Football is often described as poetry in motion, but for those who watch, those who partake, and those whose job is to bring the beautiful game to the masses, it is poetry. These words were spoken seven years ago by legendary commentator Peter Drury and have remained just as iconic today. They perfectly encapsulate what the world’s most popular sport means to everyone on every side of the footballing aisles.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is poised to be a landmark event in global football, offering unparalleled opportunities for brands to engage with a massive, mobile-first audience.
With the tournament’s expansion and the increasing dominance of mobile platforms, especially through Mobile OEM advertising, brands have a unique chance to amplify their presence during this high-profile event and get in on the ground floor of this newly expanded and revamped tournament set to rival that of the World Cup itself.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Set to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature an expanded format with 32 teams from all six FIFA confederations.
This includes 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and four each from Asia, Africa, and North/Central America, along with one team from Oceania and one from the host nation, the USA. The tournament will span 11 U.S. cities, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
With a record-breaking US$1 billion prize pool, the tournament underscores its significance on the global stage. Top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain are set to participate, ensuring high viewership and fan engagement.
Who’s Playing and Where Fans Are Watching: Regional Insights
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will bring together 32 elite clubs from all six FIFA confederations, representing diverse regions and football cultures. As fans worldwide increasingly turn to mobile and digital platforms to follow their teams, this tournament offers a unique lens into global digital football engagement.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup Teams
Asia
Teams: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (United Arab Emirates), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
Asian football markets have rapidly embraced digital and mobile consumption. In Japan and South Korea, platforms like DAZN Japan and Coupang Play report surging mobile viewership, especially among younger fans. In the Middle East, platforms such as beIN Sports Connect and Shahid offer localized content and mobile-friendly services, driving substantial growth in mobile football engagement.
Africa (CAF)
Teams: Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad AC (Morocco), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
African football fans are increasingly accessing matches through mobile streaming as smartphone penetration improves. Local and international broadcasters have expanded mobile services, which has fueled rapid growth in digital football consumption during CAF Champions League matches and other major tournaments.
North America (CONCACAF)
Teams: Monterrey (Mexico), Seattle Sounders FC (United States), Pachuca (Mexico), Los Angeles FC (United States), Inter Miami CF (Host, United States)
The North American football scene is expanding rapidly, with MLS and Liga MX clubs featured prominently. Digital platforms like ESPN+, Peacock, and TSN Direct report record soccer streaming numbers, heavily driven by mobile viewers, especially during FIFA tournaments and domestic league matches.
South America (CONMEBOL)
Teams: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo (Brazil), River Plate, Boca Juniors (Argentina)
South America’s fervent football culture extends strongly into mobile and digital channels. Brazilian and Argentine broadcasters such as Globo and ESPN Latin America report mobile streams accounting for over 40% of digital football viewership, especially during high-profile events like the Copa Libertadores and Copa America qualifiers.
Oceania (OFC)
Team: Auckland City (New Zealand)
Auckland City continues its dominance as Oceania’s sole representative. While traditional broadcast remains important, growing internet access has driven increased mobile streaming of football across Oceania, opening new opportunities for advertisers targeting passionate, digitally connected fans in this emerging market.
Europe (UEFA)
Teams: Chelsea, Manchester City (England), Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Inter Milan, Juventus (Italy), Porto, Benfica (Portugal), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
European clubs lead the way in digital football consumption, with streaming giants like DAZN and BT Sport reporting record-breaking engagement. UEFA Champions League finals and other top competitions increasingly attract mobile viewers, making Europe a critical region for mobile-first advertising strategies.
India
Though no Indian team is competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the country’s football fever is real. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, over 110 million viewers streamed matches on JioCinema – the first time digital viewership surpassed traditional TV for a global sports event in India. The final alone attracted 32 million digital viewers, highlighting India’s rapidly growing mobile-first football audience.
This global tournament not only spotlights world-class club football but also reflects the accelerating shift toward mobile and digital consumption worldwide. For advertisers, it represents an unmatched opportunity to reach millions of highly engaged football fans across diverse, mobile-first market.
See related articled: IPL 2025: A New Era of Digital Engagement with Mobile OEM Advertising
Why Sporting Events Present Prime Opportunities for Mobile Advertising
The newly expanded format of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup presents an unprecedented opportunity for brands, especially in mobile advertising. With a record 32 clubs participating, the tournament now includes more matches, significantly amplifying the volume and frequency of advertising opportunities.
Diverse representation: The diverse representation of teams from all six FIFA confederations broadens global interest and opens channels to engage mobile users in emerging markets, many of whom primarily access content via smartphones.
International viewership: Hosting the event across multiple major U.S. cities will stimulate an influx of international viewership and local engagement, making mobile OEM advertising particularly effective.
Global passion: Given the global passion for club football and the enhanced visibility of this revamped tournament, brands have a distinct opportunity to leverage the FIFA Club World Cup to reach highly targeted, engaged audiences. Unlike traditional global national tournaments, club football loyalties and fandom transcend borders and language, making them a truly global audience.
How Brands Can Leverage Mobile OEM Advertising During the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and Other Sporting Events
Dynamic Preload Campaigns for Early Momentum
Leading up to the tournament, brands can partner with mobile OEMs to dynamically preload branded apps on new devices being shipped across key football-watching markets around the world. Imagine a sports betting app, streaming service, or food delivery brand ready to be installed on millions of smartphones, poised for activation as the tournament kicks off.
Related: Download the Dynamic Preloads Super Guide
Lock Screen & Notification Ads During Key Matches
With fans checking scores and updates on the go, mobile OEM ads placed on lock screens or via push notifications can serve as highly visible, real-time touchpoints. “Order now for half-time” has been a popular refrain on British television, often heard before a Premier League broadcast for several food chains. Delivery apps could do the same via a notification or lock screen ad, creating a frictionless route from ad to app to order.
Keywords and Contextual App Store Promotion
Alternative app stores (like GetApps on Xiaomi or AppMarket on OPPO) offer targeted placements that are surfaced when users browse or search. For example, a fantasy football or sports streaming app could promote itself under contextual queries like “football scores,” “stream Club World Cup,” or “match schedule” during peak matchdays.
Regional Campaign Customization
Mobile OEMs support hyper-targeted campaigns by a variety of targeting options such as region, language, or user behavior, among others. The ability to target and hone in on desired audiences is a level of granularity and nuance unavailable in many traditional channels.
Post-Match Retargeting and Engagement
After major matches, brands can re-engage users with a whole host of mobile OEM ad formats designed to drive conversions. A travel brand, for example, could serve location-based ads like “Fly to New Jersey for the final! Book now!” to users in nearby cities as the tournament progresses.
A Year Packed with Global Sports: Key Events and Advertising Opportunities
Apart from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup the next 12 months are packed with major international sporting events spanning football, rugby, athletics, basketball, cricket, winter sports, and more. These tournaments attract huge global audiences and create prime opportunities for advertisers to connect with passionate fans year-round. Below is a curated calendar highlighting the key sports events from July 2025 through July 2026.
Major Global Sporting Events: June 2025 – July 2026
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
June 15 – July 13, 2025 | USA
Expanded 32-team global club football tournament, drawing massive worldwide attention.
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
July 2 – 25, 2025 | Switzerland
Europe’s premier women’s football championship.
World Athletics Championships
August 13 – 25, 2025 | Tokyo, Japan
Global track and field competition.
Rugby World Cup 2025
September 6 – October 28, 2025 | Australia
One of rugby’s largest international tournaments.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2025
September 2025 | Philippines, Japan, Indonesia
Top international basketball competition.
Cricket World Cup 2025 (Men’s)
October – November 2025 | India
Premier international cricket tournament.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (F1 Season Finale)
December 5 – 7, 2025 | Abu Dhabi, UAE
Final race of the Formula 1 season.
Winter Olympics 2026
February 6 – 22, 2026 | Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Premier winter sports event.
Six Nations Rugby Championship 2026
February – March 2026 | Europe
Annual rugby competition among six European nations.
World Athletics Indoor Championships 2026
March 2026 | Toronto, Canada
Major indoor track and field event.
World Figure Skating Championships 2026
March 2026 | TBD
Leading international figure skating competition.
2026 FIFA World Cup
June – July 2026 | USA, Canada, Mexico
The largest international football tournament with 48 teams.
With this lineup, advertisers have a year full of global sporting moments to engage diverse and passionate audiences worldwide.
Ready to kick-off your Mobile OEM Advertising journey?
Partnering with experts in mobile OEM advertising is crucial to capitalizing on the immense opportunities presented by the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and other major sporting events. With the right game plan and tactics, brands can navigate the mobile OEM landscape, ensuring optimal ad placements and maximum ROI.
Book a demo with our team today and discover how to maximize your mobile advertising impact.
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