Howey: FIFA Club World Cup is another chance to global passion for game | OneFootball

Former City defender Steve Howey says the FIFA Club World Cup could bring fans from all over the world together this summer.

City are part of the inaugural edition of the expanded tournament in June and July this year, having qualified through our 2023 Champions League success.

We’ll play Moroccan side Wydad AC, Abu Dhabi-based Al Ain and Italian giants Juventus in Group G, with the top two progressing to the Round of 16.

Everything you need to know about FIFA Club World Cup 2025

The format of the competition is similar to that of recent international World Cups, which often draws supporters from all over the world to enjoy a festival of football together.

Ahead of this summer’s event, regular Matchday Live panellist Howey is looking forward to seeing the passion of fans from all corners of the globe.

“I’ve got such admiration and respect for football fans,” he said.

“Whether it’s travelling from one end of the country to the other to see your team win or lose, it’s a lot of time and money.

“Then when you think of people going overseas or coming to England to see these teams, there’s so much passion for football around the world.

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“We see lots of fans come together in one country for World Cups every four years, so it will be interesting to see if this tournament has that same atmosphere.”

Even after a gruelling season, Howey believes the level of the opposition will bring the best out of the players too.

“As a player, you want to experience different things and be in these big tournaments,” he stated.

“You might also be thinking when your rest is coming and you could be playing 60+ games a year, which is incredible.

“But to play in big stadiums and against the best teams is what every player wants, so I’m sure they will be up for it.

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“With top players, I’m sure there will be a lot of people watching in the stadiums and around the world.”

Howey moved to newly promoted City from Newcastle in 2000 and had a rollercoaster three seasons at Maine Road as we endured a relegation before bouncing straight back up.

No wonder then that Howey says it would have been hard for him to envisage City on this stage when he was part of our playing squad.

However, the 53-year-old says he could see the green shoots of all the success to come in his final days at the Club.

“It’s nice to be at the beginning of something,” he said.

“When I first came in, we got relegated but when Kevin [Keegan] came in he brought in some very good players and that was the start of the club being in Premier League every year.

“Then the Club got new owners and they’ve gone from strength to strength from there.”

How to watch the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

DAZN will broadcast every minute from the event, with all 63 matches, live-streamed, free to view on DAZN globally, and in multiple languages.

If you are already a DAZN subscriber or Freemium member, then the competition is part of your current membership.

To sign up for a free DAZN account now you only need an email address to register, with no hidden costs or fees.

You can then watch all the action on the DAZN App via smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, game consoles and web browsers.

Join now to be ready to watch DAZN’s coverage for free.

Every City match will be covered in full across mancity.com and our official app, with our usual offering of a Matchday Centre and Matchday Live followed by a match report, written and video reaction and highlights from the US.