2025 FIFA Club World Cup in U.S. Faces Visa and Safety Challenges

As the United States prepares to host the expanded FIFA Club World Cup beginning June 14, 2025, concerns are mounting over potential obstacles that could deter international fans from attending. Key issues include visa processing delays, stringent immigration policies, and safety apprehensions, all of which may impact the tournament's success.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks a significant expansion, featuring 32 teams from six confederations. The tournament will take place from June 14 to July 13 across 12 venues in 11 cities, including major locations such as Miami Gardens, East Rutherford, and Pasadena. This expansion aims to elevate the global profile of club football and serves as a precursor to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, also hosted by the U.S.

However, international fans face substantial obstacles due to visa processing delays, which can extend up to 18 months in certain countries. This issue is exacerbated by President Donald Trump's recent travel ban, effective June 9, 2025, which restricts entry from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia, citing national security concerns. While exemptions exist for athletes and support staff, fans from these nations are not covered, potentially impacting attendance.

Despite the tournament's high-profile nature, ticket sales have been sluggish. For instance, the opening match featuring Inter Miami and Lionel Messi has seen ticket prices reduced from an initial $349 to as low as $55 due to low demand. Factors contributing to this include a lack of awareness, economic uncertainty, and the limited appeal of certain club teams to U.S. audiences.

The current political and social environment in the U.S. has raised concerns among international fans regarding safety and potential harassment by immigration authorities. The combination of strict immigration policies and increased enforcement activities has led to a nearly 10% decline in international travel to the U.S. as of March 2025 compared to the previous year.

FIFA projects the tournament to generate approximately $2 billion in revenue, with a $1 billion prize pool and a $125 million reward for the champion. A significant portion of this revenue stems from a last-minute $1 billion television rights deal secured with DAZN.

This edition marks a significant expansion from previous Club World Cups, which featured fewer teams and a shorter duration. The decision to host the tournament in the U.S. aligns with FIFA's strategy to increase the sport's footprint in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, the current challenges related to visa policies and fan engagement are unprecedented at this scale.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup presents both opportunities and challenges for the United States as a host nation. While the expanded format and high-profile matches have the potential to elevate the country's status in the global football community, issues related to visa policies, ticket sales, and the social climate pose significant hurdles that need to be addressed to ensure the tournament's success.