FIFA Club World Cup behind us, what issues emerged this summer that need to be addressed ahead of next summer's World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada? Our reporters weigh in.

Chelsea players were very confused by the United States president's actions following their historic FIFA Club World Cup victory.

I was a bit confused,” said Chelsea soccer star Cole Palmer after the president neglected to leave the stage following the trophy presentation ceremony.

The 2026 World Cup. The men’s tournament will begin on June 11, 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six matches, including two knockout games, will be played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (which will be renamed Kansas City Stadium next summer).

Fans from all over the world traveled to the United States to see the FIFA Club World Cup unfold, but crowds varied throughout the tournament.

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup wrapped up on Sunday with plenty of lessons learned for organisers FIFA, with the tournament in the United States, won by Chelsea, acting as a preview of the 2026 World Cup.

As the expanded 2025 Club World Cup comes to a close, The Sporting News examines the key takeaways for FIFA and local organisers ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

A remarkable list of VIPs filed into MetLife Stadium on Sunday to witness Chelsea’s defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final, and many of them were not connected to soccer.