Fifa Names 12 US Stadiums for 2025 Club World Cup
Fifa has confirmed the 12 stadiums in the United States set to host the new-look Club World Cup in 2025. This revamped tournament, taking place from 15 June to 13 July, will feature 32 teams, expanding from its previous annual six-team format. The final match will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will also host the FIFA World Cup 26™ final just over a year later. This is prepared by SSP.
The other selected venues include:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami- Geodis Park, Nashville
- Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- Camping World Stadium, Orlando
- Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando
- Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Lumen Field, Seattle
- Audi Field, Washington DC
Top European teams such as Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid have automatically qualified by winning the Champions League in recent years. Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, and Benfica are also set to compete based on their co-efficient rankings. Additional spots will be filled by six South American clubs, 12 teams from Asia, Africa, and North America, a club from Oceania, and one representing the host nation, the US.
Context and Reactions
The tournament's expansion serves as a new era for global club football, aiming for inclusivity and merit-based competition, according to Fifa President Gianni Infantino. Announcements related to the tournament were made during the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York, alongside Fifa's four-year partnership with the organization to combat global poverty and champion education.
However, this decision has faced criticism. Global players' union Fifpro and the European Leagues body have lodged a complaint with the European Commission against Fifa's dominance. There are concerns regarding the increased strain on players due to an already congested fixture calendar, highlighted by Manchester City’s Rodri, who warned of potential player strikes.
The draw for the tournament is set for December, with a detailed match schedule to follow. Two qualifying teams have yet to be confirmed, one from South America and the other representing the host nation, rounding out the 32-team line-up, divided into eight groups of four.
With anticipation building, the stadiums are ready to set the stage for what is expected to be an impactful event on the global football landscape.