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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 42941, member: 636"] Soccer fans argued for decades about which teams played the greatest football around the globe. National squads faced each other during World Cup competitions every four years. Club teams from different continents rarely met except during summer friendship matches. The FIFA Club World Cup expanded from its smaller previous version to settle this debate. Thirty-two teams from six continents compete for one billion dollars across America. The tournament claims to offer ultimate bragging rights for club soccer supremacy. FIFA officials market this as the first true global championship for professional teams. Prize money reaches historic levels with $525 million guaranteed just for making the field. European powerhouses like Real Madrid and Manchester City earn between $12.8 million and $38 million each. Winners could collect up to $125 million from the massive financial pool. Ticket sales disappointed organizers as prices fell sharply before games started. Opening match seats cost $379 originally but dropped to $116 near game time. Some matches offer admission for eight dollars to attract spectators. FIFA partnered with local colleges to give away free tickets to students. The Miami opener drew 60,927 fans at a venue holding 65,000 people. Major League Soccer players protested their limited compensation from the windfall. Seattle Sounders wore protest shirts calling the event a cash grab during warmups. MLS teams receive millions but player bonuses remain capped at one million dollars under current contracts. The players union demands a larger share of performance earnings. League officials proposed giving players 20 percent of prize money earned after group stages. [/QUOTE]

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