Why the Club World Cup Falls Short: Examining the Teams That Don’t Represent the Best

Gianni Infantino is excited. After becoming FIFA president in 2016, he envisioned a bigger and better Club World Cup. Instead of just a few matches in winter, he planned to bring together the best 32 clubs from around the world. Now, almost a decade later, his vision is about to kick off in the United States.

But is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Only eight of the teams are their country’s current champions. Big names, like the recent title holders from England or Spain, are missing. Of the six major global club championships, only half of the reigning champions made the cut. For example, Al Ahli, the newest Asian champions, will not be there, nor will Cruz Azul, the recent North American champions.

This brings up a critical question: should teams be rewarded for past achievements? Teams change quickly in football. For example, Urawa Red Diamonds won the 2022 Asian Champions League but have struggled since. Chelsea is here for winning the UEFA Champions League in 2021, yet they have finished low in the league since then.

Many clubs are included based on a ranking system that looks at their performance over the last five years. But this can lead to awkward situations. Take Juventus—they dominated Italian football a few years back but have faced a decline since then. Now they barely hold a top-four spot.

The selection process gets even murkier. Inter Miami qualified because they took the initiative to sign Lionel Messi; their actual performance has not earned them a spot. This seems unfair to clubs that have been consistently performing well.

Adding to the chaos, many teams changed coaches before the tournament. Fourteen of the 32 clubs switched head coaches in 2025. Some coaches will be leading their teams for the first time in this tournament. It raises doubts about how well teams can perform under pressure when they’re not life-long contributors to their squads.

While FIFA had to set up some qualifying criteria, it’s worth discussing the underlying concept of the tournament. Holding such an event with teams that may not genuinely qualify as the best raises questions. This tournament is set to occur every four years, a format mirroring the traditional World Cup. The financial impact might be significant for African clubs, but one has to wonder about the long-term effects of giving more money to already successful teams.

Moreover, consider the players. Many will come to this tournament at the end of grueling seasons, feeling fatigued. The emotional and physical demands during this time can be overwhelming. Although players are accustomed to international tournaments, club football operates differently. Clubs aren’t designed for peak form in June; they often face transitions and challenges at this point in the season.

In short, while FIFA has expanded this tournament to grow the game and make money, expecting it to be a top-tier event might lead to disappointment. This Club World Cup may not deliver the football brilliance that Infantino envisions.

For further insights on the Club World Cup, check out FIFA’s official page here.

Source link

FIFA Club World Cup, Premier League, Soccer