The expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in North America has concluded, leaving in its wake a debate regarding its true success. While the host nation`s top football official painted a picture of unbridled triumph, seasoned voices from the punditry world offered a more grounded, and at times pointed, assessment.
The View from the Commissioner`s Suite
MLS Commissioner Don Garber wasted no time in declaring the month-long, 32-team tournament an “incredible success.” Fresh off Chelsea`s 3-0 victory over PSG in the final at MetLife Stadium, Garber lauded the event as a “proud moment for everyone involved in soccer across North America.” He credited FIFA President Gianni Infantino`s “bold vision” and proclaimed the tournament a “defining moment for the sport,” showcasing North America`s burgeoning significance in global football growth. It`s the sort of glowing review one might expect from the commissioner whose territory just hosted a massive international event, emphasizing vision, success, and regional pride.
Skepticism from the Sidelines
However, this enthusiastic reception wasn`t universally shared. Former Premier League goalkeeper and current pundit Shaka Hislop provided a more tempered perspective. Speaking on the Futbol Americas podcast, Hislop admitted the tournament was “more successful than I was expecting,” holding his hands up to that much. But an “incredible success”? He wasn`t entirely convinced. Hislop highlighted the significant unknowns, particularly for the elite European clubs involved. He pondered how teams like Chelsea and PSG, having played for nearly a month after their domestic seasons effectively ended, would manage the unique transition period before the next league campaign begins. While most European sides are already deep into pre-season, these CWC finalists face a disrupted schedule. “Do you rest? Do you keep things ticking over?” he mused, pointing out that the true impact on player fatigue and potential injuries wouldn`t be clear for another “six or nine months time.” Until then, he holds his position of caution, stating simply, “I’m not falling out of my chair like Don Garber.”
Adding another layer of critique was former USMNT forward Herculez Gomez. While acknowledging the “fantastic idea” behind the CWC – creating opportunities for smaller clubs like Auckland City to test themselves against giants like Bayern Munich or Boca Juniors – Gomez took specific aim at Garber`s glowing praise. He argued that the criticisms leveled against the tournament were specifically about the “North American things”: issues like playing on grass laid over artificial turf, weather delays due to thunderstorms, excessive heat, and scheduling complexities. “What people hate about this tournament are the North American things,” Gomez asserted, telling Garber to “Get Lost” because “the world doesn’t revolve around us.” The implication is clear: the tournament`s global concept is sound, but its execution in North America exposed logistical weaknesses that drew international ire, a point Garber`s statement conveniently overlooks.
Beyond the Scorelines: Logistical Hurdles and Future Implications
The expanded 2025 Club World Cup was FIFA`s bold step into a new era for the tournament, shifting from an annual club competition to a quadrennial, 32-team spectacle. While the matches themselves delivered football, the commentary from voices like Hislop and Gomez serves as a crucial reality check. Garber`s portrayal of unblemished success, while perhaps understandable from a hosting perspective, contrasts sharply with the practical challenges observed and the lingering questions about the long-term impact on player welfare and club preparation.
The criticisms around logistics – the temporary pitches, weather interruptions common in North American summers – highlight potential areas of concern for future large-scale tournaments hosted in the region, most notably the upcoming 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. While the CWC is a smaller beast than the World Cup, some of the infrastructure and environmental factors remain relevant. Was the 2025 Club World Cup an “incredible success” as defined by attendance and broadcast reach? Perhaps. Was it logistically flawless and universally praised by those directly impacted, particularly the players and clubs? The dissenting voices suggest the answer is more complex, a narrative less about falling out of one`s chair and more about a cautious wait-and-see approach regarding its true legacy.
