Olivier Giroud, one of the most well-known soccer players in the world, says the FIFA Club World Cup is a huge opportunity for Major League Soccer (MLS) to show what it’s made of. Giroud, who now plays for Los Angeles FC (LAFC), believes this tournament could help people around the world respect and notice the MLS more than ever before.
What Is the Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup is a special tournament where the best soccer clubs from different continents compete to become world champions. This year, it’s even bigger—32 teams are taking part! It all kicks off this weekend in Florida, and many people are excited.
Three teams from the MLS are part of this big event: Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami, and the Seattle Sounders. The tournament begins with a big match between Inter Miami, led by soccer legend Lionel Messi, and Al-Ahly, a famous club from Egypt.
Giroud and his team, LAFC, will play their first game on Monday against one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world—Chelsea from England.
Who Is Olivier Giroud?
In case you don’t know, Olivier Giroud is a world-class soccer player from France. He played for top clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan before joining LAFC in 2024. He also won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018 and has scored over 50 goals for his national team.
Now 38 years old, Giroud brings a ton of experience and leadership to LAFC. But more than that, he wants to help MLS grow and gain respect across the world.
What Did Giroud Say?
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Giroud said:
“We’re honored to represent this amazing club, but we also know that we’re representing MLS.”
That means LAFC is not just playing for itself—it’s also playing for the whole league. Giroud wants people to see how strong and skilled MLS players really are.
He added:
“I think this league is underrated, and I think a lot of it is just because it doesn’t have the same exposure globally.”
Let’s break that down: “underrated” means not enough people think it’s good, and “exposure” means how many people see or hear about it. So basically, Giroud believes MLS is better than most people think—it just doesn’t get enough attention.
Time for MLS to Prove Itself
Giroud hopes a strong performance from LAFC, Inter Miami, and Seattle Sounders will show the world that MLS has great teams, talented players, and exciting soccer. He said:
“Hopefully a good run from us will show the level of this league.”
That means if MLS teams play well and win games, fans from other countries might finally see MLS as a top soccer league.
How Did LAFC Make It to the Club World Cup?
LAFC didn’t even expect to be in the Club World Cup at first. They got in thanks to a last-minute playoff game after a Mexican team, Club León, was removed from the tournament. LAFC took their spot and now they’re ready to prove they belong.
But they’ve got a tough group. Besides Chelsea, LAFC will also play against Flamengo from Brazil and ES Tunis from Tunisia. These are some of the top teams in their regions, so the competition will be strong.
LAFC Will Be the Underdogs
When LAFC plays against Chelsea on Monday, most people will expect the English team to win. But Giroud doesn’t mind being the “underdog”—a team that people think will probably lose.
He said:
“It is something that we can embrace, and I hope Chelsea and Flamengo and Tunis and all these teams… walk off the field with a great level of respect as to the quality of our players.”
In other words, Giroud wants LAFC’s opponents to walk off the field thinking, “Wow, these MLS players are really good!”
And even if they don’t win every match, Giroud wants his team to give everything they’ve got. He said:
“If we walk off the pitch after every game like that, we will be proud.”
That’s a great attitude—playing with passion, effort, and pride no matter the outcome.
Soccer Facts About MLS and the Club World Cup
Let’s look at a few cool soccer facts that help explain why this tournament matters:
MLS was founded in 1993, and the first season was in 1996. It has grown a lot, now with 29 teams across the United States and Canada.
No MLS team has ever won the Club World Cup. In fact, very few MLS teams have even played in it.
The Seattle Sounders were the first MLS team to play in the Club World Cup, in 2022.
Inter Miami, led by Messi, is one of the most talked-about teams in the world right now.
The Club World Cup is usually dominated by European and South American teams, like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Flamengo.
That’s why Giroud wants MLS teams to do well—it would be history in the making.
Why the Club World Cup Matters for MLS
This tournament is more than just a bunch of soccer games. It’s a chance for MLS to earn respect on a global scale. Right now, leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga (Spain), and Serie A (Italy) are seen as the best. But Giroud and others believe MLS is catching up.
If LAFC or Inter Miami or Seattle make it deep into the tournament—or even beat one of the big clubs—it will change how people see American and Canadian soccer.
This is also important for younger fans. If kids in North America see their local teams competing with Chelsea and Flamengo, they might be inspired to follow MLS more closely, or even dream of playing in it someday.
Final Thoughts
Olivier Giroud knows what top-level soccer looks like—he’s played and won at the highest levels. So when he says MLS is “underrated,” people should listen. He’s not just talking. He’s leading by example.
LAFC, Inter Miami, and Seattle Sounders now have a big chance. They’re not just playing for themselves—they’re playing for an entire league. Every goal, every pass, and every tackle could help change the way the world looks at soccer in North America.
So when LAFC takes on Chelsea on Monday, don’t count them out. Giroud and his teammates are ready to fight, and they want to make sure the world sees what MLS is really all about.
