Latest news with #TheClubWorldCup
Axios
3 days ago
- Sport
- Axios
What the FIFA Club World Cup taught Philly
The FIFA Club World Cup is in the rearview, but it will provide a road map for Philadelphia planners putting on next year's World Cup matches. Why it matters: The 2026 event is expected to have a roughly $770 million economic impact on Philly, attracting more than 500,000 attendees. The big picture: Lincoln Financial Field — which will be referred to as Philadelphia Stadium during the tourney — will host a total of six World Cup matches starting in June 2026: five group matches and one Round of 16. State of play: The recent Club World Cup gave Philly a taste of how different soccer fans and their cultures are from other sporting events the city has experienced, Meg Kane, host city executive, tells Axios. "It is not Eagles-Dallas, 4 o'clock in the afternoon on a cold winter's day," she said. Kane, who heads the organization tasked with planning and executing the World Cup in the city, wasn't involved in the operations for the Club World Cup. But she picked up several key lessons from the recent tournament. "It was a great real-time testing ground for us," Kane says. Here are Kane's big takeaways from the Club World Cup in Philly: 🎉 The fans The Club World Cup drew big international and domestic fan bases to the city over the course of eight matches, Kane said. Fan culture is loud, passionate and raucous, but also unique to each club. Case in point: Wydad fans set off flares and smoke bombs inside the Linc. Soccer fans also seem to prefer gathering in a single place — like LOVE Park — before marching to the arena together and remaining there from kickoff to the final whistle. 🚨 Security Updates to safety and security measures at the Linc will be needed. The goal is to thwart fans from sneaking in illegal items — like flares —but allow permitted items — like big drums — all while ensuring timely access into the stadium through security. 💰 Tourism Hotel occupancy in Center City was up 18% year over year during the Club World Cup, Kane said. There's also anecdotal evidence that bars and restaurants saw an uptick in business during the event, she said. The takeaway: Fans are likely to come, stay and spend money in the city — despite fears of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown among fans. 🚇 Infrastructure SEPTA was heavily used by fans to get to and from the stadium. Threat level: SEPTA is bracing for massive service cuts and fare hikes this year, which will depend on state funding. 💬 Language support Translators positioned around the stadium and potentially key points in Philly will be needed, Kane said. Next year's tourney will draw fans speaking many different languages, who will need help navigating the area. What's next: City officials, FIFA, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and others will debrief about the Club World Cup in the coming weeks.
Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Can Chelsea cause an upset in the Club World Cup Final against Paris Saint-Germain?
Here, we look at some talking points ahead of the game: The game The match itself is an appealing one, not least for the participation of PSG. It always seemed likely the big European teams would ultimately prevail in the latter stages of this tournament and, in the French side, the favourites have come through. Luis Enrique's side have been the outstanding force of the past year and, while not the ratings driver Real Madrid would be, organisers will be pleased for their involvement. Chelsea are more of a surprise and have been aided by a relatively kind draw but they have grown into the competition and have the individuals to cause an upset. What is at stake? Tournament organiser FIFA, the world governing body, and its president Gianni Infantino have done their best to attach considerable prestige to the tournament, the first to be played in this newly-expanded 32-format. Sunday's winners will not only be crowned world champions but be entitled to wear a gold badge on their shirts for the next four years. FIFA will doubtless emphasise this but there is also the small matter of a jackpot in excess of £90million on offer for the victor, which goes some way to explaining why competing clubs have taken the event so seriously. Both PSG and Chelsea are already guaranteed more than £80million. The occasion The Club World Cup, which now will be held every four years, has had plenty of detractors but FIFA is determined to make a success it. It wants to make the final a true showpiece occasion and to do this it is planning a star-studded Super Bowl-style half-time show to enhance the offering for a crowd it hopes will fill most of the MetLife Stadium's 82,500 seats. Adding to the occasion, United States president Donald Trump is due to attend. Weather The tournament in the United States has been bedevilled by a number of controversies concerning issues such as its scheduling in the calendar, poor attendances, venue choices, kick-off times, standard of pitches and the weather. The latter is again likely to be a factor on Sunday with the temperature forecast to be 29C by kick-off at 3pm local time, although that is somewhat cooler than a number of other games earlier in the tournament. The looming World Cup FIFA's determination to make a triumph of this event is underlined by the fact it is also partly a trial run for next year's World Cup. That is an even bigger tournament that will feature 48 teams playing across the whole North American continent, including Canada and Mexico, rather than just the US. The 2026 final will also be held at the MetLife Stadium and it will be hoped this weekend passes without major hiccup.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Matches, results and latest scores
Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami vs Al Ahly (Image via X/@InterMiamiCF & ChelseaFC) The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is the ultimate battleground where continental champions collide to claim the title of the world's best football club. In their own words, it is 'the new prime club competition organised by FIFA', bring together the most successful club sides from each of the six international confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA. One spot also goes to the host Nation's top club. The tournament showcases a unique blend of styles, tactics, and star power that captivates fans across the globe. The competition kicked off on June 15, as Inter Miami drew 0-0 to Egyptian Premier League side Al Ahly. Since its inception in 2000, the FIFA Club World Cup has grown in stature and continues to highlight the ever-expanding reach of football. In 2025, The Club World Cup has been expanded from seven teams to 32 and will emulate the men's and women's World Cups. Eight groups of four teams will play in a round robin mini league, with the top two advancing to a knockout stage, which runs from the round of 16 through to the final. As the tournament picks up pace, here's a look at all the results so far in the 32-team competition. Group stage · Matchday 1 of 3 Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami (Group A) Bayern Munich 10-0 Auckland City (Group C) Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atletico Madrid (Group B) Palmeiras 0-0 Porto (Group A) Botafogo 0-0 Seattle Sounders (Group B) Chelsea 2-0 LAFC (Group D) Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica (Group C) Flamengo 2-0 ES Tunis (Group D) A total of 48 games are set to be played in the group stages and 63 overall in the tournament. With several top teams across Europe in the competition, the competition is only set to go up a notch as it enters matchday 2 and 3 in the group stages. The making of Dhruv Jurel: Kargil war hero's son who chose cricket over the Army As things stand, Bayern Munich's 10-0 win over Auckland City is the biggest win of the tournament.
Fox Sports
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
The Club World Cup has faced pushback in Europe but FIFA is banking on its big bet
Associated Press The Club World Cup. A bold new era for the world's most popular sport — or a major inconvenience, shoe-horned into a soccer calendar that is already at saturation point? FIFA's newly expanded tournament kicks off June 14 in Miami against the backdrop of legal challenges in Europe, strike threats and repeated concerns over players' mental and physical welfare due to the increased number of games. There has been no shortage of pushback from Europe since the bumper new addition to soccer's landscape was announced in December 2023. Voices of dissent from the continent that will be sending the most teams to the tournament have continued virtually right up to its big launch. 'We want to protect football,' David Terrier, president of players' union FIFPRO Europe, said. 'It's a big problem and it's not just about the workload. The question is about the governance because the calendar is a consequence of the governance of football.' FIFA's big bet That sentiment is not shared universally. In many other parts of the world, there is a buzz of anticipation among fans about the opportunity of going up against the giants like Real Madrid in the biggest ever global tournament for clubs. The biggest sales of tickets outside of the United States have come from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico. The brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, soccer's world governing body is banking on its tournament rivaling the Champions League and Premier League in terms of status, wealth and popularity — describing it as its 'prime club competition.' Featuring 32 teams — expanded from seven — and staged in the U.S. through June and July, it will be played on a four-yearly basis. It means many top players face the prospect of offseason tournaments in three out of every four years going forward, with the Club World Cup sandwiched between the men's World Cup for national teams, the European Championship and Copa America. European doubts The lack of enthusiasm in Europe was striking when the new format was announced. 'I am not against new competitions, I am against the lack of time to recover year by year,' Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said. Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager and now head of global soccer for Red Bull, called it "useless" as recently as January. 'It means you have no summer break,' he said. "Who wins the tournament, wow, is the poorest winner ever because you have to play through the whole summer.' A legal complaint by FIFPRO Europe and the association of European Leagues fed into a general sense of negativity from the continent. Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish league, called for the Club World Cup to be withdrawn. Last year there were doubts whether Real Madrid — the most famous franchise in soccer — would even accept its invitation to play after then-coach Carlo Ancelotti reportedly suggested the record 15-time European champion would boycott over appearance money. Madrid soon confirmed it would be involved after all. Clubs are taking it seriously Despite the criticism, the tournament is backed by the European Club Association, which represents the majority of its top teams. And those participating are not taking it lightly. Europe will be represented by some of the biggest clubs like Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain. Superstars including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Erling Haaland are expected to play. Madrid has signed Trent Alexander-Arnold early to ensure he is available. Also, midfielder Jude Bellingham will reportedly delay a shoulder operation in order to play. While City forward Phil Foden said he and his teammates were 'mentally drained' after a troubled season when the once-dominant Premier League club ended up trophyless, he did not doubt its determination to win the Club World Cup. 'Some clubs will take it more seriously than others, but I know City and the club we are. We'll definitely take it seriously,' he said. PSG coach Luis Enrique was also enthusiastic. 'I think it is an incredible competition. Maybe not now in its first edition, but it will become an incredibly important competition to win,' he said. The potential for the winner to take home $125 million from a total prize pot of $1 billion has also likely helped fuel interest from clubs participating. Lack of communication Europe's leagues and players' union say it was a lack of talks that put them on a collision course with FIFA over the tournament. Both of those bodies want to be consulted about new competitions being added to the calendar and that was the basis of their case with the European Commission, said Mathieu Moreuil, vice president of European Leagues. 'I mean we sent in letters, we tried to engage, there was no real consultations through any kind of committees or anything,' he said. Moreuil spoke at a briefing held in Munich ahead of the Champions League final last month, which The Associated Press attended. It was evidence of the intention to continue to apply pressure to FIFA even in the final weeks before the Club World Cup kicks off. 'FIFA is the one dealing with world football and is the governing body and they should take care of the game,' Moreuil said. FIFA didn't reply to requests for comment. Big expectations Coaches and players in Latin America have not complained about having to play more matches. In Argentina there is huge expectation. According to FIFA, Boca Juniors was the first team to sell out tickets for its three group stage matches, likely helped by two games in Miami, where there is a large Argentine community. 'I'm going to the Club World Cup with the highest expectations," said new Boca head coach Miguel Ángel Russo. "I dream big.' Latin American teams have also been active in the transfer market, making marquee signings in preparation. Former Madrid captain Sergio Ramos joined Mexican team Monterrey. In Argentina, River Plate signed seven new players and Brazilian club Palmeiras paid 18 million euros ($20 million) for striker Paulinho. Wider reception In the host nation, there were joyous scenes when LAFC secured the last place in the tournament after a playoff victory against Club America of Mexico last month. It will join Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders representing the U.S. In Japan thousands of fans unfurled a huge flag saying 'Grab the World Cup' ahead of Urawa Reds' last domestic game before heading to the U.S. For South Korea, represented by Ulsan HD, it is a case of national pride to take part. 'This is not just the journey of one club, but a message that the entire K-League sends to the world,' said local news outlet Asia Today. For Saudi Arabia, the Club World Cup is the chance to show the rapid growth of its Pro League following the oil-rich kingdom's drive to become a major player in soccer, which has included luring Cristiano Ronaldo and winning the right to host the 2034 World Cup. It will be represented by its most successful team, Al-Hilal, which failed in an attempt to sign Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in the weeks leading up to the tournament. ___ AP reporters Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo, Debora Rey in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and John Duerden in Seoul, South Korea, contributed. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer: recommended
