Why European clubs are struggling at the Club World Cup

A competitive tournament

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

The FIFA Club World Cup has delivered plenty of drama so far this summer, with thrilling goals and surprise wins from underdog teams. Hosted in the United States, the tournament has been anything but a walk in the park for Europe’s top clubs, many of whom underestimated the level of competition. With intensity rising and the stakes higher than expected, this first expanded edition is living up to the hype. The big question now is: who will emerge victorious and lift the trophy?

How do you get an invite?

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

The new Club World Cup format introduces a fresh way for teams to qualify, not just by winning a continental title like the UEFA Champions League or Copa Libertadores, but also by maintaining a strong performance across a four-year span. Each confederation was given a set number of slots: UEFA leads with 12, CONMEBOL gets 6, while CONCACAF, AFC (Asia), and CAF (Africa) each have 4.

Surprising losses

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

Real Madrid and Inter Milan were held to draws in their opening matches, while Chelsea and PSG both suffered defeats in their second games — each falling to tough Brazilian opposition. The message is clear: no team can take anything for granted in this Club World Cup.

Extreme heat

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

So why are European teams struggling to match their opponents on the pitch? According to The Athletic, the extreme heat and awkward scheduling are proving to be a significant challenge.

Major concerns

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

Borussia Dortmund head coach, Niko Kovac, told local press he was “sweating like [he'd] just come out of a sauna,” following his team's victory in Cincinnati. Temperatures on the pitch reached up to 32 °C (89.6 °F)! The extreme heat across the areas in the mid-Atlantic coast raised concerns ahead of the World Cup in 2026.

High temperature

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

Chelsea had to shorten their training in Philadelphia due to extreme heat, reports CNN. Their early sessions at Subaru Park (home of Philadelphia Union — MLS) have been cut short due to temperatures hitting 37.2 °C (98.96 °F). Manager Enzo Maresca even invited fans to spray water during the training sessions!

Saving energy for the game

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

“It's almost impossible to train or to make a session because of the weather. Now, we are trying just to save energy for the game,” Maresca told reporters during a press conference.

Brazilian clubs are on a roll

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

Brazilian clubs have stolen the spotlight at this year’s tournament, defying expectations and proving that underdogs can bite hard. Flamengo, Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Fluminense may not have the financial muscle of their European rivals, but they’ve shown they can hold their own on the pitch. “The graveyard of football is full of ‘favourites,’” warned Botafogo’s manager Renato Paiva.

Big financial incentives

A competitive tournament, How do you get an invite?, Surprising losses, Extreme heat, Major concerns, High temperature, Saving energy for the game, Brazilian clubs are on a roll, Big financial incentives

The Club World Cup doesn't feel like previous pre-season tournaments, which struggled to deliver high quality football. Another factor encouraging smaller teams is the lucrative prize pools, in order to incentivise competitive play. Clubs will earn €6.8 million for reaching the last 16 and €35 million if they win the final, while the losing finalist takes home €27.1 million. According to Transfermarkt, the final winner could return home with an excess of €100m in their pockets!

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