<p>Orlando, Florida, is a mecca for tourists, and soon, it will be a destination for soccer fans as they descend on the city for a major sporting event: FIFA Club World Cup 2025. </p>



<p>At next summer’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/club-world-cup/">FIFA Club World Cup</a>, Orlando will host six games, including four Group Stage matches, one Round of 16 game, and one Quarterfinal. Orlando’s four Group Stage matches are Juventus vs. Manchester City (June 26), Club Leon vs. Flamengo (June 24), Benfica vs. Auckland (June 20), and Ulsan vs. Mamelodi Sundowns FC (June 17).</p>



<p>Orlando is one of eleven cities hosting the Club World Cup next summer, but “O-Town” is the only city to host games at two different stadiums — the sprawling Camping World Stadium, which has a capacity of 60,000, and the 25,000-seater Inter&amp;Co Stadium.</p>



<p>It’s not just soccer matches that Orlando is hosting either, as Jason Siegel, President and CEO of the <a href="https://greaterorlandosports.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greater Orlando Sports Commission</a> explained to <em>World Soccer Talk</em> during an exclusive interview.</p>



<h2>Soccer is rocket fuel for the Orlando area</h2>



<p>“We’ve made international soccer a top priority to become part of the DNA of our community, especially in our sports ecosystem,” explained Siegel. “To have an international stage and a spotlight shone on us, this opportunity to host clicks two boxes. </p>



<p>“Certainly the sports ecosystem and what we’re trying to do to stimulate economic impact and development, no question. But also with our tourism partners — the theme parks, hoteliers, and restauranteurs — to get the added exposure that will be organically generated by hosting an event of this size with the international scope is significant.”</p>



<p>How significant? Before the draw was announced, Siegel conservatively estimated that the economic impact of the Club World Cup on Orlando would be in the neighborhood of $70-90 million. And that’s before taking into consideration the FIFA World Cup, which will have a considerably greater economic impact on the area.</p>



<p>Aside from soccer, Orlando has plenty of other new entertainment planned. Universal Studios is opening a new theme park in May 2025 called <em>Epic Universe</em>. It’ll feature five new immersive worlds including <em>Super Nintendo World</em>.</p>



<p>Furthermore, Camping World Stadium has a string of concerts planned before the Club World Cup kicks off. Those include Shakira (June 4), Post Malone (June 10), and Stray Kids (June 14).</p>



<p>“We’re going to have a busy 2025 and an equally busy 2026,” said Siegel. “If you take a look at our typical visitation [numbers] during the months of June and July, we see somewhere in the neighborhood of 600,000 to 700,000 additional visitors coming to the marketplace. So it’d be a great time to have all the excitement going on at the same time on the sports side of things too.”</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="FIFA 2025 Club World Cup Draw Show Highlights" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1JAFwH7oBok?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>Orlando talks with Brazil officials</h2>



<p>Looking further ahead to 2026, Siegel is keeping his fingers crossed that Brazil may be enticed to set up its training base camp in Orlando.</p>



<p>“If Brazil were to have their [pre-World Cup 2026] base camp here that would be a significant bump-up from what other cities may or may not be able to drive on our behalf.”</p>



<p>Siegel said that Greater Orlando Sports Commission executives have had great conversations with Brazilian officials. Ultimately, if Brazil qualifies for the competition, the training site decision rests with the CBF (Confederation of Brazilian Football), but Orlando would be an ideal location for many reasons.</p>



<p>First, Florida is home to the largest Brazilian population in the United States. Of those living in Orlando, the Brazilian embassy to the United States estimates it’s as many as 190,000. Second, Orlando is a favorite destination for Brazilians. In 2023, 696,000 of them visited Orlando on vacation, representing a 21% increase from the previous year. Third, Orlando has a long list of training sites to choose from that are regularly used by visiting clubs and national teams.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="United 2026 FIFA World Cup Announcement Coverage" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDBJojxw8DY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>Orlando investing in soccer</h2>



<p>Furthermore, there are more soccer plans in the works.</p>



<p>“In 2025, we anticipate the FC Series, [organized by] our friends over at Florida Citrus Sports, will also host as they have many times before some Premier League [friendlies], so you’d have the lead-in being Club World Cup [before the FC Series games happen later in the summer],” Siegel noted.</p>



<p>Camping World Stadium is often used as one of the host stadiums for the FC Series of international friendlies. </p>



<p>Looking further ahead, Orlando is investing $400 million in improvements to prepare the stadium for 2026.</p>



<p>From World Cup 1994 to the home of Orlando City SC in MLS, Orlando has a rich history of successfully hosting major soccer games and tournaments. Take your pick from current NWSL Championship winners Orlando Pride to US Soccer internationals and pre-season games, Orlando has seen it all. </p>



<p>No doubt, the future for Orlando and soccer looks bright in the Sunshine State with the Club World Cup just over seven months away.</p>



<p>“The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 offers a unique opportunity to showcase Orlando on the global stage and forge connections with fans and worldwide,” concluded Siegel. “We are honored to work with FIFA to deliver a truly unforgettable experience for all and leave a lasting legacy in our community.”</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / Pond5 Images</em></p>

Orlando bullish on FIFA Club World Cup plans for city

The city of Orlando, Florida is bullish on its plans to host the world's elite at the Club World Cup and World Cup 2026.

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<p>Wednesday’s friendly between the USA men’s national team and Brazil at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL, may have a record crowd. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> has played in front of massive audiences in the United States. Games at the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles Coliseum, MetLife Stadium and AT&amp;T Stadium rank as some of the biggest. </p>



<p>However, in Florida, the attendance record for USMNT games is about to shatter. There are limited tickets available for the game. Yet, those sales have already surpassed the current record of 52,033. There is a chance the United States could surpass 60,000 in attendance. Camping World Stadium has a capacity of 60,219. With so many fans looking to grab tickets, USMNT fans in Orlando have been waiting for a long time to see the side in action. The last time the United States played at Camping World Stadium was January 24, 1998. Back then, 12,773 fans showed up for a World Cup tune-up before the 1998 World Cup with a one-goal win over Sweden.</p>



<p>Much of the intrigue for this game comes from the opponent, though. The United States may have a dreadful record against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a>. The USMNT has played the five-time World Cup winners 19 times. It has just one win to go along with 18 losses. Yet, with a star-studded squad that will feature Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eder Militao and other top talents, Americans have an opportunity to see one of the best teams in the world. Brazil previously played at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. Yet, before that friendly, it had been six years since the South American nation featured in the United States.</p>



<p>Unfortunately for those in Florida, Kyle Field in Texas drew 85,249 fans with a larger stadium. Camping World Stadium will not be able to surpass that figure. Regardless, Wednesday’s game is a great opportunity for fans to show out in force.</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_20240611_WST_511095_Weah-Colombia-1200x670_e1178e44.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-511121" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Weah-Colombia-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Weah-Colombia-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Weah-Colombia-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Weah-Colombia.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Major task for USA in front of record crowd against Brazil</h2>



<p>Not only will the record crowd against Brazil put pressure on the USA. This is the last chance for the USMNT to find its footing before the Copa America. Previously, Colombia humiliated the United States with a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usa-lose-5-1-crushing-to-colombia-worst-loss-under-berhalter/">5-1 drubbing in Landover, MD</a>. Therefore, the United States wants to enter the tournament this summer with some form of confidence. </p>



<p>A winning result against Brazil can boost the feeling around the team both inside and outside. Many fans, including many of those who will be in attendance at Camping World Stadium, are starting to criticize the USMNT before a pivotal stretch for the team. By no means is the United States the favorite to win the tournament, but fans certainly have expectations for some form of success. </p>



<p>Playing Brazil, in addition to the friendly against Colombia, sheds light on where the team stands before the Copa America. Proving itself in front of a record crowd in Orlando can be a major boost. At the same time, the game runs the risk of throwing more issues into the side.</p>



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

USA prepares for a record crowd against Brazil in Florida

Wednesday's friendly between the USA men's national team and Brazil at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL, may have a record crowd.

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Orlando bullish on FIFA Club World Cup plans for city

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USA prepares for a record crowd against Brazil in Florida