FIFA President Gianni Infantino has declared the newly expanded Club World Cup as a historic turning point in global football, likening it to the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup. The 32-team tournament kicks off on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium with Inter Miami facing Egypt’s Al Ahly.
In an interview with AFP, Infantino said the competition signals “a new era of club football,” and offers a platform for clubs from outside traditional football powerhouses to shine globally.
“We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world,” he said, stressing that the aim is to truly globalise football beyond its elite strongholds in Europe and South America.
Infantino also noted that players from more than 80 countries will be represented in the competition, allowing nations previously shut out of the World Cup spotlight to take part in a global showcase.
Citing the example of African legend George Weah, who never played in a World Cup, Infantino said: “He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club, but also his country proud.”
Despite concerns over fixture congestion and slow ticket sales, Infantino was confident that enthusiasm would grow once matches begin.
“I’m convinced that as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realise what is happening here. It’s something special,” he said.
He also defended FIFA’s dynamic ticket pricing, especially student discounts, amidst criticism of low attendance projections. “We don’t want to see empty stadiums… I believe the stadiums will be pretty full,” Infantino added.
Backed by a $1 billion broadcasting deal with DAZN, Infantino said the tournament is already an economic success. He assured fans that all revenue would be reinvested into global football development.
On safety concerns, especially around immigration protests near venues in California, Infantino stated: “Security is a top priority… we are in constant contact with authorities to ensure a safe environment.”
The FIFA chief concluded that success would be judged not just in numbers, but by how the tournament resonates emotionally with fans worldwide.
