2025 Club World Cup: ‘Fears for future’ of domestic leagues amid $1bn prize pot
New Europa League president Claudius Schafer said he was “worrying about the future of domestic competitions” due to the distortion caused by the prize money and international competitions.
Wednesday, the world’s governing body FIFA announces $100 million in prize money (£780 million) The 32 team club World Cup held in the United States this summer.
The actual expenses will increase according to the performance of the game, which may benefit 12 European clubs. The first nine aspects of the gambling market come from Europe, and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg is the only European team that doesn’t like to enter the last 16 games.
Although FIFA said it would provide $200 million (£155 million) for solidarity payments for non-participating clubs, it has not yet explained exactly where the money went.
But Schafer believes that the solidarity aspect is largely insignificant – and raises concerns about the impact of large amounts of bonuses in “small and mid-sized leagues” on the balance of competition.
“When you see the money that people who compete this summer pay, it’s huge,” he said.
“If the Austrian League club gets $50 million, that’s a huge impact on[the league].
“Competitive balance is one of the most important themes in the league.
“The smaller and medium leagues have a good discussion of solidarity, but we have to talk frankly – if the club plays internationally, that’s a small part. I’m worried about telling the truth in the future.”
Leagues across Europe are fighting the dominance of a handful of clubs – including England, where Manchester City won an unprecedented fourth title last season.
The last team besides Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid won Spain’s La Liga, Juventus won nine consecutive Italian Serie A in 2020, while Bayern Munich looks to be the winner this semester after finishing 11 seasons of Germany at Bayer Leverkusen.
Elsewhere, Paris St-Germain looks certain to win 12 titles in France in 14 years, while Red Bull Salzburg has won 10 consecutive Austrian titles by 2024.
“We have to draw some conclusions,” Schafer said.
The first club club World Cup began on June 14 and ended on July 13 in New Jersey.
