Club World Cup 2025: FIFA announces record-breaking $1 billion prize fund

FIFA has allocated a total prize pool of $1 billion for teams participating in this year’s Club World Cup in the United States, a source familiar with the negotiations told AFP on Wednesday.

The amount surpasses the prize money awarded in both the last men’s and women’s World Cups. Despite limited details on how FIFA is funding the first edition of the expanded 32-team tournament—set to take place every four years—the organization has secured a major broadcaster and high-profile sponsors in recent weeks.

British streaming service DAZN secured exclusive global rights to the June 14–July 13 tournament in a deal reportedly worth around €1 billion ($1.05 billion). FIFA has also signed sponsorship agreements with Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics giant Hisense, and Belgian brewers AB InBev.

By comparison, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar offered $440 million in total prize money, while the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand had a $110 million prize pool. Meanwhile, UEFA’s revamped 36-team Champions League format will distribute a total of €2.47 billion ($2.66 billion) among participating clubs this season.

FIFA’s expansion of the Club World Cup has drawn widespread criticism, particularly in Europe, due to concerns over player workload. The global footballers’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues association filed a complaint with the European Commission in October, accusing FIFA of exploiting its dominant position by overcrowding the football calendar.

With UEFA also expanding the Champions League, several top players, including Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, have raised concerns about excessive fixtures. Rodri even suggested a player strike might be imminent, saying in September: “I think we are close to that. If you ask any player, he will say the same.”

The expanded Club World Cup will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and four each from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. Auckland City and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will complete the 32-team lineup.

Despite the criticism, some figures in football have welcomed the tournament. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique previously expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Once every four years, there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup.”

The tournament will be held across 12 venues in 11 U.S. cities, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the same venue set to host the 2026 World Cup final.