FIFA have demanded that all teams taking part in the Club World Cup in June and July take it seriously and treat the competition with respect.
And there is a major financial reason to do so too, given the money on offer to those teams taking part.
The 2025 tournament is the first of the newly expanded competition with 32 teams taking part. And it is being held in the off season, rather than during the winters as in previous years.
With domestic campaigns not long having ended, it was felt that some clubs might field weakened teams at the tournament, with a need to give first teamers a rest. But there is a huge financial reward for those teams taking part, that should make managers sit up and take notice.
Chelsea are taking pat in the tournament for the first time since 2021 and play their first game against Los Angeles FC on Monday, June 16. And the Blues could earn almost £100million if they go all the way.
The top two teams from each of the eight groups reach the last 16 with the winners needing to navigate seven matches to get their hands on the trophy in mid-July.
The prize pot of £774million is being split between the 32 teams with a £406million participation fee shared based on sporting and commercial criteria, and £368million shared based on sporting performance.
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The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world’s best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.
Clubs get £1.475million per win in the group stage, with around £737,000 per draw in the group stage.
A total of £5.5million is handed out for reaching the last 16, with £9.7million up for grabs for making it to the quarter-finals. Semi-finalists get £15.5million, with the tournament runners-up receiving £22.1million.
The overall winners will pocket £29.5million, meaning Chelsea would scoop just over £64million by winning all their group games and going all the way to lifting the trophy.
FIFA are set to share another £200million with clubs across the world as solidarity payments.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “The FIFA Club World Cup will not only be the pinnacle of club football, but also a vivid demonstration of solidarity that will benefit clubs at large to a scale that no other competition has ever done.
“All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs and via club solidarity across the world as FIFA will not keep a single dollar.
“FIFA’s reserves, which are there for global football development, will remain untouched.”
