Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber praised the 2025 Club World Cup as a defining moment for North American soccer, calling the tournament a major breakthrough that firmly put the region on the world football map. In an interview with Reuters on July 11, 2025, he described the event as an “incredible success” and a “proud moment” for the sport across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Garber highlighted that more than three million fans attended matches across the expanded 32‑team tournament, showing both the depth of enthusiasm and the operational capability of North American hosts to stage sustained, large-scale international competition. He added that the event served as a vital “test run” for stadiums and logistics ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Garber reflected on the anticipation leading into the tournament, noting that whenever a novel format is introduced, there is always skepticism about how smoothly it will run and what impact it will exert on public perception. The Club World Cup exceeded expectations by drawing global attention to the American soccer market—something Garber said had been long overdue: “We always have a bit of a chip on our shoulder here in the U.S. soccer business… the energy and knowledge of our crowds … showed the world what we were capable of”.
MLS teams made notable impressions during the tournament. Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, secured a historic 2–1 victory over Porto, marking the first-ever competitive victory by an MLS club over a European side. Other MLS teams such as LAFC and Seattle Sounders FC also delivered strong performances, surprising many and demonstrating that emerging leagues can compete credibly on the global stage.
While acknowledging that European clubs remain dominant in global soccer, Garber emphasized that the tournament provided a valuable platform for emerging football markets and leagues to showcase their progress and competitiveness . “Some of the leagues that don’t get as much exposure as the super clubs were able to stand tall,” he said, highlighting the diversity and quality of participation beyond the traditional European powerhouses.
Garber also commended FIFA and president Gianni Infantino for successfully executing what he termed a “Herculean task”—staging dozens of matches across multiple venues, some of which had never hosted competitions of this caliber. He acknowledged that it wasn’t a perfect event, citing rapid stadium conversions, new ticketing systems, and punishingly hot weather conditions, but insisted that the overall experience marked real progress.
Looking ahead, Garber underscored the momentum the tournament has built for North American soccer, predicting that the region will be the “epicenter of global soccer” over the next few years, with the 2026 World Cup as the next major landmark . He emphasized that MLS, clubs, and players collectively are prepared to capitalize on this trajectory; the Club World Cup has reinforced belief in what the region can achieve as a host of top-tier international football .
Critically, the Club World Cup highlighted the growth of stadium infrastructure and fan engagement in venues that will feature in 2026, such as MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Lumen Field in Seattle, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Garber noted that staging high-profile matches in those cities helped validate North America’s ability to deliver on a global scale.
Despite occasional criticisms—including potential fixture congestion and calendar strain—Garber maintained that disruption is sometimes necessary to drive collaboration and schedule reforms, referencing earlier concerns raised by European leagues and players’ unions. He stated that these debates might ultimately lead to more sustainable coordination of global football calendars.
In summary, the Club World Cup served as more than just a tournament—it was a milestone affirming North America’s growing stature in global soccer. Through strong attendance, solid performances by MLS teams, and operational success across multiple cities, the region demonstrated readiness for the 2026 World Cup and opened the door to a future where North American soccer is a central player in the global game.
