Porto president and former Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, has issued a caution to Chelsea and Manchester City regarding the FIFA Club World Cup’s prize money.
Villas-Boas revealed that the prize pool is currently “well below initial expectations,” a matter that is still under negotiation.
Chelsea, who qualified for the competition by winning the 2021 Champions League, are set to face Club Leon, Flamengo, and Esperance Tunis in Group D. Meanwhile, Manchester City has been placed in Group G, where they will compete against Juventus, Wydad AC, and Al Ain.
Ongoing Prize Money Negotiations
Despite FIFA’s directive for clubs to field their strongest starting line-ups, ongoing discussions aim to better distribute the prize money.
Villas-Boas explained that the prize money for European clubs is expected to range between €16 million and €20 million (£13.2m and £16.5m), with the potential for an increase depending on a club’s performance.
He also highlighted that Porto, which missed out on the Champions League this season, is pleased to participate in the competition, despite the financial discrepancy.
Porto’s Group Stage and Opponents
Porto, placed in Group A alongside Palmeiras, Al Ahly, and Inter Miami, will kick off their campaign in the opening game on June 15, 2025.
Villas-Boas discussed the excitement surrounding the event, particularly the relationship between Porto and Palmeiras, which started with an exchange of commemorative shirts even before the teams knew they would face off.
He also mentioned the challenges posed by Egyptian teams, known for their intense style of play, as well as the star-studded presence of Inter Miami, which boasts notable players like Messi.