FIFA has announced that the winner of its first-ever 32-team Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, could earn up to $125 million. This follows the release of details about the competition’s massive $1 billion prize fund.
Huge Cash Prizes for Teams
FIFA has allocated $525 million in guaranteed fees for participating teams. The top European team, likely Real Madrid, could earn up to $38.19 million, while the Oceania representative, Auckland City, will receive $3.58 million. In addition, another $475 million will be distributed based on match results. Winning group stage games will earn teams $2 million, reaching $7.5 million for advancing to the round of 16. The team that wins the final at MetLife Stadium near New York will receive $40 million.
If the top-ranked European team wins all group-stage games, advances through the knockout rounds, and takes home the title, they could earn the full $125 million.
Global Broadcast Deal and Free Streaming
The competition’s prize fund was delayed after FIFA finalized a global broadcast deal with DAZN, a streaming service. Fans can watch games for free on DAZN’s website. The deal also includes a major investment from a Saudi Arabian sports agency. Saudi Arabia was recently confirmed as the host for the 2034 men’s World Cup.
Entry Fees and Qualifiers
Each of the 12 European teams will receive at least $12.81 million in entry fees for the first expanded edition of the Club World Cup. The 12 teams include top clubs like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, who qualified either by winning the Champions League from 2021 to 2024 or through consistent results.
The tournament also features six South American teams, each receiving $15.21 million. Teams from Africa, Asia, and the CONCACAF region (North America) will receive $9.55 million for participation. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, despite not winning the MLS Cup last season, is among the teams included.
Dispute and FIFA’s Plans for Other Clubs
There is a current dispute as Mexico’s Leon FC contests its removal from the competition due to shared ownership with Pachuca. FIFA also plans to distribute $250 million among clubs worldwide that did not qualify for the tournament, though the exact distribution is unclear.
Comparisons to Other Soccer Prize Funds
While the $125 million prize is a massive sum, it is still lower than the prize money for the English Premier League and UEFA’s Champions League. For example, Manchester City earned $227 million from the Premier League last season, and the Champions League title winner can receive around $146 million. UEFA’s total prize pool for the Champions League has now increased by nearly 25% per season until 2027.
Despite these numbers, the $1 billion prize fund for the Club World Cup is significantly more than the $440 million FIFA distributed to the 32 soccer federations whose teams played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Sponsorships and Future Tournaments
FIFA has also secured sponsorship deals for the Club World Cup, which are linked to the 2026 men’s World Cup that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
