If you thought the World Cup was the only soccer party coming to the U.S., think again. The FIFA Club World Cup is set for a massive shakeup in 2025, and the United States will roll out the red carpet for 32 of the world’s biggest clubs. The tournament will turn heads from June 14 to July 13, playing out across 12 of the most recognizable stadiums in 11 cities and 10 states. For fans, it’ll feel like the world’s best teams are setting up camp in their backyard.
This isn’t the Club World Cup of years past. The old single-elimination format is gone. In its place? A knockout group extravaganza spread over 63 matches. That’s right – 32 top clubs, all confederations, clashing over a packed month. While there’s excitement in the air, players and coaches are already whispering about packed schedules and short breaks.
Let’s run through where all the drama will unfold. The opener lands in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, with the city’s palm trees serving as the backdrop. For the semifinals, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium gets the call, expected to be buzzing with its retractable roof and huge digital boards lighting up the scene. You can bet the energy will be electric.
When it’s time for the final, all eyes will turn to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. If that name sounds familiar, it’s also the future stage for the 2026 men’s World Cup final. This arena seats more fans than any other in the tournament—expect giant crowds and a huge media spotlight.
Los Angeles isn’t missing out, either. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena steps in, boasting its vintage vibe and a massive 92,000-seat capacity. Charlotte makes the list via the modern Bank of America Stadium, while Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium is ready to host group games featuring big names like FC Bayern München and Auckland City FC.
Other major cities—think Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, and Washington D.C.—are also on the map, though exact stadium details for some are still under wraps. Each will add its own local flavor, with fans from around the country joining in on a summer-long celebration.
This sweeping list makes the event easily the most geographically spread Club World Cup ever. Supporters will have more chances than ever to catch a game in their region — whether that’s under a glowing Miami sunset or the buzzing Seattle sky.
And it’s not just about the venues or the size. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has changed the script by inviting continental champions from the last four seasons. So, it’s not just a one-off cup winner, but a collection of recent champions battling it out. Manchester City, fresh off taking the 2023 title, steps in as defending champion. Every match could be a heavyweight showdown.
But with 63 games packed into a month, player fatigue and fixture congestion have become flashpoints. Groups like FIFPRO, the global player union, have already raised red flags, calling for sanity amid an ever-busier international calendar. Clubs are crunching numbers, worried about just how hard they’ll have to push their star players at the end of a long season.
Still, as schedules get tight and debates rage on, fans are in for a treat. There are more matches, more cities, and more chances for upsets. For anyone with an interest in soccer, this new format will be the talk of the summer—and a warm-up for that even bigger spectacle headed to the U.S. just a year later.
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