A World Cup that only FIFA and Real Madrid believe in

BarcelonaLeo Messi's Inter Miami and Egypt's Al Ahly kick off the new FIFA Club World Cup at midnight tonight, a newly created competition that has generated far more controversy than excitement among participants. A total of 32 clubs, including Real Madrid, will seek the title in the final in New Jersey on July 13.

The old Club World Cup is behind us, and from now on, FIFA wants the best teams in the world to face each other every four years in a tournament to be held in the countries that will host the World Cup for national teams. In this case, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the organizers of the most important tournament in football in the summer of 2026. Until now, this guinea pig role fell to the Confederations Cup, which is disappearing to give prominence to the clubs.

Ultimately, FIFA saw a business opportunity because the tournament was going from 16 national team matches to 63 club matches, as the number of participants increased from 8 to 32. But problems soon arose, as FIFA had significant trouble selling television rights. Consequently, prize money for participating clubs also fell, which even put its organization at risk. The competition went ahead, although fan interest was very low, so ticket prices had to be reduced by 50%. Even then, tickets for the first rounds have not sold out. The final hurdle—although not attributable to the organizers—is the riots in California due to demonstrations against the Trump administration's immigration policy. As Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine warned, this could have a very negative impact on the tournament, as football is called there. soccer, is especially popular among Central and South American migrants.

For clubs, especially European ones, the tournament means breaking up their vacations and disrupting preseason. In recent public statements, players and coaches are raving about the Club World Cup, but their words contradict what they said months ago, when they considered that the 40 million euros they can earn for participating does not compensate for either the risk of injury or the long-term problems caused by not having undergone conventional physical preparation during the summer. Guardiola, City's manager, admitted in close circles that he will draw up the lineups and manage the substitutions as if it were a summer tournament, and that he will only put all his effort into winning if he has a chance of winning at the end.

Real Madrid is putting all his effort into winning the Club World Cup.

Of the 32 participating clubs, the one taking it most seriously is Real Madrid. "Florentino [Pérez] wants to be the first to beat them, just as Madrid was the first to win the European Cup," say sources close to the Real Madrid president. The club was quick to change coaches, incorporating Xabi Alonso in Carlo Ancelotti's place, and even paid 10 million to Liverpool to release Trent Alexander-Arnold a month before his contract with the club ended grid and be ready for the tournament.

In a competition in which Barça is not playing because it has not achieved sufficient sporting merits.The Whites are considered title contenders. They open their group on Wednesday the 18th against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, in a group that also includes Mexico's Pachuca and Austria's Salzburg. "That's football and anything can happen, but a priori, European clubs are the favorites," noted Luis Enrique, PSG coach and the newly crowned Champions League winner. The French side are also in the running to win, along with City, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Atlético Madrid.