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Five reasons to get excited for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Here we go, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is here, kicking off today (Saturday in the US, Sunday morning in the UK) with Al Ahly vs Inter Miami in south Florida , signalling the official start to the the biggest club tournament on the planet.
All of which will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN, all for free.
In all, 32 clubs from around the world have descended on the United States to decide the best club side in the world over one month and 63 matches.
Here are five reasons to get excited for the FIFA Club World Cup, if you really needed them.
Bigger stakes
As noted, this year's edition will be the biggest version of the FIFA Club World Cup by far.
The tournament has been expanded to 32 teams, broadening the scope of the competition substantially.
That means more goals, more fans and more surprises as clubs must now get past an increased number of opponents in order to claim the ultimate prize.
It will feel more like a World Cup - and who doesn't love a World Cup? Clubs are representing their countries for global glory, as they must battle through both a group stage followed by knockout rounds to reach the final.
It is one thing to be crowned a European or South American winner, but to be a world champion at club level is another stature all together.
To add to the interest, 26 players competing in the US have already won the international World Cup, and are now aiming to become a rare breed of being a world champion at country and club level.
A rare sight in sport
Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images
The Club World Cup will provide something very rare in team sports - clubs from across continents going head-to-head.
We get to experience the Champions League, Copa Libertadores, et al every year, as teams from the same continents do battle.
Even at international level we only get to see pan-continental clashes every four years at the World Cup, select Copa America tournaments notwithstanding.
But this competition allows football fans to finally see different, exotic clubs play each other, showcasing how different tactics, skills and mentalities will play out.
Fans get to watch new and previously unknown players, coaches and personalities. Unfamiliar kits will be seen in all their glory of the American sun, while fans in the stadiums from across the globe will show off what makes their support unique and special.
It finally allows us to answer the great debates - who is best at football, Europeans or South Americans? Or the fantasy questions - who would win between Real Madrid and Boca Juniors?
We will now get these answers in this rare feast of football.
A 2026 World Cup preview
Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEW press via Getty Images
With the Club World Cup taking place in the United States, fans will get a pseudo preview of how the 2026 FIFA World Cup will unfold.
That's because the 2026 international tournament will be held mostly in the US, with games also in Canada and Mexico.
The CWC will use many of the same venues and host cities that are earmarked as hosts for the 2026 tournament. That includes the final venue itself, with the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosting both the CWC finale on July 13, 2025, and the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.
This will allow fans and players alike to get a feel for some of the spectacular stadiums that will be in use next year.
Messi Mania is nearing an end
(Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has been at the top of the footballing world for nearly two decades, winning everything there is to win in the game.
While he continues to dazzle for Inter Miami and Argentina, his playing days are unfortunately closer to the end than they are to the beginning.
Opportunities to watch Messi perform in major tournaments are rapidly shrinking, so catching a glimpse of the Argentine superstar at the Club World Cup should be on any fan's to-do list.
Can Man City defend their title?
PA
One of the biggest stories of this summer's competition will be Manchester City, the current Club World Cup holders, after winning their first title in 2023 .
City have emerged as one of the top clubs in the world over the past decade and are among the favourites to win this tournament.
However, this season has been a tough one for Pep Guardiola's men, which has seen them fail to win a trophy.... so far.
They spectacularly failed in their bid for a record-breaking fifth consecutive Premier League title, while they lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace and were knocked out of the Champions League early.
Given the way their campaign has gone, will City be able to lift themselves again to mount a credible title defence in an expanded tournament?
With four new signings made in the short Club World Cup transfer window, it feels like a summer of major rebuilding for the Manchester club. But with fresh faces and world class talent across the pitch a good showing in the US is very possible.
Could it signal a return to form ahead of their next Premier League campaign?
Lifting the trophy again, after the domestic season they have endured, would be an incredible turnaround and a remarkable Club World Cup story.
How to watch 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
DAZN is the host broadcaster of the 2025 Club World Cup, showing all 63 matches via the free DAZN App, available on smart TV's, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles and web browsers.
If you are already a DAZN subscriber or Freemium member, then the competition is part of your current membership.
To sign up for a free DAZN account now you only need an email address to register, with no hidden costs or fees. Just follow these instructions....
- Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
- On a laptop or PC visit www.DAZN.com/home
- Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
- Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google or Facebook options
- You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including all Club World Cup matches and content
- You can also upgrade to DAZN's premium Club World Cup service or a regular DAZN membership, should you then wish to
