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This is a country that’s all about hockey – so it’s easy to forget that soccer — or football, if you prefer — is actually there in the background… quickly and quietly growing into something that more and more Canadians are getting passionate about. The Canadian Premier League is building momentum, the men’s national team is ready and set for the home World Cup in 2026, and there are more Canadian players playing in top European leagues than ever before.
But while it’s the international World Cup that takes up most of the headlines, there’s also the FIFA Club World Cup that shouldn’t be overlooked… especially this year when the action takes place in the US of A, bringing it closer to home than ever before.
And it’s entering a very exciting phase. What used to be a short but sweet winter tournament has turned into a massive 32-team spectacle. So, if you’re not fully up to speed with it all… but your interest is piqued, here’s everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.
What Is the Club World Cup?
Originally launched in 2000, the FIFA Club World Cup is a tournament that brings together the very best teams from every continental confederation, who all battle it out to be crowned best club team on the planet. It used to only include the winners of each region’s top club competition — like the UEFA Champions League for Europe, the CONMEBOL Libertadores for South America, and so on — and the top-performing club of the host country.
It used to be a pretty small event, usually held in December as a mini-tournament with just seven teams, with European teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich tending to do well… However, FIFA’s big revamp has changed everything.
Bigger, Bolder – And Global
What used to be a winter warm-up has now become a summer showcase, which is now like the World Cup for national teams. There are now 32 clubs – lots of European and South American clubs and more entrants from North America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, Palmeiras, and Al Ahly all made the grade – and for North America, the excitement is growing too: Mexican sides like Club América are being joined by MLS representatives. And now that the Canadian Premier League is growing, Canadians are already dreaming of the day when a CPL team could take on the best in the world.
And although there’s no CPL team in it just yet, you can still follow the FIFA Club World Cup betting odds and see who the favourites are to lift the trophy this time around.
Why Should Canadians Care?
But why should Canadian soccer fans even bother when Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps aren’t involved (yet)?
Well, the Club World Cup is a reminder to us all that the sport isn’t just about the European superpowers — you can see for yourself how clubs from Egypt, Japan, or Mexico stack up against the likes of Chelsea or Real Madrid… and whether CPL teams could potentially make a mark.
Also, because of its expanded format, there’s more potential for North American soccer as a whole. MLS clubs and Liga MX clubs can actually make an impact – and maybe one day a club like Forge FC or Pacific FC can earn their spot.
And it’s also a chance to see our top Canadian players shine. With Alphonso Davies at Bayern Munich or Jonathan David potentially joining a Champions League contender, you actually do get to see Canadian football on the biggest stage.
Will a Canadian Club Ever Make It?
This is probably the biggest… and most exciting question for Canadian soccer fans. With the revamped CONCACAF Champions Cup now sending even more clubs into the Club World Cup – and with proper investment and fan support, Canadian clubs could soon be ready to join the party. It might feel like a long shot now — but five years ago, Canada qualifying for the men’s World Cup felt like a dream too. In football – or soccer – anything is possible.
