Izuchukwu OkosiWe have witnessed some breathtaking moments and games in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America.
Conversely, there has been some down moments so far.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has divided opinions as per the relevance this time of the year.
Prime Business Africa takes a deep dive into the merits and demerits.
PROS
1. Huge Prize Money
The prize money for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup winners is a massive incentive to take part in it.
The winners will receive the sum of $125m while there are monies for every win and draws in the tournament from the group stage to the semifinals and final.
For African, South American and Oceania teams taking part in the tournament, it will be a massive windfall that should aid development of the game at the grassroots levels and build football facilities.
2. Pre season Vibes
The timing of the tournament is both good and bad for the participating teams.
While those who oppose it have a good reason to defend their points, on the flip side, it makes for a good pre-season
Participating teams long before now know they will take part in it hence allows for proper planning.
Clubs will let their players go on well deserved holidays when the tournament ends.
That could be their pre-season wrapped up without having to over commit their players to further club friendlies at the back end of July.
3. Early Transfer Business
The tournament was widely hyped up by FIFA who see it as the all-new lease of a life for clubs taking part.
An initial 10-day window was created by FIFA in a bid to have the clubs improve their squads.
While clubs who are not taking part in it have their highs and lows, it surely helped those who are in the USA to do most of their businesses on time which helps team bonding and tactical implementation by the coaching staff.
4. Needed Cash for smaller clubs
As highlighted earlier in this piece, the cash injection to the clubs’ are guaranteed to help some short term and medium/long term goals.
Players involved will be well rewarded handsomely.
5. Exposure For Young Players
Participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup affords young players the exposure they need to blossom.
Jobe Bellingham was billed to be part of England’s U-21 side at the European Championship but he rather preferred to play for Borussia Dortmund.
This is the kind of opportunity that the tournament presents to young talents.
READ ALSO: FIFA Club World Cup: 32 Top Clubs Battle For Ultimate $125m Prize
CONS
1. Poor attendance
Low turnout of fans in most of the matches so far has been one of the down sides to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Not up to 3,000 fans saw the Chelsea versus Los Angeles FC game with empty seats littered in the stadium.
There has been aparthy to the tournament although we have equally witnessed some full stadiums it must be said.
There was low ticket sales which forced FIFA to sell them at reduced rates.
As the tournament progresses, the underwhelming start to it could ease up.
2. Players’ burnouts
The call for a flexible and humane football calendar cannot be overstated enough by the players and FifPro.
The scheduling of the games which sees teams play three group games in 10 days is gruelling.
Mental breakdowns and long-term, serious injuries are given due to the difficult seasons the players have had.
3. One-sided games
The Bayern Munich 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City FC was a reflection of the quality of some of the teams participating in the Club World Cup.
Juventus also mauled Al Ain 5-0 with the Biancoceleste too much for the opposition.
The 5-0 win of PSG of Atletico Madrid could be considered a one-off contest but more of such results would begin to create doubts in the minds of naysayers and critics.
4. Adverse Weather
Some matches have had to be postponed for a few hours due to bad weather at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The heat at this time of the year has also been too much for the players to cope with.
5. Time zone, TV experience
Due to time zones’ difference, most games played at ‘odd hours’ in certain countries are not seen at least in real time by football fans.
They end up watching highlights at best as they may not be privy to the broadcast schedules.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
