The Lesson MLS Desperately Needs To Learn From The FIFA Club World Cup
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 9:00 am
FIFA Club World Cup Offers Lessons for MLS
The recent FIFA Club World Cup, despite facing challenges like unfavorable weather and empty seats, provided a compelling sporting spectacle. The tournament, fueled by a substantial financial backing, saw participation from all clubs, including those from Europe. With an average attendance of nearly 40,000 per game, the event rivaled top domestic leagues, drawing enthusiastic support from fans, particularly from Latin America and North Africa.
While the competition was criticized as a money-making venture, it also demonstrated that financial gains can align with sporting progress if they satisfy competitive needs. The tournament offered clubs outside of Europe's "Big Five" leagues a chance to compete on a global stage.
Major League Soccer (MLS) should take note, especially as it aims to capitalize on the momentum generated by Lionel Messi's involvement. The league faces consistent criticism regarding roster quality, match meaningfulness, and connection to the broader soccer world.
MLS has implemented initiatives like the Leagues Cup, which pits MLS and Liga MX teams against each other. While the concept is promising, the focus on maximizing short-term revenue, such as playing all matches in the United States, undermines competitive integrity. Similarly, MLS's expansion of playoff fields and games, driven by streaming service demands, has diminished the significance of the regular season. The league's disinterest in the U.S. Open Cup further highlights a lack of long-term vision.
The FIFA Club World Cup, despite its flaws, balanced financial considerations with competitive aspects, providing fans with a desired experience. MLS, however, seems hesitant to take similar risks and invest in its fanbase.
BNN's Perspective: MLS needs to prioritize long-term growth over short-term profits. While financial success is crucial, the league must focus on enhancing the quality of play, creating more meaningful matches, and fostering deeper connections with the global soccer community to truly thrive.
Keywords: FIFA Club World Cup, MLS, Leagues Cup, Liga MX, soccer, competition, revenue, playoff, U.S. Open Cup, Lionel Messi, sporting progress, attendance, roster quality, match meaningfulness, global soccer.