World football governing body, FIFA, is set to offer a staggering $1 billion in prize money for the upcoming Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025.
A source close to the negotiations confirmed this figure to AFP on Wednesday.
The massive prize pool surpasses the payouts of previous major FIFA tournaments, including the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar, which had a total prize fund of $440 million, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which awarded $110 million.
While FIFA has yet to disclose full details of the tournament’s financial structure, it has recently secured key broadcasting and sponsorship deals.
British streaming service DAZN acquired the exclusive global broadcasting rights for approximately €1 billion ($1.05 billion), while major sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics giant Hisense, and Belgian brewer AB InBev have also signed on.
The new 32-team format will see 12 European clubs competing alongside six from South America and four each from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America.
Auckland City and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have also secured spots in the competition. Elite clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City are expected to benefit significantly from the lucrative prize pool.
However, FIFA’s decision to expand the Club World Cup has sparked criticism. The global players’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues association have lodged a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of overburdening the football calendar and neglecting player welfare.
Meanwhile, the European Club Association (ECA) remains in discussions over prize distribution and solidarity payments for non-participating clubs.
The tournament will be played across 12 venues in 11 U.S. cities, culminating in the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which is also set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.