Soccer is heating up this summer as the FIFA Club World Cup will be held in the United States for the first time.
The most recent Seton Hall Sports Poll (SHSP) found that one in three (33%) Americans plan to watch or follow the tournament, while four in five (80%) soccer fans said the same. These numbers are even higher than those for the 2022 Men’s World Cup (American fans: 29%; soccer fans: 77%) and the 2023 Women’s World Cup (American fans: 30%; soccer fans: 67%).
One reason for the increased fan excitement surrounding the tournament is that it is taking place on U.S. soil for the first time in the tournament’s history. Nearly half (46%) of Americans said hosting the Club World Cup increases their interest in the sport. Among soccer fans, that number jumps to 78%, showing just how big of an impact the United States location is having on fan excitement. American fans now have the chance to watch some of the world’s best club teams from around the world compete in North America.
The event is also a precursor to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup—an even bigger event that will also be hosted in the U.S., along with Canada and Mexico. A strong 64% of soccer fans say that having global club teams play in the U.S. makes them more likely to attend or watch matches, an additional sign of American soccer culture expanding.
SHSP Director Charles Grantham says FIFA made a smart move by bringing the tournament to the U.S.
“It’s a way to keep fans excited and give them new reasons to stay involved,” he said.
Another huge reason for this year’s Club World Cup generating so much buzz is the number of global superstars participating in the tournament. American fans will have the opportunity to watch players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, and Cole Palmer all play on American turf.
For many American soccer fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of their favorite players up close and in person, especially since competitive matches featuring some of the world’s best club teams are rarely played in the United States.
With generational players like these in the Club World Cup, Americans are eager to take advantage of the opportunity to experience the excitement in person.
Whereas past tournaments had seven teams, this year’s Club World Cup has expanded to 32 teams, featuring top European clubs like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. There’s even a local twist, with Inter Miami CF representing North America. According to the SHSP, 45% of Americans said they were interested in watching the expanded 32-team format, a clear sign that the tournament’s bigger size is appealing to both casual and serious fans.
When it comes to the tournament favorites, Real Madrid currently has the best odds to win it all. Right behind them are PSG, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. These top clubs are not only filled with global superstars, but they also have massive fan bases that are willing to travel wherever the team goes. Although taking place in the U.S., fans of these clubs from around the world will still show up and support their team, regardless of the country.
The tournament will be played in 12 major stadiums across the United States. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a little more than 20 minutes from Seton Hall, while the opening match is scheduled for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Other host cities include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington D.C., Nashville, Charlotte, Cincinnati, and Orlando, making this a truly national event. Stadiums like the Rose Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Lincoln Financial Field will set the stage for some of the world’s best club matchups. Interestingly, 70% of soccer fans said they were more likely to attend a Club World Cup match if it was held in or near their city, showing how important local access is for public attendance.
According to Dr. Daniel Ladik, a marketing professor at Seton Hall and lead methodologist for the poll, these strong viewership numbers show just how much soccer has grown in America. Since 2022, soccer fandom in the U.S. has increased by nine percentage points, and interest in next year’s World Cup is already 13 points higher than it was before the 2022 tournament began.
“FIFA is bringing together giants of the club game and spotlighting many new and successful clubs from all continents—introducing them to fans in the United States and to a broader global audience,” said a FIFA spokesperson obtained by Fortune in an email. “This is more than a tournament: it’s a showcase of club football’s full global diversity and power.”
To find complete results, insights, questions, and statistics, visit the Seton Hall Sports Poll Blog. The full press release can be found here.
Club World Cup Match Schedule–Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford
June 15 at 6 p.m., Palmeiras vs. Porto: Score 0-0
June 17 at 12 p.m., Fluminense FC v. Borussia Dortmund
June 19 at 12 p.m., SE Palmeiras v. Al Ahly FC
June 21 at 6 p.m., Fluminense FC v. Ulsan HD
June 23 at 9 p.m., FC Porto v. Al Ahly FC
July 5 at 4 p.m., W55 v. W56 (Quarter Final)
July 8 at 3 p.m., W57 v. W58 (Semi Final)
July 9 at 3 p.m., W59 v. W60 (Semi Final)
July 13 at 3 p.m., W61 v. W62 (Final)
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu
