Football’s Biggest Stars Come Stateside
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is coming stateside. Beginning on June 14, some of the world’s best soccer clubs will compete in the biggest-ever edition of the event, after FIFA expanded the competition to 32 teams from six continents. The event is taking place in the United States as a prelude to next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Among the participants in this summer’s tournament: UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain, German juggernauts Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Spanish giants Real Madrid, English powerhouses Manchester City and Chelsea, and UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan. Argentinian soccer institutions River Plate and Boca Juniors are competing, as are Al-Hilal, one of the best teams in the Saudi league. Oh, and by the way, the GOAT, Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami FC will also take a run at Club World Cup glory.
The tournament gives a chance for American fans to see some of the best players in the world. But also, this is still an off-season tournament, and with so many of the biggest clubs having packed schedules (PSG and Inter Milan’s season finished only two weeks ago), we should also see some of the best young players from these clubs, as they attempt to make the breakthrough into the upper echelons of world soccer. Let’s take a look at some of the best teams, most exciting players, and the cards of those who will compete to win the 2025 Club World Cup.
Inter Miami FC
Messi’s team will get things started in the tournament’s opening match on Saturday. The MLS club also gets home field advantage, playing the opener at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium against Al Ahly FC of Egypt.
Messi is still the big draw, but collectors should keep an eye on talented youngsters Federico Redondo and Benja Cremaschi. Cremaschi is one of the hottest prospects from the rookie class of 2023 Topps Chrome® MLS. This 2023 Topps Chrome MLS Orange Refractor /25 RC is listed on Fanatics Collect for $90.
Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
The UEFA Champions League winners will be a huge draw. The exciting young team is led by superstar Ousmane Dembélé and 20-year old prodigy Désiré Doué, who announced himself on the global stage with an electric performance in the Champions League Final.
Two of the biggest Doué card sales of all-time came on the day of the final, with a 2022/23 Topps Chrome UCC Black Refractor /10 and a 2022-23 Topps Finest RC /10 both going for $4,000.
Having played so many games this year, PSG may choose to highlight some of its other exciting young players, including Warren Zaire-Emery and Senny Mayulu. Zaire-Emery was one of the rookies to chase in Topps’ 2022-23 soccer releases. Mayulu is a sought-after rookie in 2024-25 Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions. His 1/1 Superfractor Auto sold for over $4,000 on June 2, 2025.
Bayern Munich
The German champions will be bringing some heavy firepower to this tournament. Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala remain two of the world’s best players, and the club will have a huge following throughout the tournament.
Cards of both stars can be found in the recently-released 2024-25 Topps Chrome UCC and 2024-25 Topps Midnight Bundesliga.
River Plate
The Argentinian team is in a unique situation during this tournament. The 17-year old phenom Franco Mastantuono electrified South American soccer this past season and will be bringing his talents stateside. But, he is close to a deal to join Real Madrid, who will also be competing.
It appears that Mastantuono, who recently became the youngest player to play in a competitive match for the Argentinian national team, will take part in this competition with River Plate. He’ll get a chance to shine on a big stage before perhaps making the leap to the sport’s most famous team.
Real Madrid
It wouldn’t be a global club competition without Real Madrid. Like the other big European clubs, the tournament may offer collectors the chance to get a glimpse at some of the younger talent looking to break through next season. Brazilian youngster Endrick, one of the highly-featured rookies of this year’s Topps soccer releases, should get some shine, along with Turkish star Arda Güler.
Of course, it’s Real Madrid, so the stars should also be out in full force. Superstar Vinicius Jr. is one of the leading lights of the Soccer Hobby, and he’s in the squad for this global competition.
Manchester City
After years of dominating English soccer, Manchester City did not win any major trophies this season, and will be looking to start fresh at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Phil Foden will be looking to recapture his best level of play, while one of The Hobby’s biggest stars, Erling Haaland, will lead the line for City.
This 2019-20 Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League RC, from Haaland’s time with Borussia Dortmund, sold for $156,000 on July 27, 2023.
Summer Soccer Stateside
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup should be compelling summer viewing for fans and collectors of The Beautiful Game. The combination of some of the sport’s best players and some of the game’s brightest young stars make this an event worth following.
Enjoy the competition, while getting a sense of who is poised for a huge season, what young star is ready to breakout, and of course, what club can grab the trophy as the champions of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
