FIFA Unveils the Venues for the Club World Cup in New Jersey The FIFA Club World Cup is about to embark on a new chapter, with its first-ever expanded format set to take place in 2025. FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently announced that the final of this highly anticipated tournament will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This iconic venue, home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, is no stranger to major events and was previously selected as one of the host stadiums for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement underscores FIFA’s vision to bring global football to the forefront in North America, especially as the continent readies itself for hosting the World Cup.
FIFA Unveils the Venues for the Club World Cup in New Jersey
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks the first edition of an expanded tournament, increasing the number of participating teams from seven to 32. This format brings together clubs from all corners of the globe, with matches set to begin on June 15, 2025, and the final scheduled for July 13, 2025 at MetLife Stadium. This expansion aims to enhance the visibility of club football beyond Europe and South America, where powerhouse teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich traditionally dominate.
As part of this global celebration of club football, a total of 12 venues will host matches across the United States. While only two of these venues are located on the West Coast—Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, near Los Angeles, and Lumen Field in Seattle—the rest span the East Coast and Midwest. The host stadiums include:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
- Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte
- TQL Stadium in Cincinnati
- Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
- GEODIS Park in Nashville
- Camping World Stadium in Orlando
- Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando
- Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
- Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
The Draw and Qualification
The tournament draw will take place in December 2024, setting the stage for the showdown between the world’s top clubs. Currently, 30 of the 32 teams have already secured their spots through regional competitions. The FIFA Club World Cup will feature the champions from each of FIFA’s six continental confederations, which include Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, North America, and Oceania.
European teams, which are always a significant draw for global audiences, will be well-represented. Among the European participants, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich are set to compete, bringing their elite-level talent to the field. On the South American front, iconic clubs such as River Plate, Boca Juniors from Argentina, and Flamengo from Brazil will join the fray, highlighting the fierce competition from the CONMEBOL region.
A Platform for Global Inclusivity
Infantino emphasized the importance of this new, expanded tournament format as a way to foster inclusivity and showcase the best talent from around the globe. “This new FIFA competition is the only true example in worldwide club football of real solidarity and inclusivity,” Infantino noted. “It allows the best clubs from Africa, Asia, Central and North America, and Oceania to play the powerhouses of Europe and South America in an incredible new World Cup.”
By pitting clubs from less represented regions against perennial European and South American giants, FIFA hopes to elevate the global profile of club football, giving lesser-known teams a chance to shine on the world stage. This could also play a critical role in growing the sport, attracting new audiences, and nurturing football talent in regions outside of Europe and South America.
Partnership with Global Citizen
Beyond football, the FIFA Club World Cup will also serve as a platform for social good. During his announcement at the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park, Infantino revealed that FIFA had entered into a four-year partnership with Global Citizen. This collaboration is aimed at supporting anti-poverty initiatives, with Global Citizen set to produce the halftime show during the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This partnership underscores FIFA’s commitment to using the global stage not only to celebrate football but also to address important global challenges such as poverty. By linking one of the world’s most beloved sports with a global social movement, FIFA hopes to drive change beyond the football field.
A Test Run for 2026 World Cup
The expanded Club World Cup will be a litmus test for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the Club World Cup taking place in the United States, FIFA and local organizers will be closely watching how logistics, security, and crowd management are handled, particularly in light of recent issues at major football events. Earlier this year, crowd control problems marred Copa America matches in Charlotte and Miami, raising concerns about the capacity of U.S. stadiums to handle large, passionate football crowds.
Security will be a significant focus during the Club World Cup, especially given the potential for high-profile matches between global giants like Real Madrid and Boca Juniors. FIFA will need to ensure that fan safety and event management are prioritized to avoid any similar incidents at future tournaments.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the excitement surrounding the expanded tournament, FIFA has faced opposition from certain quarters within the football community. Both the FIFPro (the worldwide representative organization for professional footballers) and the European Leagues body have filed complaints with the European Commission regarding the inclusion of the Club World Cup in an already crowded international match calendar. Critics argue that this additional competition increases player workload and could lead to further player fatigue, given the congested schedules faced by top clubs.
In the past, the Club World Cup was a smaller event featuring only seven teams in a knockout format. The last edition was held in Saudi Arabia, where Manchester City emerged as champions after defeating Fluminense from Brazil in the final. With FIFA now planning to hold the expanded tournament every four years, questions remain about the long-term viability and scheduling of this new event.
Conclusion
As FIFA plans for the future, the focus will soon turn to where the next edition of the Club World Cup will be held. No host has yet been chosen for the 2029 edition, and FIFA will likely evaluate the success of the 2025 tournament before making a decision.
While the expanded Club World Cup brings with it some challenges, it also represents an opportunity for FIFA to further globalize club football. By providing clubs from less traditional footballing regions with a chance to compete against the giants of the sport, FIFA hopes to create a more inclusive and diverse football ecosystem.
With its star-studded lineup of clubs, iconic venues such as MetLife Stadium, and the promise of global impact, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be a landmark event in the world of football. As the tournament approaches, fans around the world eagerly await the chance to see their favorite clubs compete on the grandest stage in the sport.