July 12, (THEWILL) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the expanded 32-team Club World Cup a resounding triumph this Saturday, just hours before the final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the United States.
The tournament, which faced early criticism for its intense schedule and the searing American heat, saw its financial viability strongly defended by the football governing body’s chief.
Despite numerous matches not selling out, Infantino expressed satisfaction with overall attendance.
Speaking from FIFA’s new offices in Trump Tower on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, Infantino proclaimed the advent of a “golden age of club football.”
He reported that the competition generated nearly $2.1 billion in revenue across 63 matches, averaging $33 million per game.
Infantino asserted that this revenue per match is unmatched by any other club competition globally, thereby establishing the Club World Cup as the planet’s most financially robust club tournament.
The tournament attracted significant opposition, notably from former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who famously labelled it “the worst idea ever implemented in football.”
However, Infantino refuted claims of widespread European disapproval.
He noted that participating teams were pleased with their involvement, and even clubs that failed to qualify contacted FIFA to inquire about future entry requirements, contradicting the perception of broad European disinterest.
Infantino acknowledged the absence of major European footballing powerhouses such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Tottenham, AC Milan, and Napoli.
He clarified that participation is strictly dependent on qualification through established pathways. Looking ahead, the next Club World Cup is scheduled for 2029, though Infantino declined to confirm whether the tournament might become a biennial event or further expand its number of teams.
Concluding his remarks, the FIFA president emphasised the lasting impact of this new competition format.
He stated: “We created something new, something which is here to stay, something which is changing the landscape of club football.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
