Manchester City and Chelsea have the opportunity to earn a substantial prize of up to £97 million from this year’s Club World Cup, an unprecedented figure in club football history. The overall prize fund amounts to £775 million, which is distributed among the 32 participating teams based on various factors, with £407 million allocated to participation and an additional £368 million based on performance.
To illustrate the significance of this funding, last season’s Premier League prize money ranged from £175.9 million for the winners, Manchester City, to £109.7 million for Sheffield United, who finished at the bottom of the table. In the Club World Cup, the top-ranked European team, according to FIFA’s metrics, stands to receive £29.6 million just for qualifying, and winning all group-stage games could lead to a maximum award of £97 million.
The structure of prizes is tiered; for group-stage victories, clubs can earn £1.5 million, with additional bonuses for progressing to subsequent rounds—£5.8 million for the last 16, £10.2 million for the quarter-finals, £16.3 million for the semi-finals, and £31 million for winning the final.
Manchester City and Chelsea qualified for this expanded tournament by securing recent UEFA Champions League victories. Set to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States, this edition marks the first time the Club World Cup will involve 32 teams, shifting from its previous format of seven clubs contending annually.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented on the distribution model, emphasizing that the Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football. The tournament includes teams from six international football confederations, highlighting the global nature of the competition.
With 12 places reserved for European clubs, determined by their performances in the Champions League over the past four seasons, it’s noteworthy that Liverpool, despite being 2022 finalists, did not qualify because only two clubs per country are allowed. Meanwhile, both Chelsea and Manchester City stand poised to make their mark in what promises to be a thrilling tournament on the international football stage.
As fans anticipate the unique matchups and competitive spirit of this tournament, there is hope that it will inspire future generations of footballers and deepen the global appreciation for the sport.
Leave a comment