The newly restructured FIFA Membership World Cup is scheduled to happen in the US this summer season from June 14 to July 13.
There have been main modifications to the match, which was beforehand held yearly with solely seven groups however will now characteristic 32 groups and happen each 4 years.
The match will characteristic 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, which means that previous winners equivalent to Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis, and Actual Madrid have secured their locations.
Extra European groups certified by means of UEFA’s rating system, although a restrict of two golf equipment per nation meant Liverpool missed out regardless of their sturdy displaying 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. Nevertheless, not like the World Cup, this match won’t embrace a third-place play-off. The ultimate is ready 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 are Lionel Messi and Inter Miami enjoying within the FIFA Membership World Cup?
A spot within the match is reserved for a membership from the host nation, and FIFA awarded this place to Inter Miami primarily based on their 2024 MLS Supporters’ Protect victory, given to the staff with one of the best regular-season report.
Though Inter Miami have been eradicated within the MLS playoffs and should not the league champions, their invitation has sparked debate, with some deciphering it as FIFA’s effort to make sure Lionel Messi’s participation in a match 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 match will probably be held throughout 12 stadiums in the US, one 12 months earlier than the nation co-hosts the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Matches will probably be performed in:
Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Charlotte: TQL Stadium
Cincinnati: Financial institution of America Stadium
Los Angeles: Rose Bowl Stadium
Miami: Exhausting 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 observe 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 at no cost. There may be additionally the potential for sublicensing to native free-to-air broadcasters.
Why is the FIFA Membership World Cup controversial?
FIFA is presently going through authorized motion from participant unions and leagues as a result of scheduling issues.
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 brazenly voiced issues concerning the rising variety of matches. The timing of the match is one other situation, 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 Ladies’s Euro 2025, which runs from July 2-27.