FIFA Club World Cup 2025 set to break barriers as 22 Nations make historic player debuts

This groundbreaking milestone underscores FIFA’s commitment to global inclusivity and reflects the evolution of international club football, where talent from emerging nations is increasingly defining the elite level of the sport.

A Global First for 22 Nations

Among the countries debuting representation at a senior FIFA tournament through their club players are:

• Africa: Burkina Faso, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe

• Europe: Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Luxembourg, Montenegro

• Asia & Middle East: Palestine, Syria, Uzbekistan

• Caribbean & Americas: Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Venezuela

These nations, while absent from FIFA’s main World Cup stage, now step into the global spotlight through club representation a testament to the expanding reach and influence of world football.

Spotlight on Emerging Stars

• Peter Shalulile, striker for Mamelodi Sundowns FC, will make history as Namibia’s first player to feature in a FIFA senior-tier tournament.

• Telasco Segovia, a midfielder for Inter Miami CF, leads a group of six Venezuelan players representing their nation—despite Venezuela never qualifying for a FIFA World Cup.

• Denis Bouanga, playing for Los Angeles FC, secured Gabon’s place in the tournament after scoring the winning goal against Club América during the play-in match.

Clubs Driving Inclusion

This tournament reflects the rising diversity in elite clubs, which are now actively scouting and investing in talent from previously overlooked football nations. Mali, for example, will be represented by eight players across different clubs, demonstrating the untapped depth of footballing potential in West Africa.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has long advocated for the globalization of club football, and the 2025 edition proves that vision is taking shape:

“This tournament represents not just the best of football, but the best of what football can do bridging nations, creating opportunity, and uniting the world.”

What to Expect in the USA

With 32 clubs from all confederations set to battle across multiple venues in the U.S., the 2025 tournament is designed to mirror the scale and prestige of the FIFA World Cup, only at the club level. Matches will be played in iconic stadiums across major U.S. cities, with the final set for Sunday, July 13th.

This year’s edition is expected to draw record viewership and could reshape the way the world engages with club football, not only in Europe or South America but across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.