Thirty-two football clubs from across the world’s top leagues will compete in the new FIFA Club World Cup across 11 cities in the United States. The tournament will run from June 14th through July 13th and is an exciting opportunity for American fans to experience football firsthand.
Often, American fans lack a certain hometown connection with a club, and it can be daunting to dip your toes into watching soccer. Here are five teams that Americans may want to support in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The basics
Still, it’s safe to say that many Americans are pretty clueless about the ins and outs of football–or as we call it, soccer. Here are the basics of what you need to know.
The highest levels of men’s soccer are generally considered to be found overseas in Europe in the big five leagues: the Premier League (England), Bundesliga (Germany), La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), and Ligue 1 (France).
The FIFA Club World Cup allows top clubs from leagues all over the world, not just in Europe, to compete to be recognized as the best club in the world. Each continental football federation was given a certain amount of slots for clubs to qualify.
| Confederation | # of teams | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| AFC | 4 | Al Ain, Al Hilal, Ulsan HD, Urawa Red Diamonds |
| CAF | 4 | Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca |
| CONCACAF | 4 | Los Angeles FC, Monterrey, Pachuca, Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami (host) |
| CONMEBOL | 6 | Boca Juniors, Borafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, Palmeiras |
| OFC | 1 | Auckland City |
| UEFA | 12 | Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Inter, Juventus, Manchester City, Porto, PSG, Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg |
Eight groups of four teams will play in the group stage in a single round-robin format. The top two teams per group progress to the round of 16, which is played knockout-style until the winners are determined in the final.
The teams
With so many excellent teams to choose from, how does the unattached aficionado pick who to root for?
It’s common to hear to “support your local” or “support your dad’s team.” And of course, this kind of fandom is what lays the foundation of a club–football clubs are the culmination of a place’s people, culture, family, and values. Go search for your local soccer team! From top leagues like Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League to even your local pick-up game at the park, it’s so much fun to support a team with a community you can call your own.
But in a firmly global era, they’re certainly not the only kind of fan. Most big clubs have fans everywhere, with every kind of reason for their fandom. A friend, a distant relative, a favorite player, a fondness for the area or even just liking a club’s colors. In a world where celebrity is increasingly intertwined with sport, they may even just recognize a global superstar à la David Beckham or Thierry Henry.
I won’t bother highlighting the big names–the European dominance of clubs like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, or Manchester City speaks for itself, and everyone knows Americans love winners. Instead, I’ve picked a handful of clubs that have connections that American fans may feel attuned with.
Borussia Dortmund
The Black and Yellow is one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the Bundesliga, with a strong, raucous soccer culture. It’s recognized globally for its youth development, having developed stars like Erling Haaland and Ousmane Dembélé, among others.
Why: The red, white, and blue of the USMNT has a history with the Black and Yellow. USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna currently plays for BVB, and Christian “Captain America” Pulisic got his start at the Yellow Wall. USA youngsters Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert are also traveling with the team.
Inter Miami
Inter Miami is an easy pick, being one of three MLS clubs in the tournament. With its signature pink jerseys and star-studded roster, Inter Miami has exploded in popularity thanks to footballing legend Lionel Messi. Psst, go check out the rest of the league. It’s heating up!
Why: One of the three MLS clubs and an underdog story considering a few squad injuries and recent wobbly form. Stars like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and David Beckham are all sure to rake in support.
Juventus FC
Juventus is another historic club with one of the biggest fan bases in Italy and around the world. And not for no reason–Juve is one of the most successful and decorated clubs worldwide and is considered a symbol of italianità (“Italianess”) across the diaspora.
Why: US nationals Weston McKennie and Tim Weah both play for the Bianconeri, with the former serving as vice-captain of the squad. Former players like Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Paul Pogba make this a fun team to support.
CF Monterrey
Monterrey is one of two clubs representing Liga MX in the tournament and regularly competes at the top of its home league’s table. It is the oldest club in the north of Mexico and is home to fiery rivalries and a passionate fan base.
Why: A strong fan base in its area and with many fans in Texas because of its geographical proximity. Real Madrid defensive legend Sergio Ramos captains the side.
RB Salzburg
Though a bit sanitized by the Red Bull brand, there’s no denying the dominance that RB Salzburg has had in the Austrian Bundesliga. The team has a reputation for player development, having produced talents like Sadio Mané, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Erling Haaland.
Why: Young USMNT player Brendon Aaronson had a successful season here, and former American player and current Canada coach Jesse Marsch led the club to a domestic title during his tenure.
Conclusion
If none of these teams excite you, it’s perfectly valid to just close your eyes and pick one! At the end of the day, the beautiful game is just a game and should be fun no matter who you support.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off with a match between Inter Miami and Al Ahly on Saturday, June 14th at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. You can catch all of the matches for free on DAZN, the official streaming platform for the competition.
