ICE, Border Patrol at FIFA Club World Cup games? Why normal practice is raising concerns
USA TodayMAY 31
FIFA Club World Cup Set to Kick Off in Miami
Above: A TV camera on the pitch of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on the eve of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 opener match. Image copyright: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The newly expanded Club World Cup feels less like a celebration of global football and more like a vanity project for FIFA president Gianni Infantino — a cash-driven initiative that few, especially the already overworked players, actually wanted. Its confusing qualification format and sluggish ticket sales further highlight the lack of organic enthusiasm. However, the competition is too big to fail as Saudi Arabia wants to use it to sportswash its reputation.
Narrative B
While it's certain that Infantino has interests of his own and that the calendar was already exhausting without the Club World Cup, this tournament is worth a shot. After all, soccer clubs are the heart of the game, and the world needs a truly inclusive global competition like this to allow teams from different parts of the world to compete on the global stage against each other, including European giants.