The President of FIFA Gianni Infantino has described the upcoming Club World Cup as the beginning of a “new era” in football, drawing parallels to the inaugural FIFA World Cup held in 1930.
Speaking in an interview with AFP ahead of the tournament’s kickoff this Saturday, Infantino said the expanded competition that will featured 32 teams from across the globe will represents a transformative moment in the sport’s history. The opening match will see Inter Miami take on Egyptian giants Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States.
“This marks the start of a new chapter in football, especially in club football,” Infantino stated. “It’s similar to when the first World Cup began in 1930. Today, everyone remembers that tournament, this Club World Cup will also be historic.”
Highlighting the inclusive nature of the revamped format, Infantino said the tournament provides a rare opportunity for clubs from outside football’s traditional strongholds in Europe and South America to compete on a global stage.
“Our aim is to globalize the game,” he said. “Football may be the world’s most popular sport, but elite competition is still concentrated in a few countries and clubs. This tournament is about creating chances for everyone.”
Infantino also addressed criticism of FIFA’s ticketing and tournament policies, saying that initial skepticism would fade as fans witness the competition’s impact. He emphasized that players from over 80 nations are participating, offering countries that may never qualify for a traditional World Cup a sense of representation on the world stage.
He cited former Ballon d’Or winner and Liberian football legend George Weah as an example of a great player who never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup, but could have gained international exposure through a tournament like the Club World Cup.
“George Weah is a great friend and a football icon, he never got to play in a World Cup. But if this tournament had existed in his time, he could have brought pride to both his club and his country,” Infantino noted.
The expanded Club World Cup is part of FIFA’s broader strategy to promote inclusivity and development in global football.
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