English football powerhouses Chelsea and Manchester City are raking in tens of millions of pounds at the new FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, greatly boosting their transfer budgets for the summer. Chelsea have already secured over £40 million after their dramatic win in the last 16. Manchester City have also earned close to £38 million, with their next knockout match still to come.
The massive financial rewards come despite the tournament facing early challenges, including near-empty stadiums, extreme weather, and poor pitch conditions. However, for clubs like Chelsea, the prize money is already helping to cover the fees paid for new players.
Chelsea confirmed their place in the quarter-finals after a thrilling 4-1 extra-time victory over Portuguese side Benfica on Saturday, 28 June, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The match saw a significant delay of nearly two hours due to a storm, which pushed the game into extra time. This win alone added around £9.6 million to Chelsea's coffers, taking their total earnings from the tournament past the £40 million mark.
The Blues, led by manager Enzo Maresca, will now face Brazilian side Palmeiras in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash. That match is set for Friday, 4 July, in Philadelphia. The two teams last met in the 2021 Club World Cup final, where Chelsea lifted the trophy with a 2-1 win. The money earned so far is a welcome boost for Maresca's transfer fund.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have earned roughly £37.8 million from their participation. Their last-16 tie is against Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, scheduled for Tuesday, 1 July, at 02:00 UK time. The match will take place in Orlando, Florida. City had a flawless run in the group stage, topping Group G with nine points. If they win against Al-Hilal, they could meet either Inter Milan or Fluminense in the quarter-finals.
The expanded Club World Cup features 32 teams from around the globe, competing in a format similar to the men's FIFA World Cup. The total prize pot for the tournament is a record $1 billion (£730 million). A team that wins the entire competition could take home around £29.2 million in prize money, with Manchester City potentially landing approximately £92 million in total if they go all the way.
Clubs receive a participation fee just for playing, with European teams getting varying amounts based on "sporting and commercial criteria." City’s fee is the maximum £27.9 million, whilst Chelsea are also on the upper end of the scale. Prize money increases as teams progress: reaching the last 16 earns £5.5 million, quarter-finals £9.6 million, semi-finals £15.3 million, and runners-up in the final get £21.9 million.
Despite the huge financial incentives, the tournament has not been without its problems. Jude Bellingham, a Real Madrid star, openly criticised the poor pitch conditions. There have also been concerns raised by FIFPRO, the global player union, and European leagues about player workload and safety due to the demanding schedule. Ticket sales have also presented challenges, with dynamic pricing initially slowing demand for group stage matches.
