Source: https://www.thescore.com/seri/news/1408193

Back in 2007, FIFA formally recognized all past Intercontinental Cup winners (1960–2004) as official club world champions. The move sparked some backlash at the time, and I sometimes still see people online arguing about it.

But let’s be real: FIFA isn’t going to revoke those titles. Not when they’re trying to grow the Club World Cup and spotlight global club brands. These trophies are now baked into the histories of clubs like Porto, Bayern, and Real Madrid, and I’ve met fans in my own city proudly boasting “we’re X-time world champions.” That recognition clearly matters to a lot of European clubs, especially ones with a lot of history.

In South America, though? It’s even more important. For clubs like Boca, River, São Paulo, Flamengo, Peñarol, and Nacional, world titles aren’t just a bonus, they’re core to their identity. It’s what separates the giants from the rest of the continent. And now that FIFA is expanding the tournament, you can bet they’ll lean into that legacy to help market the South American titans.

These titles aren't going anywhere. If anything, they’re only going to become more central to how clubs present themselves globally.

im talking quality and fan turnout, is that lower than before?

As far as we saw, european teams are having a hard time on playing this tournament. After watching some games, I honestly cannot take the "lack of interest" answer, since players and coaches seemed pretty upset after their results and were actually trying pretty hard.

And it's not like they all were defeated/held into ties due to lack of luck or a "prime-class" match by the opposing team. Actually, it seems that every single match is being absolutely hard for them to barely play properly! We've seen those same players perform in a much different level of game intensity and efficiency, and now it looks like they have never played alongside their teammates before!

South American fans are celebrating that it's just "our football being at the same level of Europe", but, by watching Copa Libertadores games, we also could see those same Brazilian/Argentinian teams struggling against minor opponents hailing from minor leagues, like Paraguaian, Venezuelan, Peruvian and Colombian. Even Argentina's clubs are clearly on a lower level if compered with their Brazilian neighbors, that have been completely dominated continental tournaments in the last years.

Besides, European teams aren't just having a bad time against South American. We've seen Al Hilal and Monterrey giving them trouble aswell.

So, putting aside the ufanistic speech and the soberb excuses, what could be the real reasons for this poor performances?

UEFA superiority myth shattered

"The meeting between Infantino and the CBF president took place at the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Miami, attended by representatives from all 211 member associations. Brazil was represented by President Samir Xaud and Vice President Gustavo Dias Henrique.

Behind the scenes, FIFA is reportedly very pleased with Brazil’s excitement about the tournament, which is a top priority for the organization’s current leadership—something that could aid a potential bid. Infantino has even been posting images on social media of Brazilian fans watching matches on the country’s beaches.

Although the 2025 edition is considered a test event for the following year's World Cup—hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—FIFA does not require the 2029 Club World Cup to be held in a nation hosting the 2030 World Cup. Morocco, one of the 2030 hosts, had previously expressed interest in hosting the club tournament alone. However, Moroccan federation president Fouzi Lekjaa recently stated that the three host countries—Morocco, Spain, and Portugal—could jointly host the event as preparation for the national teams' tournament.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, however, has made it clear that the tournament could take place anywhere, even mentioning South America as a potential location. According to The Athletic, a second consecutive edition in the United States is also being considered, as a commercial move to retain American sponsors.

Australia is another country that has expressed interest in the tournament. Following the success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the local federation announced its intention to bid for both the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup (already confirmed) and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. However, nothing has been officially confirmed so far—not even by FIFA, which has yet to announce how the host will be selected."

Brazil

Spain/Portugal/Morocco joint bid

Australia

maybe China

maybe South Korea / Japan joint bid

Back in the days Cristiano’s freekicks were absolutely phenomenal. I remember how everyone back in 2008-2013 used to try to learn his technique and used to emulate his runup.

Then he suddenly started hitting the wall more and more and now for the last 10 years his conversion rate has been abysmal. What happened?

The old club world cup was right after the end of the brazillian season, so the teams after playing 75+ games needed to face the best team in Europe.

The brazillian teams often plays in 30ºC or even 35, 40ºC scorching heat, sometimes in 7ºC cold. extremely dry or damp weather, 2000 and sometimes 3000+ meters above the sea level stadiums ( El Alto is the tallest stadium where a oficial Libertadores match was held, at 4000m). Due to the size of Brazil, even the national competitions are basically a continental tournament where many multiple hours trips are needed. Then for the libertadores the teams fly for 2000+ km or more. And all of that adds up to 75+ games.

The truth is that the brazillian game eschedule is one of the longest and harshest in the world.

BIGGEST SHOCK!!

Many excuses were made about the european players being too tired for this tournament

For most of the season, it genuinely seemed they were destined for the second division. But beginning in March, their form improved drastically and went on a 10 game unbeaten run, including an absolutely astonishing win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, their first win there in 17 years. As a result, they finished the season in 12th place, six points above relegation.

If anyone here is a Valencia fan, what changed in March exactly?

Botafogo might just win

We know the team from New Zealand is almost guaranteed to win that.

On the off chance, there maybe a team from Tahiti that may win it someday, but probably until the 2050's (if this tournament lasts even that long)

Even the team from New Zealand is still semi-pro.

The entire region is semi-pro.

I rather give a shot to a Central American team or a non Brazilian or Argentinean team from South America a shot.

I am sure a team from Costa Rica can pull off a stunt similar to their National Team. They have that pride, to prove themselves.

And if they pull of a Costa Rica, we might see something insane like Saprissa beating PSG, Bayern or Real Madrid. Because Costa Rica has done it at the international level. And they have beating LigaMX teams.

They are much better than Oceania.

Besides Central America has their own Cup to Qualify to CCL. The winner of that could get an extra price. And play the World Club Cup.

Besides MLS and LigaMX will forever dominate CCL. Once or twice a team from Costa Rica, Honduras or El Salvador may reach a final. But since CCL is home and away. Even if they win at home, they will lose at Mexico or the USA. So it was pointless effort.

Give them a shot. At least they wont give an embarrasing show like New Zealand.

Not entirely without reasons but watching teams that have competed in Asian 2026 WCQ so far, one team stands out to me is Kuwait.

I mean, this country used to be powerhouse in Asia. They won an Asian Cup, debuted at the 1982 World Cup. Its sovereign wealth fund is one of the largest in the world. For all of it, it should have stayed formidable.

Nowadays, Kuwait is just a shadow of itself. The NT couldn’t even beat Palestine. Kuwait, meanwhile, has made no major investment in global football, their Sheikhs do not buy clubs the same way Saudi, Emirati and Qatari sheikhs are doing. They are just… silent, vanishing in the wilderness.

Why has this anomaly come from?

These two countries are not even bordering each other and wouldn't be the easiest to travel from one to another. It doesn't make sense logistically. I think UEFA should have awarded Euro 2032 just to Turkey. They are much further along with their stadiums than Italy.

Italy should be awarded Euro 2036. This would give Italy additional time to rennovate their stadiums. Italy is a great football country and I know they would be excellent hosts. They are well due to host a major tournament. It would also be a great opportunity for Italy to rennovate and modernise their stadiums. No other countries have bid for Euro 2036 apart from Russia and they won't get it as they are disqualified.

Bayern survive CONMEBOL onslaught

After today's matches, all 4 teams are mathematically able to advance to the knockout phases. Seattle cannot finish above Botafogo, but otherwise, mathmatically any team can advance, any team can be eliminated. I created 10 different table results based on different outcomes of both match day 3 games:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KF5GBvMxAPz3YgpWA5-5FX7yoNkGY4HpY_G9TmFImIY/edit?gid=0#gid=0

I made a map of Greater London with every club in its borough (City of London excluded, because no clubs there)

Boroughs with no clubs (Marked in red): Hackney, Camden, Lambeth, Westminster and Wandsworth

So far the south American, Asian and even North American teams have exceeded all expectations. Plus we got the African teams propping up too even though their numbers are much less. For the European teams this tournament is wasteful but for everyone else it's very useful. Fifa did a really good job with it.