<p>Official scheduling of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is beginning to take shape. The world’s governing body of the sport <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifa-names-united-states-as-host-of-2025-club-world-cup-20230623-WST-439198.html">previously announced</a> that the expanded tournament will be played in the United States. Now, according to <em><a href="https://theathletic.com/5208543/2024/01/18/club-world-cup-2025-us-gold-cup-location/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em>, a vast majority of the competition’s games are set to be played on the country’s east coast.</p>



<p>The decision was made for two specific reasons. First of all, the Eastern time zone in the United States is closer to Europe. This means that European soccer fans have a better chance of watching the competition, as opposed to if the tournament was on the other side of the States.</p>



<p>FIFA is attempting to accommodate Europeans due to their domination of the Club World Cup. Clubs from Europe have lifted the trophy in 16 of the 20 iterations (80%) of the competition. Only one team from outside of Europe has won the tournament since 2006. Brazilian side Corinthians topped <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> 1-0 in the 2012 version of the Club World Cup.</p>



<h2>Club World Cup and Gold Cup playing out simultaneously</h2>



<p>However, another significant reason for the scheduling involves the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/gold-cup-tv-schedule/">CONCACAF Gold Cup</a>. The Club World Cup has historically played out during winter months. FIFA revealed that the 2025 version is happening in the summer. This will directly conflict with the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup schedule. Not only are the tournaments at the same time. The United States is hosting both of the international tournaments.</p>



<p>To ease conflicts in scheduling, FIFA decided that the West Coast of the United States would host the majority of the Gold Cup. This will help ease potential logistical and stadium problems for both tournaments. The Club World Cup will take place from June 14th to July 6th. The Gold Cup, on the other hand, is set for a start date of June 15th and the final will be played on July 13. </p>



<p>CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani previously asserted that while the competitions will coincide, there are plans to stagger kickoff times. “You might have some overlaps in the group stage,” <a href="https://theathletic.com/5208543/2024/01/18/club-world-cup-2025-us-gold-cup-location/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Montagliani.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240118_WST_483985_Club-World-Cup-trophy-1-1200x670_7fcc5c1a.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-484023" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Club-World-Cup-trophy-1-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Club-World-Cup-trophy-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Club-World-Cup-trophy-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Club-World-Cup-trophy-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>“(We have to) make sure our kickoff times are coordinated. If you do it right, it’ll work. It’s up to us and FIFA to make sure it works, and our teams work well together, and I have no issues. We’re in those discussions already.”</p>



<p>With the Club World Cup on the east coast and the Gold Cup on the west in 2025, it shapes up fittingly that the following summer’s World Cup Final goes in the middle of the country. On Thursday, news broke that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/dallas-cowboys-stadium-gets-world-cup-final-says-uk-media-20240118-WST-483975.html">Dallas would be hosting the World Cup Final</a> when it comes to the United States, Canada and Mexico.</p>



<h2>Money motivates FIFA’s move to expand Club World Cup </h2>



<p>Besides moving the Club World Cup to the summer, FIFA is expanding the tournament to feature 32 teams. The competition has regularly featured just seven teams, one from each confederation and a host club. The move to expand the tournament, a competition that lacks widespread popularity, met extreme criticism.</p>



<p>FIFA’s move to increase the Club World Cup is another instance of the organization putting greed over player safety. Elite soccer players now regularly play over 60 total matches per year. Players, coaches, and health officials have since criticized the governing body for creating too many extra games.</p>



<p>France superstar Kylian Mbappe even recently <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mbappe-hints-that-nba-style-load-management-coming-to-soccer-20240117-WST-483820.html">hinted</a> that soccer stars may soon take a page from NBA players regarding load management. This means that fans may pay significant amounts of money to watch certain players, only for them to take matches off due to rest. While this would be unfortunate, few would blame the players for needing to take care of their bodies.</p>



<h2>Moving competition to summer affects an already hectic schedule</h2>



<p>Expanding and moving the Club World Cup to the summer also now messes up the international soccer calendar. While traditionally lasting just a week in the winter, the competition will now take place for about a month during a key period. The Gold Cup schedule for the summer of 2025 coincides with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/africa-cup-of-nations-final-dates-for-2025-edition-still-up-in-air-20240114-WST-483405.html">Africa Cup of Nations</a>.</p>



<p>Scheduling the Club World Cup during this timeframe will put certain players in a precarious situation. For instance, let’s assume that Gio Reyna wins the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a> (with either <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Borussia Dortmund</a> or another club). The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> star would then have to choose which competition he would rather play in.</p>



<p>Players historically tend to opt to play for their national team. This, however, would put a club in a difficult spot. It would also show FIFA that the Club World Cup is not exactly a priority for players. Nevertheless, a scenario like this could prove that players can call the shots, not the governing body.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Gold Cup and Club World Cup to divide and conquer US in 2025

The FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup are set to be played simultaneously in the United States during the summer of 2025.


<p>The United States is the host of the expanded 2025 Club World Cup. With 32 teams competing, it is by far the biggest edition of the tournament. Several of the competitors are already secured, including the last three Champions League winners in Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City.</p>



<p>Significantly, this makes the United States the potential home of a major soccer competition for five-straight years. The 2025 Club World Cup joins the 2024 Copa America, the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Those four are locked in. However, the United States remains in the running to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/07/world-cups-and-olympics-present-historic-opportunity-for-u-s/">host the 2027 Women’s World Cup</a>. FIFA confirms the host for that tournament in May 2024. Still, the United States, in a joint bid with Mexico, is one of four confirmed options for the competition.</p>



<p>FIFA named the United States as the host of the Club World Cup for its ability to host international events with limited issues. Moreover, FIFA wants to use the Club World Cup to maximize synergies with the following summer’s men’s World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said on several occasions that the 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in the tournament’s illustrious history. A record number of teams, and consequently games, will certainly make it <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/sports/soccer/2026-world-cup-format.html#:~:text=Infantino%20has%20predicted%20the%202026,for%20the%20Qatar%20World%20Cup." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the most profitable for FIFA</a>. Any way he can build domestic anticipation for that competition is important.</p>



<h2>Addition of 2025 Club World Cup is huge for United States</h2>



<p>This announcement is significant for the development of soccer in the United States. Major international teams playing here with some frequency. South American clubs like Brazil and Argentina will be here for a pair of summers. In 2028, top youth talents will play in the Olympics. However, clubs coming over brings a whole new energy. For example, the 2023 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">schedule of summer friendlies</a> in the United States features some of the biggest clubs. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Milan, Juventus and many more are featuring in friendlies. That includes a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-summer-series-ticket-details-announced-20230414-WST-428456.html">Premier League Summer Series</a>, with some clubs making the trip for the first time. </p>


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<p>The 2025 Club World Cup, though, is a competitive event, not just a casual summer friendly. With 32 teams competing, it will be unlike anything seen previously. That includes a massive 12 teams from UEFA that will compete in the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States. In terms of the rest of the breakdown, there are six CONMEBOL sides, four each from North America, Asia and Africa. One slot from OFC is also available. Rounding out the list is a representative from the host nation, the United States. In all likelihood, that will be the 2024 MLS Cup Champion.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/fifa-council/media-releases/fifa-council-appoints-united-states-as-host-of-new-and-expanded-fifa-club-world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA is yet to confirm dates</a> for the competition. Current Club World Cup tournaments take place in December or January. The governing body also stated it will meet with relevant stakeholders to confirm venues and scheduling. Given the association with the 2026 World Cup, the host venues for that competition could come into play for the 2025 Club World Cup. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; Just Pictures</em></p>


The United States is the host of the expanded 2025 Club World Cup. With 32 teams competing, it is by far the biggest tournament.

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