The newly restructured FIFA Membership World Cup is scheduled to happen in the USA this summer time from June 15 to July 13.
There have been main modifications to the event, which was beforehand held yearly with solely seven groups however will now function 32 groups and happen each 4 years.
The event will function golf equipment from all six soccer confederations: Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North and Central America (CONCACAF), South America (CONMEBOL), Oceania (OFC), and Europe (UEFA).
European golf equipment have been allotted 12 spots, the very best among the many confederations. Qualification was decided by membership performances within the Champions League over the previous 4 seasons, that means that previous winners equivalent to Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis, and Actual Madrid have secured their locations.
Further European groups certified via UEFA’s rating system, although a restrict of two golf equipment per nation meant Liverpool missed out regardless of their sturdy exhibiting within the 2022 Champions League.
Asia, Africa, and the North and Central American federations every have 4 allotted slots, whereas South America has six and Oceania has one.
How is the FIFA Membership World Cup structured?
The construction of the revamped Membership World Cup mirrors that of FIFA’s worldwide tournaments.
The 32 groups are break up into eight teams of 4, with every staff enjoying the others in a round-robin format.
The highest two from every group advance to the knockout levels. Nonetheless, not like the World Cup, this event is not going to embrace a third-place play-off. The ultimate is about for July 13, 2025.
32 golf equipment, one world champion.
The street to #FIFACWC glory kicks off in 100 days! 🗺️🇺🇸#TakeItToTheWorld
— FIFA Membership World Cup (@FIFACWC) March 6, 2025
Who’s participating within the FIFA Membership World Cup?
Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland Metropolis, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Group D: Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Chelsea, Membership Leon
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Purple Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester Metropolis, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Actual Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg
Why is Lionel Messi and Inter Miami enjoying within the FIFA Membership World Cup?
A spot within the event is reserved for a membership from the host nation, and FIFA awarded this place to Inter Miami based mostly on their 2024 MLS Supporters’ Protect victory, given to the staff with the very best regular-season file.
Though Inter Miami had been eradicated within the MLS playoffs and will not be the league champions, their invitation has sparked debate, with some decoding it as FIFA’s effort to make sure Lionel Messi’s participation in a event that has but to generate widespread pleasure.
🇧🇷🌟 pic.twitter.com/35tu7QRiRR
— FIFA Membership World Cup (@FIFACWC) March 18, 2025
The place will the FIFA Membership World Cup matches be performed?
The event can be held throughout 12 stadiums in the USA, one yr earlier than the nation co-hosts the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Matches can be performed in:
Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Charlotte: TQL Stadium
Cincinnati: Financial institution of America Stadium
Los Angeles: Rose Bowl Stadium
Miami: Onerous Rock Stadium (opening match)
Nashville: GEODIS Park
New Jersey: MetLife Stadium (closing match)
Orlando: Tenting World Stadium & Inter&Co Stadium
Philadelphia: Lincoln Monetary Area
Seattle: Lumen Area
Washington D.C.: Audi Area
The place to look at the FIFA Membership World Cup: TV channel, on-line stream
The streaming platform DAZN has secured unique broadcasting rights and can stream all 63 matches free of charge. There may be additionally the potential for sublicensing to native free-to-air broadcasters.
Why is the FIFA Membership World Cup controversial?
FIFA is at present dealing with authorized motion from participant unions and leagues on account of scheduling considerations.
Critics argue that the soccer calendar is turning into “oversaturated,” elevating dangers to participant security and well-being.
Some gamers, equivalent to Liverpool’s Alisson and Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri, have overtly voiced considerations concerning the rising variety of matches. The timing of the event is one other subject, as there are solely 5 weeks between the Membership World Cup closing and the beginning of the 2025-26 Premier League season on August 16.
The Membership World Cup additionally partially overlaps with the Girls’s Euro 2025, which runs from July 2-27.
