We are over a month away from the FIFA Club World Cup tournament and “Listen In With KNN” radio show and podcast had the exclusive opportunity to get the inside scoop in a new audio episode.
As host, founder and executive producer Kelsey Nicole Nelson sat down with the Chief Business & Strategy Officer at FIFA, Amy Hopfinger. The duo discussed the next two exciting years of soccer action fans will have access to here in the United States.
Amy Hopfinger leads strategy, planning and multiple key cross-organization functions for both the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 26. Throughout her 20 years of working in the industry, she has been the former vice president of events for the US Soccer Federation. She worked closely with US Soccer during their 2018 bid for the FIFA World Cup and was given the honor of being the first US employee for World Cup 2026.
To Hopfinger, this 32-team Club World Cup has everything soccer fans have been looking for in regards to international play. Something the U.S. has not seen in a very long time as the last men’s World Cup in 1994, and women’s World Cup back in 99’ and 03’.
“There’s a lot of soccer in the United States. We’ve got a number of a lot of great professional leagues. We got teams that come from all over the world every summer to play exhibition games. But this is the first time you can see these world champion teams — your Manchester City, your Juventus and others in the United States, in competitive matches. So this is the best of the best playing for a world championship.”
The selection of the host cities for the Club World Cup 25’ had two main aspects. First a way to try out venues that will be used for next year’s World Cup. This presents a perfect opportunity for cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Seattle to utilize their stadiums for two consecutive summers.
FIFA wanted to make sure the Club World Cup was the opportunity to spread light onto cities who don’t have the chance to host in 26’. Cities that were involved in the US original bid back in 2018 included cities such as Washington, D.C, Cincinnati, and Orlando.
Looking ahead, the-D.C. area also gets the spotlight for June as three big time matchups will be hosted in Washington D.C at Audi Field. Host Nelson brought up how soccer culture has grown in D.C. and how the local community has embraced the hometown soccer teams. The NWSL’s Washington Spirit has seen a rise in season-ticket sales, growing their season-ticket base by 71% and 4th in NWSL attendance with 13,952 per game. As well with DC United’s ever-growing MLS fanbase.
“DC has a great soccer culture. I used to love doing games back in the day at RFK and then more recently at Audi Field. I’m so excited to be back in D.C. for this tournament,” said Hopfinger as she has always enjoyed the fan friendly atmosphere that D.C. has to offer.
East coast fans can also rejoice as there are 20 Club World Cup games down the I-95 between New York, Philadelphia and D.C.
According to Hopfinger, FIFA is currently in the operational phase of planning for the tournament. All the teams involved arrived in Miami a couple of weeks ago for a workshop. This was the last big gathering of all the teams until they play against each other. Staff members are being assigned to each team market as well as many promotional aspects being split between each market.
Marketing activities are starting to ramp up as the Club World Cup trophy is going on a tour throughout all of the participating teams’ markets It is currently halfway around the world right now, making stops in each host city and stadiums.
“The passion is just another level. These games mean something. These games are so important both in 25’ for the Club World Cup and 26’ for the World Cup. They’re all competitive matches. Everyone’s eyeing for a championship — these are not friendly games, these are not regular season games. These are the best of the best competing. There’s a lot on the line financially and from a bragging rights standpoint.”
The financial reward is major for this year’s tournament as there is $1 billion total in prize money. The Club World Cup champion can earn up to $125 million based on the payout structure.
With ideas continuing to roll on, Hopfinger and FIFA still have the 2026 World Cup as a top priority. Putting strategy teams for the upcoming World Cup in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Having offices set up in Toronto and Mexico City, in addition to Miami where the U.S. headquarters are based.
“They’re doing great work on the ground, working with their venue. We got two venues in Canada — Vancouver and Toronto. Three in Mexico — Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara. Each of those two countries are in a different place in their soccer journeys, so it’s really fun to see and hear about their planning.”
This tournament is not only huge for the USA as host nation but also for their national soccer teams. As Hopfinger told Nelson, she sees USA men’s soccer reaching its “tipping point” in the U.S. in next year’s World Cup.
“You look at what 1994 did for men’s soccer and the country, especially with the start of Major League Soccer. 2026 is the opportunity to take that to another level.”
The second phase of ticket sales has launched and is accessible through fifa.com/tickets. Other promotional and travel information will be later released days closer to the start of the tournament.
To listen to the full show, check it out below.
