Focus on the new Club World Cup! Five key analysis: injuries, transfers, giants compete for dominance, and South America challenge

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (Club World Cup) will kick off in Miami, USA on June 15. Top club teams around the world will gather to compete for this top-level event newly created by FIFA.

This event adopts a new competition system of the top 32 group matches and knockouts, and FIFA hopes to enhance its reputation. The total bonus pool of up to $1 billion adds even more attractive weight. Although the outside world is worried about the additional burden on players, this new event is full of suspense as soon as it debuts.

On the eve of Saturday's opening game, we will sort out the five core highlights of the first new version of the Club World Cup:

1. Overwork of players: Sword hanging overhead

The biggest controversy facing the event is the risk of players' overload operation. Last season, many well-known stars, including Rodri, were suffering from injuries. Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in September 2024 and was directly reimbursed for the season. Some players have played more than 60 games since August 2024. Any long-term injury that occurs during the Club World Cup or weeks after the game will be subject to more severe scrutiny due to the general concerns of "too much game and too little rest".

Recent research even suggests that players should be given a mandatory four-week rest period. The long-term prospects have been cast in the shadow of the first event. Of course, the huge bonus may be enough to make it a fixed show on the future football calendar.

2. Transfer window: New players' debut

Although the injury caused the club, coach and fans to worry, an attractive deputy in the game will be the collective appearance of the new players. A special mini transfer window closed on June 10 witnessed the active trades of participating teams. The most important thing is Arnold, whose contract is about to expire from Liverpool for 10 million euros. The England international and Heysen, who joined together, became two key signings for Real Madrid's defense. How they adapted to the start of their careers in the world's top giants has attracted much attention.

Manchester City may be the most active club in the mini window: the introduction of French star Cherki is seen as a potential alternative to De Bruyne, while Ait Nuri switched from Wolves to strengthen the defense. In the midfield, Guardiola hopes that Reindez can complement Rodri and help the Blue Moon return to the top of Europe.

Chelsea also had its moves, but the focus was almost entirely on Liam Drapp, who had made his debut in the Blues. Head coach Maresca hopes that the England U21 international can solve the team's inability to striker, but he needs to compete with Jackson to take up his post.

3. Champions League champion: Paris' ambitions

Although new players stole the spotlight, a giant without new recruits will also attract countless attention in the United States: New Champions League champion Paris Saint-Germain. If the recent hot state can continue, this team, which has just won the Triple Crown (domestic league, cup and UEFA Champions League), will become the focus of the event and is also one of the popular cups to win in July. The 5-0 sweep of Inter Milan in the Champions League final was a turning point in club history, and now coach Luis Enrique must ensure that the team competes for the highest honor year after year, and the Spanish coach clearly sees the Club World Cup as one of the links.

If some of the amazing performances of the 2024/25 season can be copied (the performances of key players Vitinia, Douai and the Golden Balls Favorite Dembele are particularly anticipated), Paris Saint-Germain will be extremely difficult to defeat. If Dembele can lead the team to another championship in the United States, he is likely to lock in the most prestigious individual award in the football world: the Golden Globe.

4. Popularity in championships: Real Madrid and the new coach

Surprisingly, although Paris Saint-Germain is the most dazzling pre-match state, the number one favorite is Real Madrid. It is said that club chairman Florentino has promoted this event, and Real Madrid is determined to win it. The biggest "serial" in football will open a new chapter in the United States: Xavi Alonso will take over Real Madrid as the head coach for the first time. After Leverkusen's coaching performance was impressive, the Spanish young coach brought unlimited expectations to the Bernabeu.

The 43-year-old young coach faces multiple imminent questions: How to integrate new players? Is his preferred tactical formation feasible? How to maximize the power of Mbappe and Vinicius? But at the same time, excitement is also surging. If it can be successfully integrated, Real Madrid may once again have a team that dominates European football like the 2016-2018 King's Army. Although Paris Saint-Germain has just won the Champions League, the outside world is still optimistic that Alonso can start smoothly in Real Madrid's coaching position, and the Galaxy battleship is still the biggest favorite to win the cup.

5. South American Power: Mid-Season Challenge

Although there have been negative news in local events recently, South American teams have always regarded the Club World Cup as an event with both value and reputation. Since this tournament coincides with the mid-season of the club, the outside world also has high expectations for them. The defending champion of the Libertadoes Cup, Botafogo, played with recent champions Fruminense, Palmeiras and Flamengo. Boca Youth and River Plate are also eager to go further, and the generous bonus is undoubtedly an important driving force.

However, Boca and Botafogo are particularly difficult: the former is in the same group as Bayern Munich and Benfica; the latter is in the B group with Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. Fans don’t need to wait long to witness the direct collision between South American giants and European kings. This event, which has different historical evaluations in the two continents, may bring many unexpected surprises.