FIFA is preparing to distribute more than $1 billion in prize money for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as the European Club Association (ECA) finalizes negotiations on behalf of clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the 32 participating clubs, including 12 from Europe, will split what is expected to be the biggest financial prize in club football history.
The tournament, which will be held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, will follow a seven-match format and is partly financed by the $1 billion global TV rights deal with sports streaming service DAZN, agreed upon in December 2024.
Prize Structure and Financial Breakdown
Each club will receive a participation fee for entering the group stage, with additional performance-based rewards for progressing further in the competition.
FIFA and the ECA are also in discussions to introduce solidarity payments for non-participating clubs.
These payments are expected to extend beyond Europe, eventually including clubs in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained the global impact of the tournament:
“The FIFA Club World Cup will not only be the pinnacle of club football but also a vivid demonstration of solidarity that will benefit clubs at large to a scale that no other competition has ever done.”
“All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs, and via club solidarity across the world, as FIFA will not keep a single dollar.”
While the ECA has yet to make an official statement, its European members are expected to receive a larger share of the revenue.
It is believed European clubs are key to the tournament and missing out on lucrative overseas pre-season tours will be compensated.
ECA-Backed Clubs for the 2025 Club World Cup
The ECA represents several major European clubs, including:
Chelsea (England)
Manchester City (England)
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Inter Milan (Italy)
Juventus (Italy)
Atletico Madrid (Spain)
Benfica (Portugal)
Porto (Portugal)
FC Salzburg (Austria)
Notably,
is not part of the ECA due to its continued support for the controversial European Super League (ESL).
The ECA has committed to supporting the FIFA Club World Cup until at least 2030 through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023.
Africa’s Stake in the Tournament
Meanwhile, CAF is negotiating on behalf of its clubs, with the African Club Association (ACA) pushing for greater representation and financial inclusion.
ACA Chairman and CAF Board Member Hersi A. Said expressed cautious optimism but called for more transparency:
“Africa is represented by four clubs—Al Ahly, Wydad AC, ES Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns. To start with, we are happy with four, and we will push to get more clubs in the next editions.”
“To be honest, we don’t have much information on TV rights or solidarity payments, but we would love the same platform to discuss this. It would be ideal if the ACA was involved in these matters.”
Despite the lack of clarity on financial distributions, club representatives from North America and Asia have largely expressed a positive outlook on the tournament.
Global Expansion and Future Plans
FIFA is determined to make the expanded Club World Cup a truly global event, with 12 stadiums across 11 US cities set to host the matches.
Infantino reiterated his vision for worldwide football development in December:
“Whatever FIFA does, it has to be global.”
FIFA has to involve the globe, and FIFA has to give opportunities and chances to everyone all over the world.”
“The Club World Cup is doing exactly that.”
A FIFA Council meeting is expected to provide further updates on the tournament’s progress in the coming weeks.
