Infantino: CWC is next big revolution

Fifa boss blasts critics as global show begins

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In an interview with AFP, Infantino also took aim at critics of Fifa’s ticketing policy and said that sceptics who had questioned the need for the tournament would quickly change their minds.

The 32-team competition, with clubs from all continents, gets under way with Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al-Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium.

“It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup, right, started,” Infantino told AFP.

“Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That's why it’s also, this World Cup here is historic.”

The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 and Infantino noted that only European and South American teams took part, adding that the Club World Cup would give a chance to clubs from outside of football's traditional heartlands to play on the global stage. “We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world,” he said.