July 18, 2025 • 16 mins
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Vision & RealityThis deep dive episode offers a comprehensive overview of the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025, analyzing its ambitious global vision and whether it proved to be a flawed experiment or a triumphant launch. It details the unprecedented financial impact for participating clubs, highlighting the significant prize money and the disproportionate benefit for smaller revenue bases, such as Auckland City FC. It also explores the tournament's commercial successes, including record-breaking broadcast figures for DAZN and PSG's massive retail gains, while simultaneously addressing critical challenges like extreme heat, venue issues, and an overloaded player calendar. Ultimately, the sources evaluate the event as a vital pre-World Cup test that provided valuable insights for future major football tournaments.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review to help more players and coaches discover the power of Techne Futbol and Data Technology in the beautiful game.
#TechneAfricaFutbol #TechneFutbol #TrainWithTechne #Playermaker #TraceFutbol #Hudl #FootballTech #FootballInnovation #PlayerDevelopment #CoachTools #SmartFootballTraining #AfricanFootball #CAFOnline #FIFA #FIFAYouth #CAFDevelopment #YouthFootballAfrica #NextGenFootball #FootballScouting #TalentIdentification #DigitalScouting #EliteYouthDevelopment #FootballJourney #FootballAnalytics #FIFAForward #FutebolAfricano #TrainTrackCompete #FootballExcellence #FootballAfrica #TheFutureOfFootball
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
So we just saw the first ever 32team FIFA Club World Cup wrap up
in the US and wow, it's definitely got people talking.
Was this the huge leap forward FIFA was aiming for, or are
there some bigger issues hiding underneath?
That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it?
Or maybe the billion dollar question given the prize money?
(00:21):
Good point. So for you listening, the real
question we're digging into is, was this a genuinely bold vision
for global football, or maybe more of a flawed experiment when
you look closer? Exactly.
It was undeniably ambitious, right?
A huge attempt to reshape the global club games from really
fantastic moments. Some definite highlights, but
yeah, also some pretty significant concerns came out.
(00:43):
OK, let's dive right and then we're going to unpack what
worked, what really didn't, and what all this might mean for the
future of club football. Where do we even start with
something this massive? The ambition alone is huge.
Yeah, the ambition is the perfect starting point.
This wasn't just, you know, another tournament, it was the
1st 32 team format, a truly global stage for clubs like
we've never actually seen before.
(01:03):
And you definitely got the senseFIFA was making a statement
planting a flag in the US market, which is, let's face it,
strategically massive for them leading up to 2026.
And that ambition came with someserious financial muscle.
Over a billion dollars in prize money.
That number itself is just. Wow, but the structure was
interesting too. Wasn't it like 52.5% just for
(01:25):
showing up? Exactly, just for participating,
and the other 47.5% was based onhow well you actually did on the
pitch, and that split had a really interesting, varied
impact. How so?
Well, you. Had the big European clubs,
obviously, Chelsea, for example,they apparently earned something
like $16.4 million per game. Per game, Yeah.
And PSG was right behind them, around $15.3 million per game.
(01:50):
Now get this, those figures are actually higher than what they
were pulling in per match in theChampions League last year.
Seriously higher than the Champions League.
Yep, which was around $10 million per match for them.
So Chelsea ended up with what, $114.7 million total?
And PSG got $107 million? For clubs already swimming in
cash, that's still a massive injection.
OK, so the giants definitely gotricher, no surprise there.
(02:11):
But those numbers are still pretty staggering.
Is that the whole financial picture though?
Or was the real game changer somewhere else?
That's the perfect question because that's where it gets
really fascinating. While the absolute cash favored
the elite, the relative impact that was felt most strongly by
the clubs operating on much, much smaller budgets.
(02:32):
OK, like who? Take Auckland City FC semi pro
team from New Zealand. They walked away with a minimum
of $4.6 million. Four.
Point 6,000,000 for a semi pro team yes.
And get this, that's nearly eight times their last reported
annual revenue, which is only about $600,000.
Wait, hold on. Eight times their annual income
(02:52):
from one tournament. That's that's not just helpful,
that's potentially transformative.
Have we ever seen anything quitelike that before?
It's like hitting the lottery, honestly.
You just don't see that kind of immediate financial earthquake
from one event very often. For a club like Auckland City,
that's not just, you know, nice to have, that could genuinely
allow them to restructure, maybeeven push towards full
(03:14):
professionalism in a way they could only dream about before.
And it's not just them. Think about South American
clubs. This kind of money might let
them hold on to their star players for a bit longer, you
know, fight off those European bids for another season or two.
That could shift things. Definitely.
And for African clubs like Why Dad, this could mean paying down
debt, investing in stadiums, youth academies, real long term
(03:38):
building blocks. This one tournament appearance
could seriously change their whole financial strategy and
maybe even shake up the competitive balance back home.
And we shouldn't forget that solidarity payment either,
right? That one off $250 million.
I know Uefa's annual payments are higher overall, but for a
first tournament like this, $250million is still a pretty
(03:58):
significant chunk of change. It absolutely is.
It underlines the scale, the financial commitment.
But beyond the prize money, thisthing was a beast commercially
and on the broadcast side, too. Oh yeah, it felt like it.
PSG especially seemed to just explode in the US market.
The numbers were kind of creep. Record jersey sales over 100,000
globally during the tournament. Yep, and their new 2025 home
(04:22):
jersey became their fastest selling ever.
Sales were up 37% compared to their previous best kit. 37%
that's huge. What does that signal?
It signals they absolutely nailed their off pitch strategy
in the US. Their New York store had like
12,000 visitors in one week 12. 1000.
Yeah, and their US online sales shot of 744% on one match day.
(04:44):
Overall US retail sales were up 225% by mid-july.
It just shows the massive exposure potential not just for
the established European giants,but maybe even more importantly
for those non UEFA clubs who rarely get this kind of global
spotlight. And the broadcast side DAZN
seemed to be everywhere. They really were.
DAZN reached over 2 billion global views across their
(05:04):
platforms. They reported something like a
5% conversion rate to paid Subs to which is pretty solid. 2
billion views is a lot of eyeballs.
It is, and think about the opening match Chelsea versus
LAFC. 8 million simultaneous logins just for that game.
The total global audience hit 25,000,000 including the Sub
license deals. Were there specific examples of
(05:26):
that global reach? Oh yeah, fans in Saudi Arabia
tuning in to watch Al Hilal at 4:00 AM local time.
Over 1.5 million of them 4. AM.
That's dedication. It really is.
And in Brazil they had these huge fan festivals.
Apparently over 100,000 people turned up even on up at Cabana
Beach. That level of engagement
worldwide is just phenomenal. And FIFO is trying new things
(05:46):
with the broadcast itself too, right?
Tech innovations. Definitely, we saw the referee
Cam which gives you that unique perspective, the Adidas Smart
Ball providing real time data and VAR explanations being
communicated more clearly, whichis always welcome.
Plus, DAZN had that XR app on Metaquest offering a more
immersive VR experience. It really felt like they were
(06:06):
pushing the boundaries, positioning themselves as a
sports tech leader. So these aren't just gimmicks
then? These are tests for the future.
That's exactly it. They're using this massive stage
as a live lab, stress testing, new ways to engage fans, new
broadcast tech things will almost certainly see become
standard practice at the 2026 World Cup and other big events.
(06:28):
It's a sneak peek at how we'll be watching football soon.
OK, so the money was huge, the commercial side was booming, the
broadcast reach was massive. But ultimately it comes down to
the football, right? Did the action on the pitch
actually live up to all this hype and ambition?
You know, I think it really did.There was genuine drama, lots of
goals, averaging over three per game.
(06:48):
We saw proper upsets, thrilling comebacks.
It was entertaining. Like PSG cruising initially.
Yeah, they looked dominant earlyon, right?
Smashing Athletico, Real Madrid into Miami 4 nil each, then bang
Chelsea beat them three nil. Completely unexpected.
And that wasn't the only shock, was it?
Man City losing to Al Halal? That's a massive result.
Huge losing 4/3 an extra time. And there were other moments
(07:11):
too. Benficus snatching that 95th
minute penalty against Chelsea after a massive 2 hour storm
delay. Real edge of your seat stuff.
And Auckland City again. Yeah, got to give him another
mention. Holding Boca Juniors to A11
draw, considering their past results against that level of
opposition, that was a huge stepup, really showed incredible
(07:32):
resilience. And Speaking of stepping up, the
Brazilian clubs had a fantastic tournament.
Oh, absolute brilliant. All four of them made it to the
knockout stages. That's incredibly impressive.
Fluminosa got to the semis. And Botafogo beat PSG.
Exactly A1 nil win over PSG thatsent a message.
Brazil as a nation just dominated representation wise to
91 players, the most from any country.
(07:54):
They scored 31 goals collectively.
Marcos Leonardo from Aloha endedup as a Co top scorer with four
goals. Any other individual players
really catch your eye well? A Crafikini was outstanding,
named in the best XCI of the tournament.
And consider this that season hewas in the best 11 for the
Champions League, League One, the Olympics and this Club World
Cup. That's consistency at the
(08:16):
highest level. You have to think he's putting
himself in the ball on door conversation down the line.
And Bono, the AL Halal keeper. His big save against Man City
made headlines everywhere. Rossi also nabbed four goals,
sharing the top scorer spot. The level of talent on display
was undeniable. OK, so lots of positives, the
money, the exposure, the drama on the pitch.
(08:38):
But yeah, we have to talk about the other side of the coin, the
challenges, because there were some serious ones, starting with
player. Welfare.
Yeah, this is a big one. The PFA, the players union,
called it a nonsensical accumulation of games, and you
can see why. That Hakeemi example you
mentioned earlier. Exactly, Olympics, full club
season, internationals, then this massive tournament, then
straight into another club season.
(08:58):
It's just relentless and it's not abstract concern.
We saw serious injuries like Jamal Musiala breaking his leg.
That really brings the physical toll into sharp focus.
And managers were worried, too. Oh yeah, Pep Cardiola was
talking about players potentially being exhausted by
November or January and you're in Clopton mince words famously
calling the expanded calendar the worst idea ever implemented
(09:20):
in football. It just screams for better
coordination between FIFA confederations leagues.
Someone needs to look at the whole picture for the players
sake. Beyond the players themselves,
what about the experience for fans and teams on the ground?
Logistical issues? Venue problems.
There were definitely bumps there.
(09:40):
The extreme heat in some locations was a major issue
leading to those storm delays aswell.
And the stadiums? Oh, MetLife got quite a bit of
criticism. For what specifically?
Poor pitch quality, apparently major traffic problems getting
in and out, no roof which doesn't help with heat or
storms, and visibility issues from some seats.
Plus using NFL stadiums generally, while they have
(10:02):
capacity, they're often not ideal for football viewing.
The stands can feel very far away.
And that contributed to empty seats.
I heard there are over a millionempty seats in the group stage.
Yet that figure was reported. It wasn't just the stadiums,
though. Some these apparently looked
unfinished, like logos taped up,not quite the polished image you
expect. And ticket prices, I heard they
started really high. They did like €400 for semi
(10:25):
final tickets initially or 290 for Chelsea Palmeris now.
Dynamic pricing kicked in and those prices plummeted later on.
To kick it in Iran you'd get semi tickets for €10 that
Chelsea game for €9 eventually. Wow, that's a huge drop, but the
initial high prices probably putsome people off, didn't they?
Absolutely. Combine high prices, heat,
midweek games, it all adds up. And then there were those visa
(10:48):
issues too, affecting fans and even some players like white
ads. Syrian player Omar Al Soma
couldn't get in. Little things like that add
friction. So it created this sort of mixed
picture for attendance and appeal.
Exactly. You had critics calling it a
vanity project, but then fans who were actually there reported
being highly satisfied with the experience.
We had 15 matches with over 60,000 fans.
(11:09):
PSG versus Athletico pulled over80,000.
Huge crowds. But on the flip side, you had
four games with fewer than 10,000 people.
The overall average attendance was about 38,000 per match,
which sounds OK, but it's actually lower than any men's
World Cup since 1962. That's a snark comparison.
It is, and it really brings us to this interesting point about
(11:33):
the African teams, the African paradox, as some called it.
What do you mean by that? Well, there were big debates
around their participation, how they were valued, the visibility
they got and ultimately their results.
There's a clear valuation gap. The four African clubs combined
were worth about 120 million, roughly the same as just River
Plate from Argentina. Just one club.
Wow. Yeah, and despite having
(11:54):
talented players, none of the African teams made it out of the
group stage. It highlighted the massive
budget differences, wide ADS GM mentioned facing teams with 30
to 60 times their budget, and probably deeper structural
issues within the African game that need addressing.
That's tough, but their fans showed up.
Right. Oh, absolutely.
The African fans were consistently mentioned as being
(12:15):
among the loudest, most passionate, really adding to the
atmosphere. And individually, African
players did shine. For Fee, we made the best 16
team, including Hakeemian Bono as we mentioned.
So putting it all together, the highs, the lows, the money, the
challenges, what does this all mean?
Where does it leave us with thatcentral question?
(12:35):
Bold vision or flawed experiment?
It really feels like elements ofboth, doesn't it?
The financial side is fascinating because yes, the
elite clubs got the biggest checks in absolute terms, but
that relative impact we talked about for clubs like Auckland
City or potentially for South American and African teams,
that's incredibly profound. That one appearance could
genuinely change their trajectory.
(12:57):
It really could influence investment, maybe even shift
competitive balance over time. And the exposure element is huge
too, especially for the 9 UEFA clubs.
Getting that kind of global visibility is rare.
Did that exposure translate intotangible results, like growing
their fan base? Early signs suggest yes, 10 of
the 12 clubs showing the biggestpercentage jump in social media
(13:18):
followers during the tournament were from outside Europe.
That really highlights how this format can give them a platform
to build their brand globally ina way they couldn't before.
It's potentially a long term gain, not just a flash in the
pan. And looking forward, FIFA must
have learned a ton from this, right?
Especially with the 2026 World Cup, also in the US, this had to
(13:39):
be a crucial test run. Absolutely.
Think of it as a massive, expensive, high stakes dress
rehearsal. They got invaluable data on
logistics, crowd control, security, transport, how the
broadcast tech holds up under pressure, all things they need
to nail for 2026. Yeah, identifying those friction
points now is critical. So it still leaves that big
(13:59):
question hanging. Is this specific format the
future, or does it need a major rethink based on what we saw?
Despite all the problems Arson, Wenger apparently said something
quite telling. He did.
He apparently stated that 100% of clubs would return if invited
again. 100% even with the players strain and logistical
headaches. It seems so.
And why? Primarily the money and the
(14:20):
exposure. For most clubs invited, those
factors are just too compelling to turn down, even with the
downsides. But something has to give,
doesn't it? Especially on player welfare.
Agreed there needs to be much better coordination globally to
manage the calendar. That's non negotiable going
forward and those venue and climate issues, they absolutely
(14:41):
have to be sorted out before 2026.
Otherwise, you risk seriously damaging the fan experience and
the tournament's credibility. And for the African clubs,
what's the take away for them tobridge that gap?
They need to leverage this platform, sure, but also focus
internally, finding ways to boost revenue streams, using
data analytics more effectively,improving youth development
pipelines. It's about building sustainable
(15:03):
structures, not just relying on the next big payout.
And lastly, that balance betweenspectacle and football culture.
We saw some very American style entertainment elements.
Tim's doing a halftime show. Michael Buffer.
Yeah, the Let's Get Ready to Rumble moment.
It adds flair, brings a different kind of energy, which
can be good for attracting new audiences.
But FIFA needs to be careful to find the right balance, right?
(15:24):
Yeah, keep the global football culture at its heart even as it
embraces new presentation styles.
The fine line to walk, definitely.
So wrapping this all up, this first 32 team Club World Cup,
undeniably historic, hugely ambitious, backed by massive
investment, it delivered unprecedented financial
windfalls and global visibility,especially for clubs outside the
(15:47):
traditional power centers. But as we've dug into, it also
threw up some serious red flags.Player welfare is a critical
concern. The logistical execution had
clear flaws, and it highlighted the ongoing disparities and the
need for greater equity across the global game.
It really was a complex picture.So if this was, as you said, a
vital test run before the World Cup, what does its ultimate
(16:09):
success hinge on? Is it just the money keeping
everyone on board, or is it FIFA's ability to actually learn
from this and fix those very real human and logistical
problems it exposed? That's the core question moving
forward. What stands out most for you,
the listener, about this tournament, and what do you
think it signals about where global football and maybe even
global sports entertainment is headed next?
So we just saw the first ever 32team FIFA Club World Cup wrap up
in the US and wow, it's definitely got people talking.
Was this the huge leap forward FIFA was aiming for, or are
there some bigger issues hiding underneath?
That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it?
Or maybe the billion dollar question given the prize money?
(00:21):
Good point. So for you listening, the real
question we're digging into is, was this a genuinely bold vision
for global football, or maybe more of a flawed experiment when
you look closer? Exactly.
It was undeniably ambitious, right?
A huge attempt to reshape the global club games from really
fantastic moments. Some definite highlights, but
yeah, also some pretty significant concerns came out.
(00:43):
OK, let's dive right and then we're going to unpack what
worked, what really didn't, and what all this might mean for the
future of club football. Where do we even start with
something this massive? The ambition alone is huge.
Yeah, the ambition is the perfect starting point.
This wasn't just, you know, another tournament, it was the
1st 32 team format, a truly global stage for clubs like
we've never actually seen before.
(01:03):
And you definitely got the senseFIFA was making a statement
planting a flag in the US market, which is, let's face it,
strategically massive for them leading up to 2026.
And that ambition came with someserious financial muscle.
Over a billion dollars in prize money.
That number itself is just. Wow, but the structure was
interesting too. Wasn't it like 52.5% just for
(01:25):
showing up? Exactly, just for participating,
and the other 47.5% was based onhow well you actually did on the
pitch, and that split had a really interesting, varied
impact. How so?
Well, you. Had the big European clubs,
obviously, Chelsea, for example,they apparently earned something
like $16.4 million per game. Per game, Yeah.
And PSG was right behind them, around $15.3 million per game.
(01:50):
Now get this, those figures are actually higher than what they
were pulling in per match in theChampions League last year.
Seriously higher than the Champions League.
Yep, which was around $10 million per match for them.
So Chelsea ended up with what, $114.7 million total?
And PSG got $107 million? For clubs already swimming in
cash, that's still a massive injection.
OK, so the giants definitely gotricher, no surprise there.
(02:11):
But those numbers are still pretty staggering.
Is that the whole financial picture though?
Or was the real game changer somewhere else?
That's the perfect question because that's where it gets
really fascinating. While the absolute cash favored
the elite, the relative impact that was felt most strongly by
the clubs operating on much, much smaller budgets.
(02:32):
OK, like who? Take Auckland City FC semi pro
team from New Zealand. They walked away with a minimum
of $4.6 million. Four.
Point 6,000,000 for a semi pro team yes.
And get this, that's nearly eight times their last reported
annual revenue, which is only about $600,000.
Wait, hold on. Eight times their annual income
(02:52):
from one tournament. That's that's not just helpful,
that's potentially transformative.
Have we ever seen anything quitelike that before?
It's like hitting the lottery, honestly.
You just don't see that kind of immediate financial earthquake
from one event very often. For a club like Auckland City,
that's not just, you know, nice to have, that could genuinely
allow them to restructure, maybeeven push towards full
(03:14):
professionalism in a way they could only dream about before.
And it's not just them. Think about South American
clubs. This kind of money might let
them hold on to their star players for a bit longer, you
know, fight off those European bids for another season or two.
That could shift things. Definitely.
And for African clubs like Why Dad, this could mean paying down
debt, investing in stadiums, youth academies, real long term
(03:38):
building blocks. This one tournament appearance
could seriously change their whole financial strategy and
maybe even shake up the competitive balance back home.
And we shouldn't forget that solidarity payment either,
right? That one off $250 million.
I know Uefa's annual payments are higher overall, but for a
first tournament like this, $250million is still a pretty
(03:58):
significant chunk of change. It absolutely is.
It underlines the scale, the financial commitment.
But beyond the prize money, thisthing was a beast commercially
and on the broadcast side, too. Oh yeah, it felt like it.
PSG especially seemed to just explode in the US market.
The numbers were kind of creep. Record jersey sales over 100,000
globally during the tournament. Yep, and their new 2025 home
(04:22):
jersey became their fastest selling ever.
Sales were up 37% compared to their previous best kit. 37%
that's huge. What does that signal?
It signals they absolutely nailed their off pitch strategy
in the US. Their New York store had like
12,000 visitors in one week 12. 1000.
Yeah, and their US online sales shot of 744% on one match day.
(04:44):
Overall US retail sales were up 225% by mid-july.
It just shows the massive exposure potential not just for
the established European giants,but maybe even more importantly
for those non UEFA clubs who rarely get this kind of global
spotlight. And the broadcast side DAZN
seemed to be everywhere. They really were.
DAZN reached over 2 billion global views across their
(05:04):
platforms. They reported something like a
5% conversion rate to paid Subs to which is pretty solid. 2
billion views is a lot of eyeballs.
It is, and think about the opening match Chelsea versus
LAFC. 8 million simultaneous logins just for that game.
The total global audience hit 25,000,000 including the Sub
license deals. Were there specific examples of
(05:26):
that global reach? Oh yeah, fans in Saudi Arabia
tuning in to watch Al Hilal at 4:00 AM local time.
Over 1.5 million of them 4. AM.
That's dedication. It really is.
And in Brazil they had these huge fan festivals.
Apparently over 100,000 people turned up even on up at Cabana
Beach. That level of engagement
worldwide is just phenomenal. And FIFO is trying new things
(05:46):
with the broadcast itself too, right?
Tech innovations. Definitely, we saw the referee
Cam which gives you that unique perspective, the Adidas Smart
Ball providing real time data and VAR explanations being
communicated more clearly, whichis always welcome.
Plus, DAZN had that XR app on Metaquest offering a more
immersive VR experience. It really felt like they were
(06:06):
pushing the boundaries, positioning themselves as a
sports tech leader. So these aren't just gimmicks
then? These are tests for the future.
That's exactly it. They're using this massive stage
as a live lab, stress testing, new ways to engage fans, new
broadcast tech things will almost certainly see become
standard practice at the 2026 World Cup and other big events.
(06:28):
It's a sneak peek at how we'll be watching football soon.
OK, so the money was huge, the commercial side was booming, the
broadcast reach was massive. But ultimately it comes down to
the football, right? Did the action on the pitch
actually live up to all this hype and ambition?
You know, I think it really did.There was genuine drama, lots of
goals, averaging over three per game.
(06:48):
We saw proper upsets, thrilling comebacks.
It was entertaining. Like PSG cruising initially.
Yeah, they looked dominant earlyon, right?
Smashing Athletico, Real Madrid into Miami 4 nil each, then bang
Chelsea beat them three nil. Completely unexpected.
And that wasn't the only shock, was it?
Man City losing to Al Halal? That's a massive result.
Huge losing 4/3 an extra time. And there were other moments
(07:11):
too. Benficus snatching that 95th
minute penalty against Chelsea after a massive 2 hour storm
delay. Real edge of your seat stuff.
And Auckland City again. Yeah, got to give him another
mention. Holding Boca Juniors to A11
draw, considering their past results against that level of
opposition, that was a huge stepup, really showed incredible
(07:32):
resilience. And Speaking of stepping up, the
Brazilian clubs had a fantastic tournament.
Oh, absolute brilliant. All four of them made it to the
knockout stages. That's incredibly impressive.
Fluminosa got to the semis. And Botafogo beat PSG.
Exactly A1 nil win over PSG thatsent a message.
Brazil as a nation just dominated representation wise to
91 players, the most from any country.
(07:54):
They scored 31 goals collectively.
Marcos Leonardo from Aloha endedup as a Co top scorer with four
goals. Any other individual players
really catch your eye well? A Crafikini was outstanding,
named in the best XCI of the tournament.
And consider this that season hewas in the best 11 for the
Champions League, League One, the Olympics and this Club World
Cup. That's consistency at the
(08:16):
highest level. You have to think he's putting
himself in the ball on door conversation down the line.
And Bono, the AL Halal keeper. His big save against Man City
made headlines everywhere. Rossi also nabbed four goals,
sharing the top scorer spot. The level of talent on display
was undeniable. OK, so lots of positives, the
money, the exposure, the drama on the pitch.
(08:38):
But yeah, we have to talk about the other side of the coin, the
challenges, because there were some serious ones, starting with
player. Welfare.
Yeah, this is a big one. The PFA, the players union,
called it a nonsensical accumulation of games, and you
can see why. That Hakeemi example you
mentioned earlier. Exactly, Olympics, full club
season, internationals, then this massive tournament, then
straight into another club season.
(08:58):
It's just relentless and it's not abstract concern.
We saw serious injuries like Jamal Musiala breaking his leg.
That really brings the physical toll into sharp focus.
And managers were worried, too. Oh yeah, Pep Cardiola was
talking about players potentially being exhausted by
November or January and you're in Clopton mince words famously
calling the expanded calendar the worst idea ever implemented
(09:20):
in football. It just screams for better
coordination between FIFA confederations leagues.
Someone needs to look at the whole picture for the players
sake. Beyond the players themselves,
what about the experience for fans and teams on the ground?
Logistical issues? Venue problems.
There were definitely bumps there.
(09:40):
The extreme heat in some locations was a major issue
leading to those storm delays aswell.
And the stadiums? Oh, MetLife got quite a bit of
criticism. For what specifically?
Poor pitch quality, apparently major traffic problems getting
in and out, no roof which doesn't help with heat or
storms, and visibility issues from some seats.
Plus using NFL stadiums generally, while they have
(10:02):
capacity, they're often not ideal for football viewing.
The stands can feel very far away.
And that contributed to empty seats.
I heard there are over a millionempty seats in the group stage.
Yet that figure was reported. It wasn't just the stadiums,
though. Some these apparently looked
unfinished, like logos taped up,not quite the polished image you
expect. And ticket prices, I heard they
started really high. They did like €400 for semi
(10:25):
final tickets initially or 290 for Chelsea Palmeris now.
Dynamic pricing kicked in and those prices plummeted later on.
To kick it in Iran you'd get semi tickets for €10 that
Chelsea game for €9 eventually. Wow, that's a huge drop, but the
initial high prices probably putsome people off, didn't they?
Absolutely. Combine high prices, heat,
midweek games, it all adds up. And then there were those visa
(10:48):
issues too, affecting fans and even some players like white
ads. Syrian player Omar Al Soma
couldn't get in. Little things like that add
friction. So it created this sort of mixed
picture for attendance and appeal.
Exactly. You had critics calling it a
vanity project, but then fans who were actually there reported
being highly satisfied with the experience.
We had 15 matches with over 60,000 fans.
(11:09):
PSG versus Athletico pulled over80,000.
Huge crowds. But on the flip side, you had
four games with fewer than 10,000 people.
The overall average attendance was about 38,000 per match,
which sounds OK, but it's actually lower than any men's
World Cup since 1962. That's a snark comparison.
It is, and it really brings us to this interesting point about
(11:33):
the African teams, the African paradox, as some called it.
What do you mean by that? Well, there were big debates
around their participation, how they were valued, the visibility
they got and ultimately their results.
There's a clear valuation gap. The four African clubs combined
were worth about 120 million, roughly the same as just River
Plate from Argentina. Just one club.
Wow. Yeah, and despite having
(11:54):
talented players, none of the African teams made it out of the
group stage. It highlighted the massive
budget differences, wide ADS GM mentioned facing teams with 30
to 60 times their budget, and probably deeper structural
issues within the African game that need addressing.
That's tough, but their fans showed up.
Right. Oh, absolutely.
The African fans were consistently mentioned as being
(12:15):
among the loudest, most passionate, really adding to the
atmosphere. And individually, African
players did shine. For Fee, we made the best 16
team, including Hakeemian Bono as we mentioned.
So putting it all together, the highs, the lows, the money, the
challenges, what does this all mean?
Where does it leave us with thatcentral question?
(12:35):
Bold vision or flawed experiment?
It really feels like elements ofboth, doesn't it?
The financial side is fascinating because yes, the
elite clubs got the biggest checks in absolute terms, but
that relative impact we talked about for clubs like Auckland
City or potentially for South American and African teams,
that's incredibly profound. That one appearance could
genuinely change their trajectory.
(12:57):
It really could influence investment, maybe even shift
competitive balance over time. And the exposure element is huge
too, especially for the 9 UEFA clubs.
Getting that kind of global visibility is rare.
Did that exposure translate intotangible results, like growing
their fan base? Early signs suggest yes, 10 of
the 12 clubs showing the biggestpercentage jump in social media
(13:18):
followers during the tournament were from outside Europe.
That really highlights how this format can give them a platform
to build their brand globally ina way they couldn't before.
It's potentially a long term gain, not just a flash in the
pan. And looking forward, FIFA must
have learned a ton from this, right?
Especially with the 2026 World Cup, also in the US, this had to
(13:39):
be a crucial test run. Absolutely.
Think of it as a massive, expensive, high stakes dress
rehearsal. They got invaluable data on
logistics, crowd control, security, transport, how the
broadcast tech holds up under pressure, all things they need
to nail for 2026. Yeah, identifying those friction
points now is critical. So it still leaves that big
(13:59):
question hanging. Is this specific format the
future, or does it need a major rethink based on what we saw?
Despite all the problems Arson, Wenger apparently said something
quite telling. He did.
He apparently stated that 100% of clubs would return if invited
again. 100% even with the players strain and logistical
headaches. It seems so.
And why? Primarily the money and the
(14:20):
exposure. For most clubs invited, those
factors are just too compelling to turn down, even with the
downsides. But something has to give,
doesn't it? Especially on player welfare.
Agreed there needs to be much better coordination globally to
manage the calendar. That's non negotiable going
forward and those venue and climate issues, they absolutely
(14:41):
have to be sorted out before 2026.
Otherwise, you risk seriously damaging the fan experience and
the tournament's credibility. And for the African clubs,
what's the take away for them tobridge that gap?
They need to leverage this platform, sure, but also focus
internally, finding ways to boost revenue streams, using
data analytics more effectively,improving youth development
pipelines. It's about building sustainable
(15:03):
structures, not just relying on the next big payout.
And lastly, that balance betweenspectacle and football culture.
We saw some very American style entertainment elements.
Tim's doing a halftime show. Michael Buffer.
Yeah, the Let's Get Ready to Rumble moment.
It adds flair, brings a different kind of energy, which
can be good for attracting new audiences.
But FIFA needs to be careful to find the right balance, right?
(15:24):
Yeah, keep the global football culture at its heart even as it
embraces new presentation styles.
The fine line to walk, definitely.
So wrapping this all up, this first 32 team Club World Cup,
undeniably historic, hugely ambitious, backed by massive
investment, it delivered unprecedented financial
windfalls and global visibility,especially for clubs outside the
(15:47):
traditional power centers. But as we've dug into, it also
threw up some serious red flags.Player welfare is a critical
concern. The logistical execution had
clear flaws, and it highlighted the ongoing disparities and the
need for greater equity across the global game.
It really was a complex picture.So if this was, as you said, a
vital test run before the World Cup, what does its ultimate
(16:09):
success hinge on? Is it just the money keeping
everyone on board, or is it FIFA's ability to actually learn
from this and fix those very real human and logistical
problems it exposed? That's the core question moving
forward. What stands out most for you,
the listener, about this tournament, and what do you
think it signals about where global football and maybe even
global sports entertainment is headed next?
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.