Two Summers, Two FIFA World Cups

By Elke Porter | WBN News Global | June 7, 2025
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In back-to-back summers, FIFA is rolling out two massive tournaments under the “World Cup” banner. The first is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, debuting in an expanded format from June 15 to July 13 across 12 cities in the United States. This is a club-based event—think Champions League on a global scale—and it features 32 top teams from six continents, battling for nearly $100 million in prize money.

Unlike past editions, this is no short series. The new format means clubs from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Oceania will all have a shot at global glory.

Story About the Whitecaps

Sadly, no Canadian teams, including the Vancouver Whitecaps, are participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup or FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The Whitecaps’ 5-0 loss to Cruz Azul in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup final on June 1, 2025, eliminated their chance to qualify for these tournaments, and no other Canadian team had a viable pathway.Cruz Azul, as the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup winner, qualifies for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Vancouver Whitecaps' tournament record was mixed this year - they lost their very first game to Saprissa in Costa Rica, but then won every subsequent match until they reached the final in Mexico City, where they were thoroughly beaten 5-0 by Cruz Azul. This marked the first time in club history that Vancouver reached a continental final, making it a historic achievement despite the lopsided final results.

🏆 2025 Club World Cup: Global Clubs, Star Players

The tournament opens on June 15 at 1am UK time with multiple games following that day. Group stage matches run daily, with kick-offs ranging from 5pm to 2am UK time.

Expect some of the world’s biggest football names. Lionel Messi is slated to lead Inter Miami, while Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) will join the action. Clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Fluminense will battle to be crowned the first-ever champion of this format.

🇺🇳 2026 FIFA World Cup: Nations Take Center Stage

Then, in June 2026, FIFA shifts to its national team tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. With 48 countries competing for the first time, this will be the largest World Cup ever held. Players who shined for their clubs in 2025 will return to represent their countries in a spectacle of national pride.

There is an official fantasy football game for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA has launched the official FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ Fantasy game which you can play at play.fifa.com/fantasy/. Similar to Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the Club World Cup (CWC) Fantasy game is free to play but requires an account to save your created team. There are also fantasy football communities and guides being developed around this tournament, with detailed guides covering team previews, 'how to play' instructions, and breakdowns of the best players by position.

⚖️ Club vs. Country – Two Unique Experiences

While the Club World Cup emphasizes club loyalty, prize money, and global franchises, the 2026 tournament centers on national honor and emotional storytelling.

Together, these events mark FIFA’s clear ambition: expand football globally, engage more fans, and create two parallel paths to greatness.

Stay tuned to talkSPORT for full coverage and updates in 2025, less than a week away!

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