The Athletic FC Podcast
Episode Title: Was the Club World Cup Worth It?
Release Date: July 14, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton, and Matt Slater, the discussion centers around the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Titled "Was the Club World Cup Worth It?", the episode delves into the tournament's success, financial implications, player welfare, and the broader impact on global club football.
FIFA's Perspective on the Club World Cup
The conversation begins with reflections on FIFA President Gianni Infantino's enthusiastic endorsement of the Club World Cup. Speaking at a press conference held at Trump Tower in New York, Infantino lauded the tournament as "an incredible success" (03:29) and proclaimed it the beginning of "the golden era of global club football" (03:34).
Adam Crafton recounts the unconventional setting of the press conference, noting interruptions from a nearby coffee shop that interfered with Infantino's remarks. He highlights Infantino's reluctance to engage in a traditional press conference, focusing instead on a staged presentation featuring FIFA legends like Ronaldo, Roberto Baggio, and Alessandro Del Piero.
Reactions to the Tournament
Phil Hay offers a critical view of Infantino's narrative, suggesting that the FIFA president might be attempting to convince himself of the tournament's success more than the audience. He acknowledges the appeal of intercontinental club matchups, such as Boca Juniors vs. Bayern Munich, but criticizes the "manufactured hype" surrounding the event, particularly in the United States. Phil emphasizes that despite the initial skepticism, the final match appeared to be taken seriously by the competing teams, potentially driven by substantial financial incentives.
Phil Hay:
"I would often feel like Infantino is trying to convince himself rather than many of the people listening. ... There's a lot of fabricated hype, especially in the States." (07:00)
Financial Implications and Revenue Distribution
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the financial aspects of the tournament. Infantino touted revenue figures of "$33 million per match" (22:02), prompting questions about whether revenue alone justifies the expansion of such competitions. Phil Hay and Adam Crafton debate the sustainability and fairness of prize money distribution. Hay points out that while wealthy clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City benefit immensely, smaller clubs receive comparatively modest sums, exacerbating financial disparities.
Phil Hay:
"The vast majority has been concentrated in about the seven or eight richest clubs. ... The French league does not need PSG to have another 100 million." (28:08)
Adam Crafton adds that clubs are motivated by substantial bonuses—Chelsea, for instance, received approximately £80 million for winning the tournament (07:00). He argues that FIFA has structured the financial incentives in a way that minimizes resistance from clubs, ensuring continued participation despite criticisms.
Player Welfare and Scheduling Concerns
The episode addresses concerns regarding player welfare due to the congested football calendar. Phil Hay notes that many players and coaches are advocating for a redesign of the schedule to prevent burnout and injuries. However, he acknowledges the financial pressures on clubs, driven by high player wages and agent fees, which compel them to seek additional revenue streams through tournaments like the Club World Cup.
Phil Hay:
"Players themselves are split. ... They want these major, major organizations to redesign the calendar to make it healthier for them." (25:21)
Relationship Between FIFA and UEFA
The tension between FIFA and UEFA is another focal point. Phil Hay observes that UEFA has shown a lack of official support for the Club World Cup, with UEFA President Alexander Sheffrin notably absent from the tournament. This absence underscores the friction between the two governing bodies, with UEFA likely viewing the Club World Cup as a competitor to its prestigious Champions League.
Phil Hay:
"The most popular club competition in the world is without doubt the UEFA Champions League. ... UEFA are concerned." (31:25)
He further recounts an incident at the FIFA Congress where UEFA representatives walked out, accusing Infantino of prioritizing political interests over football.
Attendance and Audience Engagement in the United States
The podcast examines the Club World Cup's reception in the United States, highlighting the role of immigrant communities in driving attendance. Adam Crafton notes that while some matches, like Real Madrid's games, attracted large crowds (over 60,000 at each venue), others struggled to fill stadiums, exemplified by a match in Orlando with only about 3,000 attendees.
Adam Crafton:
"The amount of people that traveled were diaspora immigrant communities. ... Infantino promised millions of visitors, but that did not happen." (37:41)
This reliance on diaspora communities raises questions about the tournament's broader appeal to mainstream American sports fans.
Logistical Challenges: Weather and Scheduling
Phil Hay and Adam Crafton discuss the logistical challenges faced during the tournament, particularly extreme weather conditions like heatwaves and thunderstorms. They criticize the frequent interruptions caused by weather, which disrupted the flow and integrity of the matches.
Adam Crafton:
"There were delays caused by the threat of thunderstorms ... changing the integrity of the game." (47:48)
They speculate on FIFA's potential responses for future tournaments, suggesting that while there might be discussions on managing game timings better, fundamental issues like climate cannot be easily mitigated.
Dynamic Pricing and Fan Accessibility
The hosts critique FIFA's dynamic pricing model, which led to significant disparities in ticket costs. Early games saw tickets priced as high as $350 for the cheapest seats, while later matches experienced drastic price drops to around $13 (44:00). This volatility potentially alienated fans and hindered consistent stadium attendance.
Phil Hay:
"It was pretty embarrassing ... before the semifinal tickets were going for about $470 on Wednesday and then $13 by Saturday." (47:48)
They suggest that more stable and fair pricing strategies could enhance fan experience and accessibility in future tournaments.
Future Prospects and Sustainability
Concluding the discussion, Phil Hay expresses skepticism about the long-term sustainability of the Club World Cup. He predicts that as long as financial incentives remain attractive, clubs will continue to participate, despite ongoing criticisms regarding scheduling and player welfare. Hay also warns of potential dominance by clubs from affluent leagues, such as the UEFA Champions League winners, which could undermine the competitive balance of the tournament.
Phil Hay:
"If FIFA can produce similar or comparable prize pots, clubs across the world are going to want a piece of it. ... The show will go on because the money will be there." (27:45)
Conclusion
The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the FIFA Club World Cup, weighing its financial benefits against the challenges it poses to player welfare and the global football calendar. While the tournament offers significant revenue opportunities for top-tier clubs, it also highlights systemic issues within football governance, particularly the strained relationship between FIFA and UEFA. The Club World Cup's future remains uncertain, hinging on FIFA's ability to address logistical challenges and foster broader fan engagement without exacerbating financial inequalities among clubs.
Notable Quotes
-
Gianni Infantino:
"The Club World Cup has been an incredible success... the golden era of global club football has started."
(03:34) -
Phil Hay:
"Infantino is trying to convince himself rather than many of the people listening." (07:00)
-
Adam Crafton:
"The press conference was held in Trump Tower... it makes for a pretty bizarre experience." (03:54)
-
Phil Hay:
"The vast majority has been concentrated in about the seven or eight richest clubs." (28:08)
-
Phil Hay:
"Players themselves are split. They want these major organizations to redesign the calendar to make it healthier for them." (25:21)
-
Phil Hay:
"If FIFA can produce similar or comparable prize pots, clubs across the world are going to want a piece of it." (27:45)
Timestamps:
This summary is crafted to provide an in-depth overview of the podcast episode for those who have not listened to it, ensuring clarity and comprehensive coverage of all key discussions and insights.