The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be a truly global spectacle. For the first time, 32 of the world’s best club teams will battle it out in a month-long tournament on U.S. soil. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Palmeiras, Al Ahly, Urawa Red Diamonds, they’re all in. But while the football world is getting ready for the action on the pitch, there’s a golden opportunity off it: a fantasy football game tailored specifically for the Club World Cup.
Here’s what that could look like, and why publishers, media platforms, and sports apps should jump on it.
A Fantasy Game Built for a Global Tournament
Fantasy sports thrive on format and the new structure of the 2025 Club World Cup is perfect for a short-term, high-stakes fantasy competition.
Game Format Ideas
- Squad-based: Pick a 15-man squad with a fixed budget. Set lineups, make transfers between rounds, and use special boosters to climb the leaderboard.
- Daily fantasy: Choose a new lineup each matchday or round, perfect for casual players who want quick-hit action.
- Prediction hybrid: Combine fantasy team management with score prediction challenges to spice things up.
Key Features
- Live stats and leaderboards
- Club-specific mini-leagues (e.g. only Real Madrid fans)
- Global, country, and friend-based leaderboards
- Power-ups like Triple Captain or Extra Transfer
- Localized game versions for different languages and markets
Why Publishers Should Offer It
Fantasy isn’t just a game, it’s a proven content engine and growth lever. Here’s what a Club World Cup fantasy product can do for your platform:
Boost Engagement
Fantasy players are sticky users. They come back daily to set lineups, check points, and compete with friends. This can drastically increase time spent on site or in-app during the tournament.
Drive Acquisition and Retention
The global fanbase of clubs like Chelsea, Flamengo, Al Hilal, and Club León creates a natural viral loop. Fans invite fans. And the short-term nature of the Club World Cup makes it easy for newcomers to jump in without long-term commitment.
Gather First-Party Data
Get insights into user behavior, team loyalties, player interest, and regional preferences, all within a privacy-safe environment. Perfect for building audience profiles in a cookieless world.
Differentiate Your Coverage
Most platforms will report on the matches. Few will let fans play the tournament. Offering a fantasy layer turns passive followers into active participants.
A Rare Global Moment
Club football is normally segmented by region, but the Club World Cup brings the world together: European giants vs. South American powerhouses, Asian contenders vs. African champions. That creates a rare opportunity for truly global fantasy competition.
Whether you’re a media company, a sports betting platform, or a publisher looking to expand your sports offering, a Club World Cup fantasy game is a fresh, time-limited, high-impact way to ride the momentum of a major event.
