The expanded Membership World Cup begins in 100 days, with the 32-team match going down in the USA from June 14.
It’s the first time the membership version of the World Cup will mirror the nationwide crew model of the match. There have been worries in regards to the extra workload on gamers — FIFPro and the World Leagues Affiliation threatened authorized motion in Might final yr. There are additionally considerations over excessive ticket costs.
FIFA introduced there will likely be $1billion (£775m) in prize cash for the Membership World Cup, which will likely be distributed amongst all 32 golf equipment. FIFA president Gianni Infantino mentioned, “All income generated by the match will likely be distributed to the collaborating golf equipment and through membership solidarity the world over, as FIFA is not going to preserve a single greenback.”
So how do the golf equipment themselves really feel in regards to the match? The Athletic has approached groups and senior figures at golf equipment for his or her perspective on the competitors. Fifteen of the groups concerned responded to our enquiries. Until in any other case famous, these spoken to did so beneath the situation of anonymity as they didn’t have permission to talk.
Right here, we share their views on the Membership World Cup.
Chelsea (England)
Chelsea have been taking the match significantly for a very long time.
The primary indication was the choice to half methods final Might with head coach Mauricio Pochettino as a result of they didn’t need any uncertainty over the function going into the Membership World Cup. Pochettino was given solely a two-year take care of an possibility for an additional 12 months in 2023. His alternative, Enzo Maresca, was handed a five-year deal.
Senior gamers who departed on mortgage within the January window, together with Joao Felix and Renato Veiga, have clauses that imply they’ll return earlier than it begins (mortgage agreements usually final till June 30), giving Chelsea the strongest squad potential.
Chelsea haven’t agreed a front-of-shirt sponsor for this season however consider being on show in America will help their bargaining place in ongoing talks with events. Additionally they see it as a genuinely good alternative to win some silverware.
Simon Johnson
Seattle Sounders (U.S.)
The Sounders take a look at the Membership World Cup as a “generational” alternative. After enjoying within the 2022 Membership World Cup in Morocco, Seattle see this match as a showcase for town, the fanbase and the membership.
With an opportunity to play in entrance of their house supporters in opposition to Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, the Sounders consider it’s a uncommon alternative to showcase themselves as a marquee franchise in MLS and one of many prime golf equipment within the Americas.
Seattle may also host a number of video games on the 2026 World Cup, together with a U.S. males’s nationwide crew group-stage recreation, and consider the tournaments are an opportunity to promote town’s assist for soccer throughout the globe. In a approach, it’s placing the Sounders within the store window for potential gamers and new followers.
Paul Tenorio
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Al Ahly are wanting ahead to the match and wish to current themselves to a wider viewers, particularly contemplating they are going to open the match in opposition to Inter Miami.
The report 12-time CAF Champions League winners wish to face the perfect groups on the planet and think about the Membership World Cup as a chance to check themselves in opposition to completely different opponents on the worldwide stage — much like the earlier variations of the competitors the place they completed in third place on 4 events. It’s additionally a studying expertise off the sphere because the match will permit the membership to work together and join with groups from world wide.
Al Ahly rejoice successful the CAF Champions League (Fadel Senna/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Collaborating within the Membership World Cup is considered as a crowning of Al Ahly’s home and continental achievements prior to now couple of years.
Even when their possibilities of successful the entire thing are slim, they’re heading to the U.S. to do their greatest.
Ahmed Walid
Wydad AC (Morocco)
For Wydad, the Membership World Cup represents a chance in some ways. The primary and most blatant is cash: final yr, 30 per cent of their income got here from collaborating within the CAF Champions League, however this yr they didn’t qualify, so a monetary hole wanted to be crammed. The roughly $50million (£39m) they are going to earn only for collaborating within the Membership World Cup will plug that hole after which some.
That cash will, they hope, permit them to shut the hole barely with European groups on participant buying and selling. In the event that they negotiate with a possible signing and a European crew made any form of provide, they merely couldn’t compete. With this extra revenue, they hope this can change. They give the impression of being to the basketball arm of their membership, which may appeal to American gamers as a result of there may be much less of a monetary disparity between them and a few European golf equipment.
Apparently, they might additionally parlay their look on the Membership World Cup right into a dialog about being a part of a multi-club possession group. So far, European-based fashions, similar to Crimson Bull or Metropolis Soccer Group, have principally proven little curiosity in buying an African membership for a wide range of causes — sporting, financial, organisational — however the hope is {that a} first rate displaying at this match may make them extra enticing as a takeover goal.
Nick Miller
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
When Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was nominated for the Yashin Award on the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2024, he informed The Athletic that the Membership World Cup “…will help individuals realise the hole isn’t fairly as large because it appears”.
He wasn’t referring to non-Africans. As an alternative, he believes the competitors will help gamers from his continent realise how gifted they’re.
To say Williams is happy about travelling to the USA is an understatement. “We are able to’t wait to be part of it, to attempt to open doorways for African soccer,” he mentioned.
Sundowns have turn out to be one of the crucial talked-about golf equipment in Africa over the previous decade because of funding from mining tycoon Patrice Motsepe, who can be the president of the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF). Whereas the membership have received 9 of the final 11 South African Premiership titles, they’ve solely lifted one CAF Champions League trophy, again in 2016.
The Membership World Cup has been excessive on their agenda for a while, with weekly conferences centred on media engagement and ticketing.
The U.S. offers Sundowns the chance to globalise their model in new markets. With a major African diaspora within the U.S., Sundowns hope to have interaction new followers who can establish with the membership’s story in addition to the skills of their gamers.
Simon Hughes
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Palmeiras are nonetheless ready on readability for sure parts of the match — like how the prize cash will likely be distributed. However they’re understanding, given it’s the first version of the match, they usually have been impressed by how shortly FIFA have responded to their different queries.
The membership view it as an essential match each in sporting and advertising and marketing phrases, given the worldwide visibility. They’re aiming to benefit from the chance commercially and have labored on their squad in a bid to go far within the match.
Mario Cortegana
Fluminense (Brazil)
Fluminense misplaced 4-0 in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the closing of the Membership World Cup in 2023 however are animated by the chance to check themselves in opposition to different international heavyweights.
The membership don’t count on an enormous surge in sponsorship revenue — there are strict guidelines governing the variety of model logos seen on shirts, for example — however count on to reap extra oblique advantages from elevated worldwide model recognition.
Fluminense will likely be competing within the match (Buda Mendes/Getty Photographs)
The prospect of a showpiece match in opposition to Borussia Dortmund, plus the lifelike risk that Fluminense will progress from a reasonably weak group (Sundowns and South Korean aspect Ulsan are their different opponents), additionally proved to be a giant draw with switch targets within the final Brazilian low season.
Jack Lang
Botafogo (Brazil)
“It has been a few years since Botafogo have competed on a worldwide stage,” John Textor, the bulk proprietor and chairman of Eagle Soccer Holdings Restricted, Botafogo’s main shareholder, tells The Athletic. “So the prospect to play the perfect groups on the planet, within the largest media market on the planet, is extremely essential as we attempt to reestablish our popularity among the many world’s best golf equipment.
“Our followers are excited, too, for these exact same causes. Our membership is named ‘probably the most conventional’ and ‘the wonderful’ based mostly on its historic popularity as a ‘grandfather’ of Brazilian soccer, in order that they have yearned for the return of our membership to a place of world prominence. We’re simply beginning to rebuild that popularity, forgotten for a few years, and this chance in the USA is step one. Fact be informed, our followers will count on way more. They count on us to win.
“It’s an enormous story in Brazil. 4 large golf equipment, all collaborating in opposition to the perfect on the planet… it’s been a few years since Brazil has seen such a chance.”
Matt Slater
Flamengo (Brazil)
Jose Boto, Flamengo’s director of soccer, informed The Athletic: “Flamengo views the creation of the brand new Membership World Cup with nice enthusiasm and congratulates FIFA for this initiative, which is a milestone within the evolution of world soccer. Bringing collectively the perfect golf equipment on the planet in an progressive format is a good step in the direction of additional strengthening membership soccer and offering a novel expertise for gamers and followers.
“For us, it’s an honour and a privilege to have the chance to characterize Brazil and South American soccer at this occasion. We’re assured that the USA, with its world-class sporting infrastructure, will provide trendy and optimum amenities for the competitors, offering all the required situations for a match of the best stage.
“The historical past of internet hosting main occasions, such because the 1994 World Cup and numerous editions of the Olympic Video games, is a benchmark of attendance and public enthusiasm on U.S. soil. As well as, the proximity of the 2026 World Cup additional reinforces the curiosity and development of soccer within the area.
“We consider this version of the Membership World Cup will likely be an absolute success, each by way of infrastructure and viewers, additional consolidating soccer as a really international phenomenon.”
Mario Cortegana
Manchester Metropolis (England)
Metropolis are embracing the revamped format and the prospect so as to add a brand new trophy to their assortment.
Though extra video games appear to be the very last thing they want this season, the cash concerned appeals to the extra financially minded members of the hierarchy, whereas Guardiola’s stance is much like his outlook on pre-season excursions: he and his gamers will go wherever the membership want them to.
As soon as they’re there, they’ll attempt to win.
Sam Lee
Actual Madrid (Spain)
The board at Actual Madrid are typically in favour of the Membership World Cup, however president Florentino Perez, head coach Carlo Ancelotti and a few gamers have highlighted their considerations over the calendar. They have been additionally stunned by how late the dates have been confirmed, together with venues and who they’d face.
Nonetheless, they issued a press release in June final yr after Ancelotti expressed his doubts in an interview: “At no time has Actual Madrid questioned its participation within the new Membership World Cup to be organised by FIFA. Our membership will play, as deliberate, this official competitors that we face with delight to make our hundreds of thousands of followers world wide dream once more with a brand new title.”
Madrid are the Champions League holders (Thomas Coex/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Regardless of their doubts, they think about the match to be crucial for advertising and marketing and funds. In the event that they win the ultimate, it could possibly be price round €100million (£84m; $108m) to them. Madrid even have a superb relationship with FIFA.
For the reason that pandemic, all of Actual’s pre-seasons have taken place within the U.S. and it’s undoubtedly the market that pulls and pursuits them probably the most.
Mario Cortegana
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Bayern are actually fashionable within the U.S. and are wanting ahead to spending time straight with their followers and fan teams over there — they’ve places of work in America, so there’s a giant alternative to indicate their greatest face in a aggressive atmosphere. Given German soccer’s restrictions and the staging of aggressive video games overseas being a non-starter, this can be a uncommon probability to do one thing completely different.
There’s some trepidation in regards to the match’s reputation and a little bit of bewilderment over the timing of their video games — a few them kick off at 3am CEST, which hardly fits their home followers. There have already been murmurs of discontent from extremely teams in response to that scheduling in addition to among the exorbitant ticket costs being charged.
Bayern are braced for pressure. Taking part in in entrance of long-distance followers is one factor, however taking aggressive matches away from season ticket holders and pricing them out of attending is a brand new problem for German soccer and one that won’t be resolved quietly.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Sources near the hierarchy at Paris Saint-Germain admit the organisation behind the Membership World Cup has not been good, however they assume it’s a constructive for soccer’s ecosystem. There’s additionally a perception that it might be the unsuitable match to focus on over workload considerations. The Membership World Cup already exists — it’s only being revamped — and it’s only going to run each 4 years.
There’s additionally positivity over the take care of DAZN and the addition of latest business companions — and the potential redistribution of cash from the match. For PSG, the revenue will likely be considerably larger than what could be generated from a pre-season tour.
Nonetheless, there are considerations over filling the stadiums within the U.S. Sources at PSG hope there will likely be a major push — probably even involving President Donald Trump — to shift tickets earlier than the match kicks off. In all, it’s considered by these near the hierarchy as a possible cherry on the cake for the season.
Mario Cortegana
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Financially, the Membership World Cup comes at a handy time for Dortmund. They sit tenth within the Bundesliga and solely have an outdoor hope of enjoying Champions League soccer — and benefiting from its riches — subsequent season. The payday FIFA is promising the collaborating golf equipment will likely be invaluable, then, significantly with the squad because of endure a significant rebuild in the summertime
Socially, it’s a chance. Dortmund are amongst a bunch of golf equipment on the prime of German soccer who consider that the home recreation ought to be doing extra to develop itself and that different groups within the division ought to be spending extra time in fertile markets, together with the USA. And, given there is no such thing as a hope in any respect of ever enjoying Bundesliga video games outdoors Germany — fan energy makes that not possible — this will likely be as shut because the membership will get to having the ability to export an genuine model of themselves.
How profitable will the match be? The membership aren’t certain. Kick-off occasions are inconvenient for German supporters and it’s unclear what sort of traction the competitors can have with U.S. supporters.
One unusual technical element so as to add: Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is on mortgage at Dortmund, however that deal — supplied it isn’t made everlasting — will expire between the tip of the Bundesliga season and the beginning of this match. He has began promisingly in Germany, with just a few thrilling cameos, however that is probably not related in Dortmund by the summer season.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Atletico Madrid (Spain)
The Membership World Cup is seen as a giant alternative — on a lot of completely different ranges.
Senior figures at Atletico have been very proud to have certified, particularly qualifying forward of Barcelona as one of many two golf equipment concerned from La Liga, and consider it demonstrates the membership is a part of the European elite.
Atletico see the Membership World Cup as a giant alternative (Denis Doyle/Getty Photographs)
Final summer season’s €200million funding in new gamers — together with €75m for Argentine World Cup winner Julian Alvarez and €42m on England worldwide Conor Gallagher — was additionally made understanding {that a} deep squad could be required for what was going to be a really lengthy season for Diego Simeone’s aspect.
Membership CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin and president Enrique Cerezo attended December’s attract Miami and Atletico are very eager to advertise the membership model within the U.S., having visited in pre-season commonly in latest summers.
Gil Marin and Cerezo will in all probability promote their majority stake inside the subsequent 5 years. Atletico are part-owned by U.S. funding supervisor Ares Administration Company, which elevated its share final summer season. Successful a prestigious worldwide match on American soil would make the membership much more worthwhile to consumers.
Dermot Corrigan
Crimson Bull Salzburg (Austria)
The membership’s particular person strategy could be higher mirrored via the prism of the Crimson Bull community as an entire, for whom the U.S. is a giant footballing focus.
Final summer season, RB Leipzig have been delighted with the reception they acquired round their video games in New York and Miami, the place they performed Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers and held a variety of teaching seminars and activation occasions. It was the primary time the membership had toured outdoors Europe and given the ideological opposition and cynicism they face domestically, the U.S. sports activities tradition — mixed with Crimson Bull’s present presence in MLS and throughout worldwide sport — is a neater atmosphere by which to function.
Anticipate Salzburg to embrace these alternatives in a lot the identical approach. They haven’t had a straightforward season and won’t be a lot of an element within the match itself — a bunch with Al Hilal, Pachuca and Actual Madrid seems robust — however there’s loads of enthusiasm about exporting the model.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Inter Miami (United States)
Since signing Lionel Messi, proprietor Jorge Mas has spoken in regards to the membership’s ambition to turn out to be a worldwide model. The worldwide proliferation of pink Inter Miami jerseys is a testomony to the progress made.
The Membership World Cup provides an opportunity to place the precise soccer product on a stage for the world to see.
“It’s a troublesome group that presents challenges, however I’m very hopeful to compete,” Mas mentioned final yr. “ match for the crew could be to make it out of the group stage and compete. Our first goal is to make it out of the group stage after which compete with those that qualify to the following spherical.”
Messi acknowledged the worth of the match for a league and a crew which might be nonetheless attempting to achieve respect within the eyes of the world.
“This is essential for the membership, particularly, to take part for the primary time in a World Cup that can happen within the nation and for MLS to have two groups is a superb factor,” Messi mentioned in an interview with Apple Music. “All the pieces that’s occurring creates a chance for MLS to continue to grow in soccer, as a league, and for different gamers to have the chance to come back and continue to grow.
“Soccer is completely different from the sports activities they’re accustomed to watching within the U.S. and it ought to be managed in a different way. It’s a distinct sport and this is a chance to alter the chip, to shift, and for MLS to proceed maturing.”
Paul Tenorio
(High picture: Brennan Asplen/Getty Photographs)