This weekend, something big is starting in the United States—the very first expanded FIFA Club World Cup. And let’s just say, not everyone is excited about it. The new format is a big change to world football and could have a serious impact on players, teams, and even whole leagues in the years to come.
FIFA
FIFA’s new Club World Cup will now feature 32 of the best club teams from around the world, with a massive $1 billion in total prize money. The top-performing European club could earn up to $125 million! That’s more than enough to buy several world-class players.
But here’s the problem: the tournament is being squeezed into an already-packed football calendar. Players are already tired from long seasons and international matches, and now they’re being asked to do even more.
Too Many Games, Too Little Rest
Let’s take Vitinha, for example. The Portuguese midfielder has already played 52 matches for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this season. On top of that, he also played 8 games for Portugal, including the UEFA Nations League finals. Now, he’s flying to the United States to compete in the Club World Cup. That means he might not get a real holiday until mid-July. And guess what? The new French league season starts just one month later in mid-August.
That’s not just a one-time issue. Next summer, there’s the 2026 FIFA World Cup (also in North America), which means Vitinha and other top players could go years without a proper break. This kind of schedule is why player unions in Europe are speaking out. Some are even threatening strikes, saying enough is enough.
“Players don’t think just about the summer. They think about how they’re not going to have a holiday for the foreseeable future,” said Maheta Molango, head of the Professional Footballers’ Association.
FIFA
Money Talks: A Huge Advantage for Big Clubs
While clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona didn’t qualify for this Club World Cup, their players will at least get some rest. That might help them perform better next season. England’s manager Thomas Tuchel thinks teams that skip this tournament could have a big advantage in the domestic leagues.
But the real shock comes from the money. Teams taking part in the tournament are guaranteed huge prize payouts, even if they don’t win.
Auckland City, an amateur club from New Zealand, is earning $3.5 million just for showing up.
Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa could leave with nearly $10 million, which is equal to winning their league nine times.
That kind of cash could make these teams nearly unbeatable in their own leagues. Other clubs might not be able to keep up.
“The Club World Cup affects the ecosystem of national leagues, especially in Europe,” said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga (Spain’s top league).
⚔️ Club vs Country: A Scheduling Nightmare
The Club World Cup is also causing problems for national teams. For example, the Gold Cup—CONCACAF’s top international tournament—is being played at the same time in the U.S. But some of the USA’s top players, like Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, won’t be available because they’re with Juventus at the Club World Cup.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino (yes, the former PSG coach!) said he just has to deal with it. But others are frustrated.
📢 “International organisations like FIFA have increased the number of matches. Now we have a calendar that’s beyond saturation,” said Mathieu Moreuil of the Premier League..
FIFA
Match Tips & Stats: What to Watch for
Now let’s look at some fun football stats and betting tips related to the Club World Cup.
🟢 BTTS (Both Teams to Score)
With clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and PSG in the mix, we can expect high-quality attacking football. Many of these teams have BTTS records of over 60% in their recent European matches. That means both teams scored in more than half of their games.
✅ Tip: Matches like Man City vs Flamengo or Real Madrid vs Al Ahly are likely to see BTTS.
Over 2.5 Goals
With the level of talent on show, high-scoring games are expected. Teams like PSG and Chelsea often average more than 2.5 goals per game in their domestic leagues and Europe.
✅ Tip: Expect Over 2.5 Goals in most quarter-final and semi-final games, especially when European clubs face South American giants like Flamengo or Palmeiras.
🆚 Head-to-Head (H2H)
Because this is the first expanded edition of the Club World Cup, many of these teams haven’t played each other before. But we can look at recent performances in other tournaments:
Real Madrid vs Palmeiras would be a repeat of their close match in 2021, where Madrid won 2-0.
Man City vs Al Hilal is new, but City has never lost to an Asian side in international friendlies.
- FIFA
Is It Worth It?
While some coaches and players are excited—PSG boss Luis Enrique said it’s an “incredible competition”—others are worried. FIFA might be trying to make football more global, but the packed schedule is burning players out and hurting smaller competitions like the Gold Cup.
It’s clear that this tournament will change the game in many ways—maybe for better, maybe for worse.
One thing’s for sure: with goals flying, money flowing, and players tired, this summer’s Club World Cup will be one to remember. Just make sure to grab some popcorn, keep an eye on BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals, and enjoy the show!
FIFA
