United States great and FIFA Legend Landon Donovan has predicted that the fast-approaching first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup™ – united with next year’s FIFA World Cup™ – will open the eyes of “millions of new fans” in North America as the sport continues to explode in participation and popularity. Speaking with one month to go until kick-off at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, Donovan, who represented the Stars and Stripes at three FIFA World Cups (2002, 2006 and 2010) drew on his personal experience of being wowed by the world’s best when he, along with 90,468 others, witnessed one of the greatest games in international football history in Pasadena in 1994.

“When I was 12 years old the (FIFA) World Cup was in America, in ‘94, and I went to watch Argentina play Romania,” the Los Angeles Galaxy icon said. “Up until that point, I’d never seen soccer on TV. I’d played my whole childhood, but I’d never understood that there was something more. “Watching that World Cup match opened my eyes to the sport in a way that (they) had never been opened, so I think, similarly, this summer, next summer with the (FIFA) World Cup coming – Club World Cup this year and World Cup next year – (many) people’s eyes are going to be opened for the first time to this sport and we’re going to create tens of millions of new fans.” Thirty-one years on from being stirred by the skills of stars such as Romania’s Gheorghe Hagi and Argentina’s Gabriel Batistuta, Donovan is a father to soccer-loving kids. Over recent months, the former Major League Soccer maestro has been sharing the thrill with his family as global stars prepare to grace the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium once again, along with 11 other tournament venues.

“My boys are really excited by it [the FIFA Club World Cup],” he said. “I was explaining to them how it works and that it’s basically a World Cup but for club teams, and for young kids in our country, they’re watching all these stars from around the world, and the star is almost as big as the team in their eyes, but now they’re realising, ‘Oh, their team is now coming’. So, Erling Haaland’s team [Manchester City] comes, and they get to see him in person, but also the team. So, I think it’s a huge opportunity for us as Americans to continue to grow the sport.” Donovan is looking forward to taking in several FIFA Club World Cup matches with his boys throughout June and July. While global superstars like the aforementioned Haaland are high on their list, Donovan also recalled with a smile – and a touch of humour – how a young kid was once pointed out as his replacement when he left FC Bayern München.

“Turns out that was Thomas Müller, so I think they made the right choice! He’s been an absolute legend for that club and for Germany. (So) really special for him – regardless of what he does next – that he gets the opportunity here in America, so many Bayern Munich fans here in America that want to see him and will get to see him go out, and perhaps go out as a champion.” But Donovan is equally intrigued to find out which lesser-known teams and players emerge throughout the tournament, thrusting themselves into the global sports spotlight.

“I think there’s a good chance that a player we’re not well aware of, or maybe the rest of the world isn’t well aware of – maybe an Inter Miami player or a Seattle Sounders player – is going to show up and perform in a way that nobody expected. Similarly, players from other countries that people aren’t aware of might show up and make a name for themselves, and that’s the beauty of this tournament, just like a World Cup. Every time a World Cup is played, there are a few players who burst onto the scene that nobody knew about, and the same thing’s going to happen this summer.” The biggest, most inclusive global club competition ever The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will bring together 32 elite teams from all six confederations, with the action set to kick off at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, 14 June – one month from today! A total of 63 matches will take place across 11 cities – Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C. – culminating in what promises to be a spectacular final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, 13 July, when the FIFA club world champions will be crowned. New batches of more affordable match tickets have been released this week on FIFA.com/tickets, the official and preferred hub for purchasing FIFA Club World Cup 2025 tickets. Fans are urged to act now to secure their seats for the most inclusive club competition in history. For those seeking a premium experience, ticket-inclusive hospitality packages are also available at FIFA.com/hospitality. All tournament matches will be live-streamed for free on DAZN.com, bringing the excitement of the first edition of the competition to every football fan around the world.