Cup: Dates, Kick-off Times and Odds
- What teams have qualified and how does the tournament work?
“We’re delighted to be able to have agreed this fantastic partnership with Dazn to expand free-to-air coverage of the Fifa Club World Cup, live on 5,” Sears told the Guardian. “It’s going to be one of the sporting events of the summer with most of the matches played in the evening peak time and 32 of the world’s biggest clubs involved.” Sears said the ambition was to offer viewers and advertisers “even more [sport] in the months to come”.
The Club World Cup, including Chelsea and Manchester City, will be the highest-profile sporting event televised by Channel 5.
Channel 5 will air DAZN’s coverage and promote DAZN’s brand, rather than using its own staff.