FIFA has confirmed a record $1 billion in total prize money for the 32 teams participating in the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup set to take place in the United States this summer. The announcement, made just over three months before the opening match in Miami, follows the finalization of a broadcast deal with streaming service DAZN, backed by Saudi Arabian investment.
Massive Prize Pool for Participating Clubs
Clubs, particularly those in Europe, had sought guarantees that they would receive tens of millions of dollars in compensation for their participation in the month-long tournament. FIFA, however, has not yet provided details regarding the exact prize money distribution.
The first edition of the four-yearly Club World Cup will generate $2 billion in total revenue, according to FIFA’s financial report for 2024. This revenue includes funding payments known as solidarity payments for teams that qualified for the competition. Ticket and hospitality sales are expected to contribute approximately $500 million from the 63 matches played across 12 cities in the United States.
Teams and Qualification Criteria
The tournament features 12 European clubs, including football powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. Clubs earned their spots through winning continental titles or consistent performances over a four-year period through 2024. In a notable decision, FIFA granted Inter Miami and Lionel Messi an automatic host-nation entry based on their record in Major League Soccer’s regular season.
Financial Impact of the Club World Cup
The Club World Cup’s revenue boost is expected to help FIFA reach its targeted four-year income of $13 billion through the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA traditionally records most of its sponsorship and broadcast revenue in the year of a tournament, with full financial details expected in a report to be published in early 2027.
FIFA President’s Salary and Transparency Reforms
FIFA also disclosed the salary of its president, Gianni Infantino, as part of ongoing transparency reforms. In 2024, Infantino received a base salary of 2.6 million Swiss francs ($2.92 million), representing a raise of 140,000 Swiss francs ($157,000) from the previous year. His annual bonus remained unchanged at 1.65 million Swiss francs ($1.85 million), bringing his total compensation to 4.25 million Swiss francs ($4.77 million).
Broadcasting and Media Rights
TNT Sports will broadcast 24 of the tournament’s 63 matches on TNT, TBS, and truTV under a new agreement with DAZN, which secured worldwide rights from FIFA in December. TNT Sports, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, aims to bring the expanded Club World Cup to a wider audience across multiple platforms.
Tournament Schedule and Player Availability
The tournament will be held from June 14 to July 13, 2025, across various U.S. cities. FIFA has prioritized club participation, meaning clubs will have first rights to players over national teams. This decision directly impacts the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is scheduled to run from June 14 to July 6, potentially creating conflicts for some international players.
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Conclusion
With a historic $1 billion prize pool, an expanded 32-team format, and significant broadcast partnerships, FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is set to make a major impact on the global football landscape. As the tournament approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a landmark event in the sport’s history.
