Although the format of the FIFA Club World Cup underwent major changes and drew widespread criticism, the tournament was successfully held and delivered several intriguing outcomes. Most notably, Chelsea stunned favorites PSG with a dominant 3-0 win in the final.
It was PSG’s heaviest defeat since a 4-1 loss to Newcastle in October 2023. The Parisian side had performed strongly in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season, while Chelsea came into the tournament as UEFA Conference League champions and fourth-place finishers in the Premier League. However, tactical discipline and detailed analysis helped the London side secure a well-deserved victory.
The tournament continues the legacy of the Intercontinental Cup, which once featured Europe's and South America's top clubs. A notable Azerbaijani connection to the event's history is that legendary referee Tofik Bakhramov officiated the 1972 clash between Independiente and Ajax in Argentina.
Previously featuring seven clubs, the Club World Cup expanded to a 32-team format in 2025. It will now take place every four years, with the Intercontinental Cup running annually alongside.
Much of the criticism surrounding the event focused on the congested football calendar. Nowadays, it's not unusual for players to participate in over 60 official matches per season. Major tournaments are now a regular fixture every summer, with EURO 2024, the Club World Cup in 2025, and an expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026.
Held in the U.S., the tournament faced logistical and weather-related challenges. Several matches were delayed due to storm warnings, and ticket sales were underwhelming, prompting price reductions. Around 2.5 million spectators attended, averaging 39,557 per match, lower than Qatar 2022 (53,191) and EURO 2024 (52,574).
The disparity in team quality contributed to a high scoring rate, averaging 3.1 goals per game, a figure not seen at a World Cup since 1958. No European Championship with more than eight teams has ever matched that goal average.
Financially, clubs were the biggest beneficiaries. While top Champions League clubs typically earn under $10 million per match, some Club World Cup participants earned over $15 million per game. The tournament’s total prize pool reached $1 billion. According to The Swiss Ramble, seven clubs earned over $50 million: Chelsea ($114.6M), PSG ($106.9M), Real Madrid ($82.5M), Fluminense ($60.8M), Bayern Munich ($58.2M), Borussia Dortmund ($52.3M), and Manchester City ($51.7M). Even amateur-heavy Auckland City walked away with $4.6 million.
The next Club World Cup is scheduled for 2029, with the host yet to be announced. Candidates include the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Qatar, and the 2030 World Cup trio: Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Some qualified clubs are already known — Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Pyramids (Egypt), Cruz Azul (Mexico), and PSG once again.
While the expanded format increases the workload for players, it brings significant financial gains for clubs. FIFA views the tournament as a key strategic platform for the future of global football.
Rasim Movsumzadeh
Idman.biz
