Soccer legend hints at explosive U.S. growth as 2025 Club World Cup makes history | OneFootball

With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup coming to the United States, expectations have skyrocketed. But it would seem that no one is more hyped about this new chapter of soccer than the legendary Andrea Pirlo. For Pirlo-the hero of Italy's national team and AC Milan-the tournament provides the opportunity to change soccer in the United States and show the passion of Americans for the sport. With 32 of the best clubs in the world in this tournament, this will be a milestone for soccer, but most of all for American soil.

Elegance in the field, Pirlo never allowed stress to be overwhelming for him. Indeed, in his autobiography, he made crystal clear that in his performance, he didn't allow pressure to interfere. "Unfortunately, I can't play, but it would be amazing to experience this format," he said to FIFA, the world's soccer authority, thinking about the new format of the tournament.

The scale of the tournament impresses him, and he feels immense growth potential for soccer in the U.S. He thinks that to see the world's top clubs fighting it out-not just others but the American fans too, embracing the sport with newfound energy-would be an electrifying experience.

Sampdoria v Reggiana - Serie B / Simone Arveda/GettyImages

Soccer on the Rise in the U.S.: The Perfect Host

Having spent time in the U.S., Pirlo sees it as a perfect environment for the Club World Cup. For him, the United States is not only a sporty nation but one that is embracing soccer with both arms. Pirlo sees a reason for something big coming with the growth of MLS and a more astonishing accumulation of fans. How would someone describe that experience?

"The passion of American fans is amazing. MLS is growing fast, and soccer has already become one of the favorite sports here," Pirlo says. He pointed out that seeing the world's greatest clubs in iconic stadiums all over the States will be a gift from above for the American fans. For a crowd that has shown eagerness to host world sports events, the Club World Cup could be that final push needed to solidify soccer as one of the country's top sports.

Andrea Pirlo at MLS match New York City FC v Columbus Crew / Ira L. Black - Corbis/GettyImages

2025 Club World Cup Format: Competitive and Exciting

For the 2025 Club World Cup, FIFA has devised an exciting new format, with 32 teams being divided into eight groups of four. The first two in each group will advance to the knockout rounds, which means the competition is expected to be high and the games thrilling. Pirlo feels this model is the best way to keep fans hooked right from the beginning, as the Club World Cup promises fierce battles at every stage. Unlike any other competition, it guarantees that every match will be a kind of final.

Throw in FIFA's new tiebreaking rules-add a twirl to the proceedings-and you get head-to-head results at the top of the tiebreaker board, followed by goal difference and goals scored. All of which may make this group stage even more calculated, requiring teams to be focused and tactical from the opening whistle.

Club World Cup Legacy in the U.S.

On the impact of the tournament in the United States, Pirlo was very clear: the Club World Cup is much more than just a soccer competition. In his judgment, this is a good opportunity to create something very special that the sport will remember for a long time in America. "It's a spectacle for everyone, the whole world, but especially American fans, who watch games with so much passion," Pirlo says.

The hope is that the tournament will capture not only American audiences' attention but also new generations of players and fans. According to Pirlo, with the top clubs from Europe and South America present in the States, this will ignite a new wave of fan interest in soccer, placing it at the heart of a country that is always hungry for new sports passions.

Historic Clubs in Action

Pirlo mentioned the participation of Italian clubs Juventus and Inter Milan, both from his own footballing history. To him, it is a source of pride to see these teams play on a world stage in the United States and a great opportunity for visibility in such an important market. They're focused on Serie A and the Champions League right now, but once the Club World Cup comes, they are going to be ready to give all their best," he said.

Having these European giants together with the best clubs of the world only creates an ambiance of excitement and healthy rivalry that surely catches the attention of American fans. In the U.S., the Club World Cup has all the ingredients of turning out to be a true festival of soccer, bringing passions from across the globe to one venue alone.

United States: The New Home for Big Soccer Events

With the 2025 Club World Cup, the United States furthers its place among the best hosts of international soccer events. Along with the 2026 World Cup, this tournament sends some pretty important signals about the direction of the sport in the US. The future of soccer is going to be with the American market, and it finally seems that FIFA is catching on.

Pirlo believes this transfer to be a milestone for world football, which continues to grow and spread in each country. The Club World Cup in the U.S. would grant this country the opportunity to prove its capability of hosting and supporting soccer-which means full stadiums, top-notch infrastructure, and wild fans.