theglobalsun – FIFA president Gianni Infantino calls the Club World Cup the most successful club competition worldwide. Despite some negative feedback, he highlights the tournament’s strong financial results and growing fanbase. The current edition featured 32 teams and moved to a summer schedule. Infantino says the event generated over $2 billion in revenue, averaging $33 million per match. He claims this surpasses all other club competitions in financial terms.
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Infantino also emphasizes the tournament’s attendance, noting over 2.5 million fans attended across all matches. He compares the average 40,000 spectators per match favorably against other leagues, except the Premier League, which benefits from home team support. He argues that hosting matches in neutral venues makes this achievement even more impressive. His statement comes after criticism from figures like Jurgen Klopp, who called the expanded Club World Cup “the worst idea ever implemented.” Despite the criticism, Infantino remains confident the tournament will grow and attract even more global fans in future editions.
Some players voiced concerns about extreme heat and pitch conditions in the United States. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez described the heat as “very dangerous,” while his manager Enzo Maresca said training was “impossible” under those conditions. Despite these issues, Infantino remains optimistic about the competition’s future. He calls the current era “the golden age of global club football,” signaling his confidence in the tournament’s potential.
Addressing Player Welfare and Future Plans
Infantino acknowledges the heat as a significant concern during the tournament. Temperatures in New Jersey, where the final will be held, reached 38°C. Player welfare has become a key focus, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup planned across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Infantino stresses that cooling breaks and pitch watering help manage extreme weather.
He also points out that several World Cup stadiums have roofs to protect players and fans. During this Club World Cup, only Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium had a cover. However, the 2026 tournament will include four covered venues: Vancouver, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles. Infantino says FIFA will prioritize using these stadiums for daytime matches to reduce heat risks.
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The players’ union, Fifpro, suggested some matches should have been delayed due to extreme heat. Infantino accepts these concerns but compares the situation to other global sporting events like the Olympics. He vows FIFA will improve conditions and player safety moving forward. Overall, Infantino frames the Club World Cup as a financial and sporting success, despite logistical challenges. FIFA aims to build on this momentum, balancing commercial growth with athlete welfare ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
