The 2025 Club World Cup: "The World Cup of Sun and Money"
From the 1994 World Cup to the 2025 edition, it seems the sun has decided to reserve its permanent seat in stadiums and stands around the globe. Amidst the hot American summer and FIFA’s changes, the details seem to repeat…
1994 World Cup: Sun and a New Beginning
Let us travel back three decades, when the United States hosted the World Cup for the first time in its history. This tournament opened a new chapter for football in the land of baseball and basketball, marking a record attendance of over 68,000 spectators per game, introducing the "no back-pass to the goalkeeper" rule that forever changed the dynamics of play, and the use of penalty shootouts to decide final matches after FIFA temporarily abandoned the golden goal rule.
However, what truly defined the 1994 World Cup, and what remains unforgettable, was the oppressive heat that accompanied most matches. Newspapers rushed to label it "the sun cup," as 80% of the games were played under the midday sun, particularly in cities like Orlando, Dallas, and Detroit. Players complained, coaches adapted, and fans brought umbrellas, yet it was a successful tournament on all levels.
In 2025, the United States will again host a global football event, this time featuring a new format for the Club World Cup, with 32 teams participating for the first time. This tournament is seen as a rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup and an important organizational experiment.
Yet, the issue of heat has resurfaced… Once again, we see some players leaving the bench to follow the game from air-conditioned locker rooms due to temperatures nearing 38 degrees in one match, combined with oppressive humidity. Real Madrid, despite its strength, complained about these conditions, while Guardiola and Enrique expressed their reservations, and everyone agreed on the difficulty of playing in such weather.
What About Qatar?
Here lies the paradox, even the blatant hypocrisy. When Qatar prepared to host the 2022 World Cup, "Europe" turned upside down. They exclaimed: the weather is unbearable! They forced the country to change the tournament’s date to winter, a first in football history.
Despite Qatar’s advanced cooling technologies, shaded seats, and cooling systems for the air around the stadium, it did not escape criticism…
Money: A New Factor in the Equation
The 2025 edition is unlike any previous version of the Club World Cup. It is a tournament involving vast sums of money. The champion could receive over $40 million, with each team exiting in the first round receiving compensations unheard of in past tournaments.
Thus, it’s not only called "the sun cup," but also "the money cup." The generous rewards have altered the rationale for criticism and created a diplomatic balance between the heat of the sun and the coolness of bank accounts.
Lackluster Arab Participation… Logic Speaks
On another note, this new version of the Club World Cup has not brought remarkable football surprises. Logic governed the outcomes, and the top teams secured their rounds without much effort. Meanwhile, Arab teams, despite fans’ hopes, have largely disappointed, exiting the competition early without a clear mark or exceptional achievement to mention.
Wydad Casablanca, Al Ahly, or Espérance Sporting did not succeed in breaking the grip of European giants or leaving a significant impact on the rankings, making this participation closer to a "representational obligation" than a "legitimate dream."
While Arabs have excelled in previous editions more than once, this version lacked "surprises," and the "extraordinary stories" that we have come to expect from clubs emerging from the shadows were notably absent.
The 2026 World Cup is Approaching… Lessons Are Being Written Now
As the 2026 World Cup draws near and since the stadiums are currently being tested, these observations serve as a foundation to improve conditions for both players and fans alike. The American organization excels in logistics and technology, but the issue of weather and climate remains a real challenge that must be seriously considered, much like what happened in Qatar, but approached with an American flexibility.
