Why Gianni Infantino's new-look Club World Cup in the USA could turn into FIFA's worst nightmare this summer
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Confetti descends. Music blares. Fireworks shoot off into the New Jersey sky. A bespoke trophy made by Tiffany & Co. (unlockable with a key to make components move) is presented to the winning captain as throngs of fans, sponsors, and a massive global audience watch the victors celebrate.
![[The fully unlocked Club World Cup trophy, made by Tiffany & Co, was revealed in December]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/04/03/93699639-14236845-The_fully_unlocked_Club_World_Cup_trophy_made_by_Tiffany_Co_was_-a-4_1735961039727.jpg)
Somewhere, Gianni Infantino beams: his vision for a global tournament comprising the best club teams in the world is complete - a rousing success earning him plaudits and praise as the Club World Cup's new format goes off without a hitch. That's the dream, at least. The reality could be much more harsh by the time that trophy is held aloft on July 13 of this freshly-minted New Year.
![[Clubs like Esperance (L) and Auckland City (R) likely won't receive the €50million prize that was expected to be given to them for their participation in the Club World Cup in 2025]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/05/93700295-14236845-image-m-80_1735882946121.jpg)
The tournament's draw was held in Miami last month. A video message from President-elect Donald Trump greeted the audience which included the 45th president's daughter, Ivanka, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner - who is believed to have played a role in helping organize this event. Even the couple's son, Theodore, had the honor of drawing the first team in the tournament.
![[A Hisense branded VAR monitor at the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. Hisense is one of only three companies who have agreed to be sponsors for the Club World Cup this summer.]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/04/03/93700297-14236845-A_Hisense_branded_VAR_monitor_at_the_UEFA_Euro_2024_tournament_H-a-1_1735961038582.jpg)
But long before a ball is kicked in anger, a bevy of issues and concerns has sprung up around this tournament. Sponsorships are scant, it took forever for a television rights deal to be agreed, and dynamic pricing is set to make fans pay more than they'd hope for tickets to attend matches.
![[Additionally, Adidas and Coca-Cola are in legal battles with FIFA over their sponsorship deals]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/05/93700289-14236845-image-a-72_1735882860284.jpg)
Issues about money 'promised' to clubs, scheduling issues for some teams, controversy about the inclusion of one particular side, and fears over player safety and health could doom any future edition of this tournament. With only a few months remaining until the Club World Cup kicks off, FIFA has plenty of things to get right - or else a whole lot will go wrong.
![[FIFA officially announced DAZN as their television rights partner for the Club World Cup in December. Rumors suggest the company only paid one-fourth of FIFA's expected price.]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/03/05/93700293-14236845-image-a-70_1735882854501.jpg)
