Al Hilal Club can completely create a surprise at the FIFA Club World Cup - Photo: REUTERS
FIFA's decision to expand the FIFA Club World Cup to 32 teams from 2025 is a golden opportunity for representatives from outside Europe and South America to assert their position and create surprises at the tournament.
In particular, the fact that European clubs are facing extremely tight schedules and their stars have to work continuously in domestic leagues and continental cups can make players exhausted or not reach their best form at the FIFA Club World Cup.
That can become a lever to help underrated teams create surprises, even go deep in the tournament.
Asia: A rising power with great ambitions
Firstly, for Asian football, they have been making strong strides thanks to strategic investment, especially from football nations like Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.
The emergence of competitive tournaments such as the Saudi Pro League, along with the attraction of many famous coaches and players from Europe, has helped Asian clubs gain experience and improve their tactics.
A typical example is Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), the team that reached the final of the 2022 Club World Cup, showing that the gap with European representatives is no longer too far.
Clubs like Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) or Ulsan Hyundai (Korea) are also familiar names with a proven class on the continent.
The combination of foreign quality and local player development creates a formidable force for these teams.
Africa: Indigenous talent and youthful boom
African clubs may not have as many stars as Europe, but they always have strong resources in young, fast and technical players.
A typical example is the Al Ahly team from Egypt - a familiar representative at the FIFA Club World Cup. And they have repeatedly caused difficulties for top European and South American clubs.
With a long tradition and enthusiastic support from fans, Al Ahly and other representatives such as Wydad AC (Morocco) or Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia) are always unpredictable, capable of creating surprises for big teams.
North Central America Caribbean: Experience and Courage
Although not flashy, CONCACAF teams are known for their fiery style of play and tight organization. Typical examples are Mexican clubs like Monterrey and Pachuca (CONCACAF Champions League champions).
Meanwhile, MLS clubs like Seattle Sounders FC and Los Angeles FC are also rising strongly thanks to their methodical player development models and smart transfer strategies.
With the tournament taking place in the US, especially the host Inter Miami CF will have a huge home advantage with enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Inter Miami CF will have a huge advantage with the enthusiastic support from the home crowd - Photo: REUTERS
Although the gap in skill level still exists, clear tactical advances coupled with good physical condition are helping Asian, African and CONCACAF clubs become formidable opponents.
In football, surprises are always the most exciting part - and at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, that's entirely possible.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/fifa-club-world-cup-2025-thoi-co-vang-cho-cac-dai-dien-ngoai-chau-au-20250607005549906.htm
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