Columbia Chosen as Training Site for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

COLUMBIA, SC – With the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ on the horizon, the University of South Carolina has been chosen as one of 34 Team Base Camp Training Sites that 32 qualified clubs will utilize throughout the group stage. Columbia will be home to Fluminense FC, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

Fluminense is Brazil’s first and oldest club, holding a World Club Championship (1952), five national championship titles, and over 20 international tournament titles with more than five million fans worldwide.  

“The clubs, their players, coaches, management, staff, and fans will build incredible connections with the local people that support them throughout the tournament”, FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafström said. “This is a consistently important part of any World Cup, and I can’t wait to learn about the bonds forged throughout this historic event.” 

“It’s an honor to host Fluminense FC, one of the premier soccer clubs in the world, at Stone Stadium,” said Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati. “The University of South Carolina and the City of Columbia continue to be an amazing destination for soccer events, and we’re excited to continue to be a presence on the international soccer stage.”

Columbia is no stranger to being an international soccer host, hosting the sell-out Rivals in Red match between Manchester United and Liverpool last August that brought over 80,000 fans to Williams Brice Stadium from across the world.  

“To have the level of a team like Fluminense be impressed and use our facilities for their preparation is an honor and a compliment to the University,” Tony Annan said. “We are excited to host them and wish them well in the Club World Cup 2025”. 

“We are excited to be able to play a part in helping host Fluminense for the CWC”, head women’s soccer coach Shelley Smith said. “Our state-of-the-art facility has recently provided some professional teams from other countries with a place to train and prepare for their matches held in the USA.  This will be another opportunity to do that and for us to be a part of the excitement of the most popular sporting event across the world!”

Fluminense will begin training this weekend, with their first matchup kicking off on June 17 at MetLife Stadium (NJ) against Borussia Dortmund. Training sessions will not be open to the public.  

Fans can learn more about the 2025 FIFA CWC ™, including matchup information at https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025.  

Gamecock fans wanting to get in on the action can access exclusive discounted Club World Cup tickets. Use the link below and choose your favorite matchup and venue. 

https://www.gofevo.com/group/FevoFCWC