Club World Cup - Summer 2025

[bobbyowenquiff]

You have to remember Sky are a business. They don't have the rights and won't big it up if it will take viewers away. They used to completely ignore the FA Cup and World Cup years ago.

Dan Roan has published an equally lamentable article on the Saudi backing of it today on the BBC website. Again it's not on the BBC and Liverpool aren't in it, so play the violin Dan.

According to Dan Roan the whole event is a Saudi Sportswashing exercise...even though it is being hosted by the USA. His evidence for his latest conspiracy theory and the basis for his entire article are quotes from that well known human rights activist and City-hater Nick McGheehan along with Sept Blatter who is currently banned from world football after being convicted of major corruption charges. No attempts in the article to balance up the crazy comments from these two loons. No attempt to tell both sides of the story. No wonder Roan is the only media person to have been banned from the club by City. You couldn't make this stuff up....except the BBC do just that on a daily basis.

 

[eyalluvitt]

That’s true for the WHOLE of FL

Gods waiting room

 

[calumdown]

is it only the overall winner of this year's tournament that automatically qualifies for the next one?

 

[Corky]

is it only the overall winner of this year's tournament that automatically qualifies for the next one?

No. They get rid of that after 2002 in the national one too.

 

[swintonjamie]

Plenty of Palmeiras fans knocking about in New York today, some Porto and the odd Dortmund and one Fluminese so far.

 

[Georgian Maestro]

I think the PSG v Atletico game will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Intrigued to see whether it is played at a friendly pace or they really go for it.

 

[Coljj]

 

[calumdown]

No. They get rid of that after 2002 in the national one too.

cheers pal.

 

[Betterdeedthan red]

It's here to stay so get used to it, the prize money is well worth winning and in time it's kudos will grow, i wasn't that keen initially but now it's here and we're in it i want us to win it, it wouldn't surprise ne if in a couple of decades it becomes the premium tournament in club world foitball, if thats a good thing who knows!

If it wasn't in America.
With than joke team in it purely just so messi is in it I might be interested a bit

 

[Xhavenjoe]

It is a farce of a competition though

Time will tell.
There are some top European teams in it.

 

[citymad]

If it wasn't in America.
With than joke team in it purely just so messi is in it I might be interested a bit

I guess they have to have one team in it to represent the host nation. They had the best regular season and everyone knew the prize was an entry into world club cup. Can't see what the issue is here. Seeing the ex worlds best player can only enhance ticket sales.It's not like they can win the thing anyway. The main European giants are in it including us and that's the main thing. When you think about it it's the only tournament where you can be crowned World Champions unlike the ridiculous nonsense we see in American sports.

 

[madloaf]

I'm completely conflicted about this shenaniganry. I want city to rest as I feel that's better for next season. I miss watching city already so glad it's on. I want time for the new signings to get some training with us. I want to see the new signings play. Some of its on at stupid times. I don't sleep well so that's fine! It seems like a daft competition. United and Liverpool are desperate to be in it and desperate to seem like they don't care all at the same time. Ahh. Conflicted!

 

[hazmcfc]

Does anyone know which section of the stadium city have for the juventus game?

Eying up tickets on ticket sites but want to be near the city fans

 

[citymad]

Relax everyone, every club has a preseason tournament.If we get an injury (god forbid) there's still time to get ready for the new season. It's just a bit weird timing that's all. Feel for the players but in a way after a long season but the new signings and the return of Godri will probably liven everyone up.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

It is a farce of a competition though

We mightn't even qualify for the next one

"City secured their spot in the 2025 edition courtesy of their Champions League win two years ago. Currently the Blues are outside the top 20 of the UEFA four-year ranking having suffered a disappointing play-off exit to Real Madrid in last season's Champions League. But there is plenty of time for the scope of that leaderboard to change and City will be confident of being among the top performers over the next few years.

Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli, Egyptian outfit Pyramids and Mexico's Cruz Azul have secured their places following victories in their respective Champions League competitions this year"

 

[N1985]

I can't quite empathise with the people who aren't arsed.

If I really wanted City to win the Joan Gamper Trophy, then you can be absolutely sure I want us to win this. It might just be because I'm hyper competitive but I want us to win everything. Always.

If City rocked up to play a pre-season tournament against a bunch of High School teams in Thailand I'd want us to beat them all 40-0. I don't care who we're playing or why, I want us to win.

Is the correct answer. Win this, then win the fucking lot next year. I want our Carabao back.

 

[citymad]

Does this tournament class as this season or next? I just need to know so we can get an accurate count on next seasons haul. Be nice to get the first ever Quintuple :)

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I think the PSG v Atletico game will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Intrigued to see whether it is played at a friendly pace or they really go for it.

First time I've seen Atletico and friendly so close together.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

I think it will be big and in a few years looked back on as a tournament that changed world football. The money at steak will make it a collosal success. When wealthy investors see what they might achieve by backing participating clubs, the next tournament in 4 years time will blow the world of football apart.

I asked ChatGPT what the coverage was like in other participating countries. I won't post the response because it was very detailed and long, but here's the prompt I used:

"What are the Spanish, Italian and German media saying about the FIFA Club World Cup. Are they positive about it; getting excited or ignoring it. Provide a summary highlighting the level of interest in the tournament. Compare this with the interest particularly in South America namely Mexica, Brazil and Argentina - also comment on the interest in Asia, Africa and CONCACAF"


The response was luke warm in Italy, Germany and Mexico. It's also low in the USA because the summer has so many other competing sporting events. Whereas in Argentina, Brazil and Spain the media and fan engagement is full on. Similarly for the Asian and African countries participating. In Africa they see it as a seismic opportunity for players to announce themselves on the world stage.


IMHO I think the group stages will be largely ignored until the knockout phase, unless there are some real humdingers or an enormous walloping. Then City or Juventus will almost certainly play Real Madrid & Chelsea could play Bayern and those will be big games. People will take an interest in those and from the quarter finals as I'm sure there will be a South American side still in as a valiant underdog.

If City win the group the most likely opponents are: Al Hilal, Inter, Bayern and then Real, runners up and it'll probably be: Real, Dortmund/Fluminese, Chelsea/PSG, Bayern/Inter/Juve. However it pans out, there will be plenty of very watchable games.

I set up the old fella's tv to watch it on DZAN last week. The coverage looks pretty good there are several documentaries/previews on all the clubs. So well worth a look.

I'll be in Alcudia watching City's first match, and it will be interesting to see what the local/tourist interest is in Majorca.

That sits right with the turnout from Brazilian and North African teams I’ve seen in New York since I got here.

 

[chesterbells]

Does this tournament class as this season or next? I just need to know so we can get an accurate count on next seasons haul. Be nice to get the first ever Quintuple :)

This