New Jersey will host the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday, the competition will feature 32 teams and run from June 15 to July 13, taking place across 12 venues in the United States.
The final will be held at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 82,500 and has been the site of major football events in the past, including the 2016 Copa America Centenario final. The stadium is also slated to host the FIFA World Cup final in 2026. Two of the 12 venues, Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and Lumen Field in Seattle, will represent the West Coast, while other East coast cities, including Atlanta, Miami, and Philadelphia, will also host matches.
The tournament’s new format expands from the previous seven-team structure to a much larger event, involving the champions from FIFA’s continental confederations. Teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Internazionale, Juventus, PSG, River Plate, and Flamengo have already secured their places. The draw will take place in December, with 30 of the 32 slots already determined.
“This new FIFA competition is the only true example in worldwide club football of real solidarity and inclusivity, allowing the best clubs from Africa, Asia, Central and North America, and Oceania to play the powerhouses of Europe and South America,” Infantino said.
However, FIFPRO and the European Leagues have lodged complaints with the European Commission, citing concerns about player workload and an already packed match calendar. The increased number of games, critics argue, could put additional strain on players. There are also concerns about security, particularly after incidents of crowd trouble during this year’s Copa America matches in Charlotte and Miami.
FIFA has yet to finalize broadcast and sponsorship deals for the event, which will also serve as a test run for the 2026 World Cup. The expanded tournament will take place every four years, though a host country for the 2029 edition has not yet been confirmed.
