On Sunday, two of the most renowned soccer teams in the world, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), will collide in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It’s a remarkable event, not only for the significance of the match but also for its location, bringing this global spectacle to North American soil.
This final serves as a precursor to an even larger event on the horizon: the FIFA World Cup set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer. This Club World Cup promises to be a pivotal moment, marking a potential turning point for soccer in the U.S. as the continent prepares for the historic event.
The upcoming FIFA World Cup, hosted in North America for the first time since 1994, brings with it incredible economic and logistical ramifications. A report by Pitch Marketing Group estimates this will be the most lucrative sports tournament ever, with FIFA’s revenue projected to exceed a staggering $10 billion, driven by an expanded format that sees the number of participating teams rise from 32 to 48.
Before the fireworks of the World Cup, soccer fans can enjoy this summer’s Club World Cup, set to take place in major metro areas, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Instead of national teams, this tournament features elite club teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid, adding a special flavor to the matchup between Chelsea and PSG.
Though the Club World Cup has existed since 2000, it has recently undergone significant changes, expanding from seven to an impressive 32 teams. With a total prize pool of $1 billion, the stakes have never been higher, especially as Sunday’s victor stands to take home up to $125 million.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino eagerly anticipates this tournament as a herald of “a new era for club soccer.” He expressed a strong desire to elevate soccer’s status to that of the number one sport in America, emphasizing that the organization is willing to invest heavily to achieve this goal.
At a recent press event in New York, Infantino stated, “It was important to organize this new FIFA Club World Cup here in the U.S. Our objective is to make soccer the No. 1 sport in America. And we’ll put in whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Fans attending Tuesday’s semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense at MetLife Stadium couldn’t help but share Infantino’s optimism. “This is the first competitive club tournament in North America, and it brings atmosphere,” remarked Ben Doran, a lifelong English soccer fan now residing in New Jersey. Doran’s excitement was evident as his son, Quinn, donned a Chelsea jersey while he proudly showcased the colors of his local team, Derby County.
Others echoed the sentiment, noting the vibrant energy that the tournament has injected into the region. Andre, a Fluminense supporter who journeyed from Rio de Janeiro, said, “Today we were at Times Square seeing people cheering. It’s amazing.”
Yet, much of the intrigue surrounding the tournament lies in assessing the readiness of the U.S. to host the FIFA World Cup next summer, an event expected to captivate billions worldwide. Adam Crafton, a sports writer for The Athletic, commented, “If you ask FIFA … it’s epic, it’s incredible, and it’s unprecedented.” He cautioned, however, that “the reality is probably more nuanced,” highlighting concerns over attendance and other logistics.
Despite some concerns about attendance during the group matches, particularly with lower-profile clubs competing, Crafton noted that the tournament has largely exceeded expectations. The average attendance of 35,000 at group stage games bodes well, especially as the tournament progressed towards the finals, drawing in larger crowds.
FIFA reported over 2.3 million fans from 180 countries participating in the tournament leading up to Sunday’s final. Manolo Zubiria, the chief tournament officer for the 2026 World Cup, expressed satisfaction with these early figures, stating, “It’s been a really, really positive note for this tournament.”
As the matches drew key brands like PSG and Real Madrid, attendance rose dramatically, with the semifinals filling MetLife Stadium to near capacity, reaching 70,000 and 77,000 fans.
However, the sweltering heat has posed a challenge at times, with FIFA implementing strategies like cooling breaks during matches and providing shaded areas for fans. Still, some spectators, like a father from Rio de Janeiro, expressed concern for the well-being of older fans amidst the high temperatures.
Additionally, the backdrop of U.S. immigration policies has sparked discussions about potential implications for international fans attending the matches. Concerns were raised regarding how Immigration and Customs Enforcement would treat fans at the games. While FIFA reported no notable issues related to these policies, the atmosphere of intimidation could discourage attendance from certain groups.
Another contentious issue has emerged around FIFA’s dynamic ticket pricing. Tickets for the Chelsea versus Fluminense semifinal saw substantial reductions, which elicited mixed reactions. Some felt vindicated by the lower prices, while others voiced frustration over perceived unfairness.
Overall, the economic impact of both the Club World Cup and the upcoming FIFA World Cup is expected to be massive, with projections estimating a combined financial effect of $47 billion on the U.S. economy. Amidst this growth, American interest in soccer has surged, with viewership of top leagues growing by 60% since 2018, a promising sign for the sport’s future.
The privilege of witnessing such high-level competition is not lost on young fans either. Fifth-grader Mohamed Berkouk, who moved to the U.S. from Algeria, expressed his excitement, stating, “In my country, you don’t have big opportunities like this. It’s just small teams that you just go and watch. But this is much bigger.”
In the heart of Manhattan, Jack Keane, managing partner of the Football Factory, reflects on the evolution of American soccer culture over the years. “The interest today is unrecognizable compared to the 1990s,” he noted. “In those days, 95 to 99% of viewers were expats. Now, it’s a diverse mix of fans, with young Americans eager to embrace the sport.”
This energy is palpable among the youngest fans as well, like 9-year-old Catarina, who shared how deeply soccer is woven into her culture in Brazil. “In Rio de Janeiro, it’s kind of in everybody’s blood,” she said, adding with a grin, “I went to my first game when I was just months old!”
