FIFA President Gianni Infantino has assured international fans they will be welcomed to the United States for this summer’s expanded Club World Cup, despite concerns about the current political climate potentially deterring overseas visitors.
The tournament, featuring 32 professional teams from around the world, will run from June 15 to July 13 across 11 American cities. Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field will host several matches, including a quarterfinal on July 4. During a promotional event at the Eagles’ stadium, Infantino encouraged American reporters to “buy tickets” as plenty remain available.
“Everyone thinks that the country winning their own national or continental competition is the best in the world,” Infantino explained. “But that’s actually not the case. So we decided to create a real World Cup for teams.”
This revamped tournament serves as a precursor to next year’s FIFA World Cup, which will feature 48 national teams competing across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA has pledged $1 million to each host city for this summer’s Club World Cup and secured a $1 billion broadcast deal with DAZN.
The competition will feature elite European clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, alongside teams from South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. American representation comes from Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders.
Addressing security concerns, Infantino revealed he met with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to discuss visa arrangements and safety measures for international visitors. “The world loves America, whatever some might say,” Infantino stated. “The world will be welcomed.”
The tournament represents FIFA’s ambitious attempt to establish a truly global club competition and test the American market’s appetite for international soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup. While soccer’s popularity continues to grow in the United States, particularly with Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami, this expanded Club World Cup will measure whether American fans will embrace international club competitions beyond the familiar Champions League format.
