FIFA's decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia has faced scrutiny over transparency issues in the bidding process, particularly following Australia's withdrawal from the race.

Critics have pointed out that FIFA's dealings with DAZN and Saudi Arabia raise ethical questions about the integrity of the sport, suggesting a link between the financial backing of the Club World Cup and the World Cup hosting decision.

Environmental and player unions are opposing the expanded format of the tournament, which has increased from seven to 63 matches across multiple cities, citing sustainability and player wellbeing issues.

Despite these concerns, FIFA asserts that the Club World Cup is in the best interest of football and that all profits will be redistributed to clubs, addressing worries about calendar congestion and player workload.

Real Madrid will kick off their campaign in the tournament at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, featuring new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined the team after an £8 million early release from Liverpool.

Al-Hilal, a club owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, adds an intriguing element to the tournament as they compete against European teams.

This investment is viewed as a strategic move to enhance Saudi Arabia's football profile and attract talent to its domestic league, especially as the country prepares to host the World Cup in 2034.

Speculation has arisen regarding the connections between Saudi Arabia's financial support for the Club World Cup and its successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup, particularly following the Public Investment Fund's $1 billion minority stake acquisition in DAZN.

DAZN has secured global broadcasting rights for the tournament for $1 billion, promising to stream matches for free, a notable shift given FIFA's previous challenges in securing broadcast partners.

DAZN's executives believe the Club World Cup represents a significant growth opportunity, projecting it to become the most streamed sports event ever.

The tournament boasts a lucrative prize pool of $1 billion, with top teams potentially earning up to £97 million, raising concerns about competitive balance within domestic leagues.

Saudi Arabia is financially backing the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, which has drawn criticism for its potential impact on players, domestic leagues, and the environment.