Although it is the last event of the season, for many it is marked in red on Atlético de Madrid's calendar. The red-and-whites will compete in June in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States and they already know their rivals in the international event. They are PSG, Seattle Sounders, and Botafogo from Brazil, and the intrigue lies in the possibility of facing Real Madrid again in a very important event.
Especially in the economic sphere, where the clubs will receive a very substantial amount for participating and advancing in the competition. FIFA is prepared to make the official announcement, and according to SKY SPORTS, it could reach $1 billion to be distributed among all the participating clubs. Atlético de Madrid estimates that it will receive no less than €20 million for participation, but if they keep winning matches and advancing rounds, the prize increases.
Winning the tournament would mean earnings close to €130 million, according to the newspaper MARCA. The colchoneros, unless they win this edition's Champions League, will arrive in the United States as the only World Champion club without winning their continent's top competition. For the red-and-whites, the summer event is very important, and they plan to make the greatest effort possible to arrive with options.
The debut will be against PSG, at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, on June 15 in the Californian capital. On June 20, they visit Seattle to face the hosts, the Seattle Sounders, and they close on June 23 again in Los Angeles against the Brazilian Botafogo. If the red-and-whites advance, in the round of 16 they will face Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, or Inter Miami, undoubtedly complex rivals.
If they reach the quarterfinals, they could face the winners of the group of Bayern, Benfica, Boca, or Auckland or Flamengo, Chelsea, León, and Esperance. On the other side of the bracket is Real Madrid, so the chances of a final between the Spaniards exist. There is no doubt it will be an exciting tournament and for Atlético de Madrid, it is very important both sportingly and institutionally.
FIFA, as a very exceptional measure, allows a transfer window between June 1 and 10, seeking for clubs to strengthen ahead of the event. Atlético knows this and is aware that they will have to sign players before traveling to the United States. The opportunity is historic and they do not want to miss it, with Julián Alvarez as the leader, Atlético will seek their second intercontinental title.