Juventus and Italy great excited to witness new 32-team tournament in 2025.
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FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature 32 teams for the first time
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Juventus are one of 12 clubs from Europe who will take part
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Former Juve icon Del Piero spoke to FIFA about the tournament
Alessandro Del Piero claimed football’s greatest prize during a trophy-laden career, yet even he admits the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ carries a unique appeal.
The former Italy international, who lifted the FIFA World Cup™ in 2006 following his nation’s dramatic penalty shoot-out success against France, had no hesitation when asked if he would have welcomed the opportunity to play against club teams from opposing confederations.
“Of course! It’s obvious, I wish I had,” the man who made his name as a talented forward told FIFA. “I would have liked it a lot, I’m sure.”
The new-look FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 leading teams – including Del Piero’s former side Juventus – and takes place in the United States next year from 15 June to 13 July, with the draw to determine the eight groups scheduled for 5 December in Miami.
The opening fixture will be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with the final game of the 63-match tournament to be hosted at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey, where the winning side will be presented with a spectacular new trophy, crafted in collaboration with Tiffany & Co.
This has created a real sense of anticipation for Del Piero, as he said: “All new things exert a special fascination, which is very beautiful, and obviously some curiosity, whether in a positive or a negative way.
“I think that managing to put together the best clubs in the world, from all countries, makes this a very fascinating event, and it is going to be very nice to watch.
“When you play a match, even when you play against a club you have faced before, the ‘taste’ of the challenge changes according to the competition you’re in.
“I’m very curious to see the outcome of this, and of these matches, because they’re also going to be played in neutral stadiums, so nobody has home advantage. It’s going to be very interesting.”
With the 12 most successful clubs from Europe over the past four seasons securing their places at the tournament, Serie A giants Juventus qualified on the back of their UEFA Champions League record, having reached the round of 16 twice in that period.
Del Piero, who is Juventus’ all-time leading appearance maker (705) and record goalscorer (289), accepts that the club he served with such distinction between 1993 and 2012 is now entering a new phase following the recent appointment of Thiago Motta as head coach.
“I wish them all the best,” he said. “Juventus are going through an unusual time. They’ve had huge changes in recent years, with the presidency and many of the staff at the club, practically everyone, and the coach this season.
“Every change inspires enthusiasm, but also many questions. There’s a lot of pressure at Juventus, and the Club World Cup is a huge deal. For Juve, being there is a great thing.
“They should be happy, organise themselves well, run hard and win games.”
