The FIFA Club World Cup trophy appeared at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, marking the city’s role in the 2025 tournament.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The FIFA Club World Cup trophy made its appearance at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday.
This special event comes ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA Club tournament set to take place in Charlotte this summer. The stadium, home to Charlotte FC, is one of the 12 venues across the United States chosen to host this prestigious competition, which will kick off on Sunday, June 15, 2025, and run for 29 days.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at Charlotte’s event, emphasized the importance of this tournament.
“The FIFA Club World Cup in history to determine out of the 32 best teams in the world which one is actually the best,” Infantino said.Β
He highlighted that the tournament will feature 12 fantastic stadiums and include the 32 best clubs from around the world, marking a new chapter in footballβs global history.
Bank of America Stadium will join other notable venues such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and GEODIS Park in Nashville in hosting matches. This selection underscores Charlotte’s growing reputation as a soccer city, a sentiment echoed by David Tepper, owner and chairman of Tepper Sports and Entertainment. Tepper highlighted the city’s passion for soccer and its ability to draw large, enthusiastic crowds, which played a significant role in FIFA’s decision to include Charlotte as a host city.
“Charlotte is a soccer city. And one of the reasons I think that FIFA came here and called us up is because they recognized the crowds that we can bring, the passion we can bring, the energy we can bring,” Tepper said.
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The tournament will see the participation of top clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Benfica, bringing global soccer superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Harry Kane to the Queen City. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, with a combined total of seven Club World Cup titles, are among the favorites to win this year’s competition.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed her excitement about the city’s role in the tournament, noting the economic and cultural impact it will have.Β
“Charlotte knows a little bit about big soccer matches and big events,” Lyles said, referencing the record attendance of over 74,000 fans at Charlotte FC’s inaugural match.Β
She emphasized the city’s commitment to modernizing Bank of America Stadium, with a recent $650 million investment, to ensure it remains a top-tier venue for such international events.
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The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is not just about the matches; it also represents a significant economic opportunity for Charlotte. The tournament is expected to generate millions of dollars for the local economy and create numerous jobs. Additionally, FIFA has committed $1 million to community projects in each host city, including Charlotte, to build soccer pitches and support youth soccer programs.
As the city prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world, the excitement is palpable. The draw for the tournament will be held in December 2024, with the schedule published shortly after. With the world’s eyes on Charlotte, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 promises to be a historic event, showcasing the city’s passion for soccer and its ability to host world-class sporting events.
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