The inaugural edition of the restructured Club World Cup has defied expectations, proving to be a competitive tournament that some believe could rival the FIFA World Cup in importance.
Unlike past versions featuring only seven teams, this year’s expanded format includes 32 competing clubs.
A member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group praised the depth of competition, stating, “The competition is closer than expected. We wanted to create this tournament to give the big clubs around the world the opportunity to come. It looks like it will be the start of something that will never stop.”
This positive feedback raises hopes that future tournaments will continue in this expanded format every four years, despite concerns that the prolonged season could impact player performances.
The tournament’s unpredictability is highlighted by the relatively equal footing of South American and European teams.
Brazilian club Fluminense stands out as the only American team to reach the semifinals, exemplifying this trend.
With veteran players like Fabio Lopes (44) and Thiago Silva (40) leading the squad, Fluminense aims to replicate their performance from the previous year when they faced Manchester City in the final, ultimately falling short.
After defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in the semifinals, Fluminense will now match up against Chelsea, who lifted the trophy in the 2022 Club World Cup, following their acquisition by American owners.
The other semifinal promises to be a marquee matchup, featuring Paris Saint-Germain, the current Champions League champions, facing Real Madrid, the top team in UEFA rankings.
This clash is perceived as a contest between the modern approach of PSG and the traditional style of Real Madrid, although both teams prioritize a pressing game.
PSG has been notably consistent throughout this tournament but must remain cautious against Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid, a team that has shown marked improvement following a shaky beginning to the competition.
Both semifinal matches are set to take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a venue that has hosted previous Club World Cup matches.
In addition to hosting the semifinals, MetLife Stadium will also be the site of the final for this year’s Club World Cup as well as the 2026 World Cup final, set for July 19 next year.
The schedule for the upcoming matches is as follows:
Tuesday, July 8:
Fluminense vs. Chelsea
Where: MetLife Stadium
Time: 3:00 p.m. (local time)
Where to watch: The match will be available exclusively via DAZN’s streaming service.
Wednesday, July 9:
PSG vs. Real Madrid
The excitement surrounding these matches reflects the tournament’s unexpected success and the competitive spirit of participating clubs, setting the stage for an enticing conclusion to this new format of the Club World Cup.
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