June 24, (THEWILL) – FIFA has announced that the United States will be hosting the highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, featuring an expanded format with 32 teams.
Currently consisting of eight teams, the Club World Cup incorporates champions from each continent and the national champion of the host country. In a recent statement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed his excitement for the event, describing it as the “pinnacle of elite professional men’s club football.” The decision to choose the United States as the host nation was based on its robust infrastructure and the immense local interest generated.
Prominent clubs from various regions have already secured their spots in the competition. Europe has been allocated 12 spots, with four reserved for the UEFA Champions League winners leading up to 2025. Recent Champions League victors Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City have already earned their places. Meanwhile, Africa has been granted four slots, of which Al Ahly and Wydad AC, the winners of the CAF Champions League, have already secured two. Enyimba International FC, Nigeria’s most successful club, has the potential to join them if they triumph in the next CAF Champions League.
Enyimba is the sole Nigerian club to have won the prestigious tournament, achieving the feat consecutively in 2003 and 2004. Led by former Super Eagles winger George Finidi, Enyimba aims to secure their third continental title and thereafter compete against the world’s biggest clubs at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will mark a significant revamp of the tournament, with an expanded format and an ambition to resemble the World Cup. FIFA aims to capitalise on the global appeal of football and extend its reach by hosting this prestigious event in the United States. The exact dates, venues, and schedule for the tournament have yet to be confirmed by FIFA.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
