The largest-ever edition of the FIFA Club World Cup gets underway Saturday in the United States, marking the start of a bold new chapter in international club football. With 32 teams, a redesigned trophy, and over a billion dollars in prize money, FIFA is betting big on the tournament’s reinvention.
This summer’s tournament, running from June 15 to July 13, replaces the traditional annual Club World Cup with a full-scale competition that now mirrors the men’s World Cup in format and global ambition.
From Annual Showcase to Global Tournament
Under the new format, the Club World Cup will now be held every four years. It includes 32 clubs from across all confederations—some as continental champions, others based on historical rankings. The expanded field represents a significant shift from the seven-team format used in previous years.
The U.S., also a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, is treating this year’s event as a major dress rehearsal. Matches will be held across 11 cities, culminating with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Not Without Challenges
Despite FIFA’s ambitious plans, early hurdles remain. Ticket sales have fallen short of expectations, leading organizers to slash prices and introduce new pricing tiers. Players and coaches have also voiced concern about fixture congestion in an already jam-packed football calendar.
Still, the potential payday is hard to ignore.
Prize Money Hits Historic High
The tournament’s total prize pool sits at $1 billion, with each club receiving a portion. The champion will walk away with $125 million—by far the biggest payday ever offered in a club competition.
European Clubs Dominate the Spotlight
European teams have historically dominated the Club World Cup, winning 16 of the past 20 editions. All eyes will again be on the continent’s powerhouses, many of whom are entering as favorites.
Clubs to watch this year include Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Match Schedule: Nepal Time (NPT)
The group stage spans three matchdays. Below are the fixtures for Matchday 1:
- Al Ahly vs Inter Miami – June 15, 5:45 a.m.
- Bayern vs Auckland City – June 15, 9:45 p.m.
- PSG vs Atlético Madrid – June 16, 12:45 a.m.
- Palmeiras vs Porto – June 16, 3:45 a.m.
- Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders – June 16, 7:45 a.m.
- Chelsea vs LAFC – June 17, 12:45 a.m.
- Boca Juniors vs Benfica – June 17, 3:45 a.m.
- Flamengo vs ES Tunis – June 17, 6:45 a.m.
- Fluminense vs Dortmund – June 17, 9:45 p.m.
- River Plate vs Urawa Reds – June 18, 12:45 a.m.
- Ulsan vs Mamelodi Sundowns – June 18, 3:45 a.m.
- Monterrey vs Inter – June 18, 6:45 a.m.
- Man City vs Wydad AC – June 18, 9:45 p.m.
- Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal – June 19, 12:45 a.m.
- Pachuca vs RB Salzburg – June 19, 3:45 a.m.
- Al Ain vs Juventus – June 19, 6:45 a.m.
Matchdays 2 and 3 follow from June 19 to 27. Knockout rounds begin June 28, with quarterfinals on July 2 and 3, semifinals on July 8 and 9, and the final set for July 13.
How to Watch
The easiest way to watch all 63 matches live—especially from countries like Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, or the Philippines—is through DAZN, the tournament’s official global broadcaster. All matches will be streamed live and free under DAZN’s “freemium” model. Registration only requires an email address.
For viewers in the U.S., coverage is also available on TNT, TBS, and TruTV, with streaming through MAX and live TV platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and fuboTV.
Channel 5 is expected to broadcast 23 select matches, including the final, in regions where it holds rights.
What’s at Stake
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has labeled the revamped Club World Cup a game-changer for global club football, aiming to match the prestige of the men’s World Cup. Whether it earns that reputation depends on the quality of football—and the response from fans around the world.
For now, the world’s top clubs are headed to the U.S. with a historic prize and global glory on the line.
