The Club World Cup begins: FIFA's new experiment in the United States is underway.

With an unprecedented US$1 billion prize pool and a star-studded lineup, the new FIFA Club World Cup has all the ingredients to become a monumental event. Inspired by the World Cup of international teams, the competition will bring together 32 teams from every continent from today until July 13 in the United States to crown a global champion.

With its ambitious format, the tournament has faced criticism and skepticism from the moment FIFA President Gianni Infantino began to float the idea. In an increasingly crowded football world, many believe this World Cup is forced into the calendar and doubt whether it will establish itself as a regular event.

Player representatives, such as the global union Fifpro, have warned that this increases an already excessive workload for footballers. "Players will be required to perform at the end of an 11-month season, with little prospect of obtaining sufficient rest before the next season begins," Fifpro warned when FIFA formally announced the tournament.

Another big question mark is how fans will receive the tournament in the United States, a country with little football tradition that has been entrusted with hosting huge international tournaments like the 2024 Copa América and the 2026 World Cup. Large crowds are expected for the qualifying matches, with top European clubs potentially facing Latin American powerhouses, but it remains to be seen how the box office will perform for group stage matches featuring representatives from Asia, North America, and Africa.

Matches like the one on June 17 in Orlando, Florida, between South Korea's Ulsan HD and South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns will certainly require the full power of American marketing to fill the stands. FIFA is confident that, with the streaming platform DAZN offering the tournament for free and the appeal of the club's and player's major brands, fans around the world will be captivated.

"We're talking about something never seen before, which will bring the magic of a national team World Cup to the club level," Infantino predicted.

In an era where players generate as much traction as clubs, the presence of stars like Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé should ensure a constant spectacle for television and social media.

Twelve of the 32 teams come from Europe, including recent Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain; the continent's most successful club, Real Madrid; Premier League powerhouses Manchester City and Chelsea; and German giants Bayern Munich.

The six South American teams are comprised of four Brazilian squads, including the reigning Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo and their Rio rivals Flamengo, along with Argentina's two most iconic clubs, River Plate and Boca Juniors. Adding to the local interest are three MLS teams: Los Angeles FC, Seattle Sounders, and Messi's Inter Miami. Also participating are Mexican teams Pachuca and Monterrey, who will presumably enjoy strong support in their northern neighbor.

Four clubs represent Africa, including Egypt's Al Ahly, which will open the tournament against Messi's Inter on June 14 in Miami, while the quartet representing Asia includes Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal.

Amid doubts about the teams' commitment at this stage of the season, FIFA announced that the tournament will distribute a record prize pool of approximately $1 billion. This prize pool is divided between participation fees, rewards for those who reach the final rounds, and a solidarity mechanism for club football around the world. The first winner of this expanded edition could pocket up to $125 million.

FIFA's current plan is for this format to be held every four years, but that could all change after the first trial. If it proves unsuccessful, critics are likely to reappear and question whether it's necessary, but if it succeeds, it could lead FIFA to consider holding it more regularly.