FIFA Announces Lucrative Prize Structure for 2025 Club World Cup
Winners Could Earn Up to $125 Million
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday, March 26th, that the winners of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled for June 14th to July 13th, 2025, in the United States, could earn up to $125 million. The announcement details the distribution of a previously confirmed $1 billion total prize pot for the revamped tournament.
World soccer’s governing body stated that approximately half of the $1 billion total will be distributed among all 32 participating clubs. This allocation will be based on a combination of sporting and commercial criteria, developed in consultation with the European Club Association (ECA), meaning established clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid are likely to receive a larger share than smaller participants.
A further $475 million will be awarded based purely on performance throughout the tournament. This structure means the team achieving the most wins across a potential seven matches stands to gain the maximum prize money, reaching the $125 million figure.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the distribution model: “FIFA will neither retain any funding for this tournament, as all revenues will be distributed to club football, nor will it touch FIFA’s reserves, which are set aside for global football development through the 211 FIFA Member Associations.”
The announcement comes amidst ongoing concerns from players and coaches regarding player welfare, as the expanded tournament significantly reduces the off-season break. England captain Harry Kane acknowledged these concerns this week, stating, “Of course it’s another summer where you don’t really have a break… I think we’re getting used to it. There’s nothing really we can do about it.”
However, the Bayern Munich striker also expressed his ambition for the competition, telling FIFA.com: “To win it. We’re one of the best teams in the world, without a doubt, so every tournament we go into, the idea is to win.”
The substantial financial incentives offered for the 2025 Club World Cup underscore FIFA’s commitment to elevating the tournament’s status, despite the ongoing debate surrounding its impact on the global football calendar.