The FIFA Club World Cup has faced a wave of criticism from footballing bodies, clubs, players and fans in recent months, primarily over its decision to expand from a seven-team tournament to a 32-team competition.
Despite the backlash, the US has embraced the new format and is gearing up to prove the doubters wrong later this year with a world-class tournament. Among the selected host cities is Orlando, which is eager to showcase its ability to deliver on the global stage.
Speaking to Insider Sport ahead of the tournament, Jason Siegel, President and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, emphasised that, despite the controversy, tournaments of this scale bring significant benefits to the communities they touch.
Insider Sport: What is the expected economic impact of hosting the FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando?
Jason Siegel: We are eagerly anticipating the monumental impact the Club World Cup will have on our community. With an estimated economic impact of $70-90m, this international event is set to make a significant mark. It is expected to boost tourism, with fans from all corners of the globe coming to support their favourite clubs, leading to increased hotel bookings, restaurant patronage and support of local businesses. The influx of visitors will also lead to an increase in temporary jobs, such as event staff, transportation, etc., which all contribute to the local economy.
Additionally, the Club World Cup will have a great cultural impact. We’re honoured to have the opportunity to welcome teams from around the world, including Ulsan HD (South Korea), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Juventus FC (Italy) and Manchester City (UK), among others. We’re excited for the event to serve as a platform for cultural exchange with a common passion: soccer. The impact of the global spotlight of this event cannot be understated. Our city is looking forward to shining on the world stage.
IS: How is the Greater Orlando Sports Commission working to engage local communities in the lead-up to the tournament?
JS: We aim to ensure that everyone involved, from local businesses to community members to international fans, feel connected and part of a larger sports community in Orlando. Engaging the community is at the heart of everything we do, and the FIFA Club World Cup is a particularly exciting opportunity to bring people together.
We enjoy close collaboration with our government officials, including our two mayors – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to align efforts across the region and maximise the impact of the tournament. Their leadership, combined with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s collaborative approach, ensures that this event will be an inclusive and community-driven celebration.
In the lead-up to the tournament, we are looking to focus on initiatives that inspire local pride and encourage broad participation. This could include partnerships with schools, youth soccer programmes and community organisations to ensure that everyone across demographics can feel and take in the event’s excitement. This includes initiatives to involve underserved populations, ensuring that the Club World Cup is an event and a shared celebration.
IS: Are there plans to use the tournament to promote youth soccer or other community initiatives?
JS: Youth development and community engagement are central to our strategy, and this tournament will allow us to amplify those efforts in meaningful ways. It also provides the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand the footprints of Orlando’s own soccer clubs, Orlando City (MLS) and Orlando Pride (NWSL), develop a deeper relationship with the community and grow the talent pool.
Last year, Orlando City and Orlando Pride directly engaged with over 7,000 youth soccer participants within the Central Florida region and are on track for 12,000 participants in 2025, and in 2026, aim to have 15,000 to 20,000 participants to ensure the future of Orlando soccer is bright (and purple).
IS: What partnerships have been established with local businesses and organisations to ensure the success of the Club World Cup in Orlando?
JS: The success of the FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando is heavily reliant on the strength of our partnerships with local businesses, organisations and government partners. Over the years, we’ve developed a highly collaborative approach to event planning, ensuring that all stakeholders are able to bring something to the table and benefit from the opportunities this tournament brings.
Our partners – including but not limited to the City of Orlando and Orlando Venues, Orange County, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, FC Series, Florida Citrus Sports, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and Visit Orlando – are committed to making the Club World Cup a resounding success, and their dedication is a testament to the strength of our relationships.
The Club World Cup is a golden opportunity for local businesses to connect with an international audience. Our fully engaged hospitality sector, with over 140,000 hotel rooms and a well-established tourism infrastructure, is ready to welcome the world. We’ve partnered with hoteliers to create special packages for fans and teams, while local restaurants and entertainment venues are developing unique offerings to reflect the excitement of the tournament. Our partners are committed to ensuring that every visitor, without exception, has an exceptional experience in Orlando.
Our partnerships also extend to Orlando’s local entertainment powerhouses, Universal and Disney. These organisations play a key role in elevating the overall event experience, whether by hosting receptions for teams and officials or providing world-class entertainment options for fans while they’re in town.
IS: The expanded FIFA Club World Cup has been criticised for its potential scheduling conflicts and impact on players. What are your thoughts on these controversies?
JS: As a host city, our job is to deliver an exceptional outcome and experience for the athletes, clubs and their families and supporters. The Greater Orlando Sports Commission works closely with local tourism and hospitality partners, as well as the teams and players, to ensure seamless logistics.
We pride ourselves on creating environments that prioritise the needs of players while delivering exceptional experiences for fans and stakeholders. From reducing travel times between venues to providing convenient, world-class accommodations, we aim to minimise the stress on teams and players. Our infrastructure is designed to prioritise efficiency and player welfare.
IS: How can Orlando use this opportunity to showcase the city’s ability to host major global events and what does hosting the Club World Cup mean for Orlando’s reputation as a sports tourism destination?
JS: Hosting the FIFA Club World Cup is a significant opportunity for Orlando to solidify its position as a top-tier global sports tourism destination. This tournament not only allows us to demonstrate our ability to host large-scale events but also showcases the unique qualities that make Orlando a world-class destination for athletes and fans. With matches set to take place at both Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium, we stand out as the only host city utilising two venues, underscoring our robust infrastructure and organisational prowess.
Over the years, we’ve not only successfully hosted international competitions but also prestigious national events, such as Copa America matches, Premier League friendlies and the USA Track and Field Olympic Marathon Trials. The Club World Cup will further amplify the global recognition of these achievements.
The Club World Cup not only offers Orlando a platform to showcase its capacity for large-scale events but also paves the way for future opportunities. These include potential base camps for the 2026 World Cup, Women’s World Cup and Rugby World Cup matches, Premier League matches and other international friendlies, as well as Olympic events and training camps for the LA28 Olympic Games. This exciting future is well within our reach.
IS: Though Orlando has not been chosen as a host city for the 2026 World Cup, how hopeful are you that the Club World Cup will position the city as a potential host for future sports events?
JS: The FIFA Club World Cup is a cornerstone in Orlando’s journey to affirm its status as a premier global sports destination. While we were not selected as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this tournament offers an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our strengths and capabilities to the international sports community.
We’re thinking strategically about future possibilities. We’re investing $626m in renovations to Camping World Stadium and the Kia Center to ensure the ultimate environment for players and fans. In 2024 the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to increase the annual allocation of Sports Incentive Funding from $4m to $10m beginning in 2025, allowing us to maintain a competitive advantage to bring events to Orlando.
A successful Club World Cup will demonstrate that Orlando has the vision, infrastructure, and collaborative spirit needed to be a premier destination for global sports events. From the Women’s World Cup to Olympic soccer matches to the Rugby World Cup, we’re ready to take on what’s next, and the success of this tournament will pave the way for an exciting future filled with more prestigious events.
