Juventus star Weston McKennie believes it is ‘huge‘ for American soccer that the US will be playing host to the Club World Cup and international World Cup.
The USMNT star will be featuring for Serie A giants Juventus in the upcoming CWC tournament which starts on June 14, 2025.
In 12 months time, America – alongside Canada and Mexico – will be welcoming the globe’s best nations as the FIFA summer World Cup gets underway.
Weston McKennie On The Two Forms Of World Cup
“I think it’s huge,” the 26-year-old told DAZN.
“Obviously the US has taken big steps in that sense, bringing players that may be towards the end of their career, but are still very influential players – [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suárez, Jordi Alba, [Sergio] Busquets and, at the beginning of time, [David] Beckham and Zlatan [Ibrahimović] and all these guys going over to America, and it’s bringing more popularity to the sport there.
“So, I think obviously for Americans to be able to witness games and not the time difference of having to stay up or wake up early to watch games over here, they can see it right there live and see the players that they support and teams that they support.
“I think it’ll draw more attention as well. And obviously, when the actual (FIFA) World Cup comes around, I think that’ll be very big for the culture or soccer culture in America, because I think what’s missing is maybe the people that don’t understand soccer or football and don’t really search to like go and learn about it or experience it, I think they’ll be able to get what the atmosphere and vibe and everything is.
“Because for me, in America, a lot of sports and sporting events, a lot of the people enjoy those sports, but they go there to have a good time with their friends and everything, but not really like, ‘Okay, we’re focused on the game.’
“But I think whenever you have all the whole world coming into that area and then seeing how they treat it and how they are passionate about it, I think will maybe draw a little bit more attention to other people wanting to watch it and feeling like the energy from everyone.”
Is Weston McKennie Playing At The Club World Cup?
Weston McKennie will be available for Juventus selection at the 2025 Club World Cup. The USMNT international actually dropped out of Mauricio Pochettino’s roster for the upcoming Gold Cup.
Club team-mate and fellow American international Timothy Weah is also expected to feature for the Old Lady. He too was given permission to represent the Bianconeri on home soil.
Elsewhere, Manuel Locatelli will be available for Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup. The Italian international withdrew from international duty owing to injury. However, he is expected to be passed fit to play in two weeks time.
Who Will Juventus Play At The Club World Cup?
Juventus will have at least three opponents at the 2025 Club World Cup. The Bianconeri will compete in Group G of the revamped format.
Igor Tudor’s side take on Al Ain of the UAE in the opener on Wednesday, 18 June at the Audi Field, Washington. Four days later, the Old Lady will play Wydad of Morocco. That game will be contested at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The last Group G match sees Juve face Man City. The English Premier League side are the current champions. Furthermore, they are one of the tournament favorites with the best offshore sportsbooks.
That game will be contested at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, 26 June. The tournament gets underway on June 14 and the final will be determined on July 13. The overall winner will receive $125million in prize money.
