Infantino celebrates the Club World Cup as a success: Trump and Klopp in focus!

Infantino celebrates the Club World Cup as a success: Trump and Klopp in focus!

In Trump Tower in New York, on July 12, 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanks US President Donald Trump for his support during the Club World Cup. According to Infantino, this support was crucial to the execution of the tournament, which brings together 32 teams, as well as the upcoming World Cup with 48 national teams that will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States. “The Club World Cup is the most successful club competition in the world,” emphasizes Infantino proudly. The event attracts an impressive 2.5 million spectators for a total of 63 games, an average of 40,000 fans per game.

But it's not just the viewer numbers that make FIFA happy. Revenue is estimated at a significant $2.1 billion, which equates to an average ticket price of $33 million per game. A billion dollars in prize money is up for grabs, with the winner of the competition receiving a whopping $40 million. Infantino particularly highlights the “revolutionary” TV deal with DAZN, which will allow 20 billion viewers to watch the games for free. This massive reach is a clear sign that competition is very important in the international football landscape.

Challenges and support from the government

In his remarks, Infantino acknowledged that US government support is essential for large events. Trump himself has set up a task force to help organize the Club World Cup and the upcoming World Cup. Infantino reports that during their first meeting, Trump emphasized how much his son Barron loves soccer and that he immediately recognized the importance of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Nevertheless, the success of the tournament does not remain undisputed. Critics such as Jürgen Klopp express concerns about the enormous demands placed on players. Klopp called the tournament the “worst idea ever implemented in football.” Infantino, on the other hand, counters with the positive attendance figures and an exceptional turnover, supported by other voices such as Arsène Wenger, FIFA's director of global football development, who emphasizes that all participating clubs would like to take part again.

A look at the future

With a view to the next Club World Cup, planned for 2029, it remains exciting to see what form it will take. Infantino has not yet commented on the frequency or number of teams. However, the focus is also on the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from June to July. Infantino expresses concerns about the high temperatures that could prevail in the USA. A solution regarding covered stadiums is considered necessary to guarantee game operations and offer the players the best conditions.

On Sunday at 9pm CEST, the Club World Cup final between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will be played at MetLife Stadium - an event that highlights not only the football's supporters but also Trump's political support.

More details on the situation and developments surrounding FIFA can be found here: Mainpost, Yahoo Sports, and Sports1.