The Club World Cup 2025: Saudi Money, Global Ambitions, and Growing Concerns

The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States on June 15, 2025, with Real Madrid facing Al-Hilal at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. It’s a glitzy start to a tournament that’s been expanded into a 32-team spectacle, boasting a $1 billion prize pot. But behind the headlines of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut for Real and the promise of £97 million for the winners, a complex web of financial ties, geopolitical influence, and footballing controversy is unfolding. Saudi Arabia’s deep involvement raises questions about the tournament’s purpose, its impact on the game, and what it means for players, fans, and the sport’s future.

Saudi Arabia’s Financial Muscle

Let’s talk money. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a major force behind the Club World Cup. PIF owns Al-Hilal, one of the tournament’s contenders, but its influence goes way beyond the pitch. In December 2024, sports streaming platform DAZN secured global broadcast rights for the tournament for a reported $1 billion, despite FIFA’s earlier struggles to find broadcasters and DAZN’s history of financial losses. A few weeks later, a PIF subsidiary bought a $1 billion minority stake in DAZN, calling it a chance to bring more sports to fans. Coincidence? Critics don’t think so.

Last week, PIF became an official tournament sponsor, aligning with FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s vision to make football truly global. The fund’s statement highlighted football’s role in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation. Yet ticket sales are sluggish, and the qualification system, which excludes recent champions like Liverpool and Barcelona, has left some fans cold. So why is Saudi Arabia pouring billions into an event that’s struggling to spark excitement?

Sportswashing or Strategic Investment?

The timing of Saudi Arabia’s investments is tough to ignore. Just days after the DAZN deal, FIFA named Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, a decision that drew heavy criticism. The bidding process was fast-tracked, limited to Asia and Oceania, and saw Australia back out, citing an impossible timeline. FIFA’s evaluation gave Saudi Arabia a record-high score, and the decision was sealed with applause rather than a vote. Only Norway’s football federation abstained, slamming the process.

Critics like Nicholas McGeehan of Fair Square argue there’s a link between the Club World Cup’s funding and the World Cup bid. He told BBC Sport that FIFA sealed a commercially inexplicable broadcasting deal with an entity now part-owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF. Many see a connection, he said. Even Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s disgraced former president, claimed Saudi Arabia’s $1 billion was essential to make the tournament viable, suggesting the kingdom has taken control of international football.

FIFA pushes back, insisting the Club World Cup has nine sponsors and strong commercial momentum. It also says the tournament, held every four years with a maximum of seven matches, doesn’t cause calendar congestion. But the optics are rough, especially given Saudi Arabia’s human rights and environmental record. Is this sportswashing, using football to polish a controversial image, or a genuine effort to grow the game? It’s probably a bit of both, and that’s where things get messy.

The Toll on Players and Leagues

The expanded Club World Cup, running until July 13, 2025, is catching heat for its impact on players. With the men’s European Championship (June 5 to July 5) and women’s Euros (July 2 to July 27) overlapping, many stars face a brutal summer. The Premier League, likely starting in mid-August, leaves little room for recovery. Players’ unions and European leagues have filed legal complaints, arguing FIFA ignored concerns about workload and scheduling. One critic called it deeply flawed, echoing former UEFA president Michel Platini’s warning that the tournament could overload the calendar.

Clubs are in a tough spot. The financial rewards are huge, and Real Madrid paid £8 million to secure Alexander-Arnold’s early release from Liverpool to play, but the risks are real. Injuries, burnout, and squad rotation could disrupt domestic leagues, especially for smaller teams. The Premier League might push its 2025-26 start to September, squeezing the season and clashing with domestic cups or the 2026 World Cup. It’s a logistical nightmare, and managers are already bracing for it.

Fans and the Competitive Balance

For fans, the Club World Cup is a mixed bag. Free streaming via DAZN sounds great, but the tournament’s complex qualification and missing big names dampen the hype. Posts on X show fans split: some are pumped for matchups like Bayern vs. Boca Juniors, while others call it a cash grab. The $1 billion prize pot also worries folks. If top clubs pocket £97 million, the financial gap between Europe’s elite and smaller teams could grow, throwing competitive balance out of whack.

Then there’s the environmental angle. Flying 32 teams across the U.S., with fans and entourages, isn’t exactly green. Critics argue FIFA’s global game push ignores the carbon footprint, which feels especially ironic given Saudi Arabia’s oil-driven economy. It’s a lot to stomach for a tournament that’s supposed to unite football fans.

Looking Ahead

The Club World Cup is a bold move, but it’s also a lightning rod for football’s biggest debates: money, power, and sustainability. Saudi Arabia’s backing made it possible, but it’s fueling skepticism. As Infantino touts global growth, critics like Blatter and McGeehan warn of hidden agendas. For now, the focus is on Miami, where Real Madrid and Al-Hilal will kick things off. The next month could reshape football, for better or worse.

What’s your take on Saudi Arabia’s role in the Club World Cup? Is it a step toward a global game or a risky precedent? Drop your thoughts below and share this post to keep the conversation going!