The FIFA Club World Cup is coming to North America in June 2025, and Sounders FC will make history as one of only two MLS teams in the competition.
“I think that in and of itself, makes a grand statement,” said General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel.
The inaugural edition of the revamped tournament features 32 of the biggest clubs from each of the six confederations around the globe. As 2022 Champions League winners, the Sounders will compete alongside other globally elite teams from AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA in the competition’s altered layout.
“We’re excited about the opportunity,” said Waibel. “It’s a new event in the sense that Club World Cups existed, but not in an actual World Cup format with the amount of teams and everything.”
What makes the world-renowned tournament even more compelling is that the Sounders side has the chance to compete on their home turf. Lumen Field will be a designated host site for the tournament where all three of the team’s group stage matches will take place.
"I can't wait to treat our fans," said Waibel. "We're ready to host, we're ready to be good hosts and we're ready to battle and show people what we're made of."
The tables are set as of Dec. 5, with the Sounders lined up to take on powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid and Botafago in Group B.
Sounders FC has faced international clubs in previous exhibitions, but have never faced teams of that caliber in matches that matter.
Waibel and the Sounders are ecstatic to take on that challenge.
“I'm looking forward to matching up against some of the best teams in the world in games that have repercussions,” said Waibel. “That forces in-game decision making, tactical decision-making, all these things that we get to kind of geek out on in terms of soccer.”
The Sounders’ inclusion in one of the biggest tournaments in the world not only comes with the chance for the North American side to showcase themselves on an international stage, but it opens doors to future possibilities at the organization.
“There are exposure moments for the players at any club we play, if we're able to host them and host them at our facility,” said Waibel. “And there's exposure moments that could alter and sway players' minds on what their plans are in their future when their current contract expires.”
This means potential recruitment circumstances for Sounders players as well.
“In the end, I think, any time you have the ability to gain the amount of exposure to play against clubs like this, and play well against clubs as well as genuinely, it might not be us scouting someone else's players, it might be them scouting ours,” said Waibel.
