The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first ever co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Featuring 48 teams, the tournament aims to expand global reach and raise the level of competition. Matches in iconic North American cities will create a landmark event for fans, players, and sponsors.
This year’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup serves as an exciting precursor, offering a preview of the energy and global attention that the World Cup will bring.
Quick Highlights:
- FIFA Club World Cup expanded to 32 clubs from 5 global federations (AFC, CAF, Concacaf, OFC, UEFA).
- There is a $1 billion total prize pool, with $125 million awarded to the champion.
- FIFA projects a combined $47 billion economic impact, 290,000 new U.S. jobs, and $62 billion in global GDP growth from the Club World Cup and upcoming World Cup cycles.
- Each host city will receive $1 million in FIFA “legacy contributions” for local soccer development.
- DAZN acquired the global streaming rights for the 2025 Club World Cup tournament, worth a reported $1 billion.
About the Tournament
The FIFA Club World Cup has been a fixture on the international stage for years. Founded in 2000 as an annual competition, it ran every year until 2023 (except for a break from 2001–2004), bringing together the best clubs from around the world. FIFA initially hoped the tournament would rival the success of the UEFA Champions League.
Over time, the tournament faced challenges in gaining global recognition, competing against established leagues and continental championships. Still, its ability to bring together top-tier clubs from diverse regions earned it prestige among football fans.
After the 2023 edition concluded, FIFA announced that the Club World Cup would become a quadrennial event (held every four years) starting in 2025.
What to Expect This Year
The 2025 edition will feature 32 teams from five federations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). Eight groups of four teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages. The tournament has a $1 billion prize pool.
FIFA will debut body cameras for referees and enforce stricter penalties for goalkeepers wasting time. A total of 117 match officials—35 referees, 58 assistant referees, and 24 video match officials—from 41 member associations will oversee matches, including two from the Premier League. FIFA hopes that a diverse and highly reputable officiating pool will reduce referee controversy, an issue that marred the 2024 Copa America.
FIFA Club World Cup’s Community Impact
Local communities and cities like Atlanta are already reaping the benefits of the tournament. Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that FIFA would be donating $1 million towards the sport’s development in the Atlanta community.
Infantino said, “it’s important to support a city’s social life—maybe with mini soccer pitches for kids where they’re needed most. That ball isn’t just a sports tool; it’s a source of joy and happiness.”
Where Brands Can Win
The Club World Cup has presented numerous branding opportunities, including the trophy itself. This year’s 24-karat gold trophy is custom-made by world-renowned jeweler, Tiffany & Co. The brand took to Instagram to unveil the collaboration, calling it “a proud symbol of [their] long-standing commitment to sporting excellence.”
Other sports properties are finding ways to align themselves with the tournament. The Philadelphia Eagles brought some international flair to Lincoln Financial Field, inviting FIFA to show off the Club World Cup trophy next to the Lombardi. Eight Club World Cup matches will kick off there later this year.
More U.S. cities and sports organizations like Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles are building partnerships around the Club World Cup, using the tournament’s momentum to create marketing activations tied to global soccer.
The tournament also creates momentum for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in the United States. FIFA’s president has already teased Atlanta as a potential host city, reinforcing the America’s growing role in global soccer.
Soccer’s Growing Footprint in the U.S.
All Club World Cup host cities are set to receive $1 million from FIFA in legacy contributions to help grow soccer and build community pitches after the tournament ends.
FIFA’s legacy contributions to Club World Cup host cities are part of a bigger effort to invest in local soccer infrastructure. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the need for more accessible facilities in North America, calling it a key step toward growing the sport at the grassroots level.
FIFA Club World Cup’s Economic Impact
The winning team will walk away with $125 million of the $1 billion prize pool. That kind of payout is enough to lure the world’s biggest clubs away from traditional pre-season tournaments, which have been especially lucrative for European teams.
FIFA projects that the Club World Cup combined with the World Cup in 2026 will have an economic impact of $47 billion, create 290,000 new jobs within the United States, and $62 billion in gross domestic product globally over the next two summers.
The Future of Global Sports Partnerships
The economic impact of the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup shows the growing value of global sporting events for cities, industries, and brands. As new opportunities open across emerging sports markets, brands that move early will be best positioned to win.
At Athelo Group, we help brands seize these opportunities by building strategic partnerships across new and growing sports properties worldwide. As momentum around the global game continues to build, the possibilities for brands willing to invest early have never been greater.