Real Madrid is preparing to face a new challenge in its history, the new Club World Cup that FIFA is holding this June. In addition to sporting prestige, the participants are also putting an unprecedented amount of money on the line, which could provide a major boost for big signings. The tournament, which will debut an expanded format with 32 teams and will be played in the United States between June 15 and July 13, could earn the club up to €145 million if it wins the title. This record figure highlights the magnitude of the event.
FIFA has designed a competition with an added attraction, a prize pool of over €900 million, designed to make this tournament one of the biggest events on the global soccer calendar. In this context, Real Madrid is one of the main beneficiaries if it manages to advance through the rounds.
A Club World Cup with million-dollar prizes
The first Club World Cup will be contested by 32 teams and will be similar to a traditional World Cup for national teams. This expansion means not only more matches, but also a much greater financial reward for the participating clubs.
FIFA has confirmed that it will distribute €929 million among all the teams. Of this amount, €500 million will be fixed, awarded simply for participating, while the remaining €429 million will be distributed according to each club’s sporting performance.
Europe, as the dominant continent in club football, will receive the lion’s share: €284 million. Within that group, Real Madrid has a privileged position as the current European champion. Just for participating, it has already secured €35 million. In comparison, Atlético Madrid, another of the Spanish teams that qualified, will start with a fixed €20 million.
Real Madrid could win €145 million
The economic appeal of the tournament increases as teams advance through the rounds. According to FIFA’s breakdown, each stage passed means additional income:
- Round of 16: €7 million
- Quarter-finals: €12 million
- Semi-finals: €20 million
- Final: €28 million
- Champion: €37 million
If Real Madrid manages to win the championship, it would earn $145 million, a figure that far exceeds the income received for winning the Champions League or LaLiga in a season.
This amount would represent extraordinary income even for an institution of Real Madrid’s size, allowing it to make significant signings that it could not otherwise consider. For other clubs with tighter budgets, it represents almost an entire season’s income.
An opportunity for Real Madrid to make history
This new tournament is not only a top-level challenge on the pitch, but will also bring enormous economic benefits. The event will have a very strong international profile, with large television audiences and unprecedented publicity. Real Madrid, as it did with the European Cup, wants to be the first club in the world to have its name added to the list of winners. The club is already preparing for the tournament, knowing that the title will not only add to its historic record but also generate substantial financial gains.
Real Madrid is one of the favorites to win this tournament. The poor season does not seem to be a problem for the Whites, who are making a series of signings to strengthen the vulnerable aspects of the season. But they will not have it easy. PSG and Inter, the current Champions League finalists, are the other two big favorites to win this first Club World Cup, but Manchester City and Bayern Munich, who are not at their best, are also strong contenders.