admin Historic Prize Money and Sponsorship Deals
FIFA has confirmed that the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup will feature significantly higher prize money than previous editions, surpassing the amounts awarded in both the men’s and women’s World Cups. The tournament, scheduled to take place every four years, is expected to generate $2 billion in revenues, with all earnings to be distributed among participating clubs and through global solidarity payments.
The organisation has recently secured major sponsorship deals with global brands, including Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics company Hisense, and Belgian brewers AB InBev. Additionally, British streaming service DAZN acquired the exclusive global broadcasting rights for approximately one billion euros ($1.05 billion). FIFA also confirmed the launch of a women’s edition of the tournament, set to begin in 2028.
By comparison, the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar had a total prize pool of $440 million, while the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand awarded $110 million. Meanwhile, UEFA’s revamped Champions League, which introduced a new 36-club format, will distribute a total of 2.47 billion euros ($2.66 billion) among participating clubs this season.
Concerns Over Player Welfare and Scheduling Conflicts
Despite the financial boost, the tournament’s expansion has faced criticism, particularly from European football authorities and players’ unions. FIFPro, the global footballers’ union, along with the European Leagues association, lodged a complaint with the European Commission in October, accusing FIFA of abusing its influence by congesting the football calendar.
Several high-profile players, including Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, have publicly voiced concerns over the increasing physical strain on athletes. Rodri, ahead of a season-ending knee injury, had warned that player dissatisfaction was at an all-time high and that the possibility of a strike could not be ruled out.
While some remain critical of the tournament’s expansion, others, including Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique, believe the competition’s prestige will attract widespread participation. He suggested that players would be eager to compete in such a high-profile event occurring once every four years.
The tournament will take place at 12 venues across 11 cities in the United States, with the final set to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will also host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. European clubs will have the largest representation, with 12 teams, followed by six from South America and four each from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. Auckland City and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will also be part of the competition.
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