Asian teams chase windfall at FIFA's Club World Cup

South Korean champ wins over 25% of its yearly revenue simply by showing up

This pitch in Seattle, Washington, waits for the Seattle Sounders FC and Botafogo to kick off FIFA's expanded Club World Cup on June 15. While the tournament has its detractors in the West, Asian teams can't wait to make their presence felt. © Reuters

JOHN DUERDEN

June 17, 2025 15:05 JST

SEOUL-- This week, Asia makes its bow in the new-look FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament featuring teams from every soccer confederation and being held across the United States through July 13. Early Wednesday morning Tokyo time, the Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan will face Argentine giant River Plate in Seattle, Washington. A few hours later, in Orlando, Florida, South Korea's Ulsan HD will take on the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.