FIFA President Gianni Infantino Praises Los Angeles First Responders Ahead of Club World Cup

Standing outside Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on Tuesday morning, FIFA President Gianni Infantino feted Los Angeles as one of the host cities for the imminent 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. During the host city trophy tour stop, Infantino acknowledged the recent devastating wildfires that engulfed the nearby Altadena and Palos Verdes neighborhoods.

On hand at the media event were first responders, including representatives from Cal Fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department, LAPD, and the County Police Department, among others. The Los Angeles wildfires that burned out of control at the top of the year destroyed over 16,000 structures and burned 40,000 acres. 29 people died due to the fires.

During the wildfires, the Rose Bowl was transformed into a home base for first responders battling the flames. It later acted as a wildfire donation hub and also hosted a benefit concert.

“Knowing that this place gave hope to people, which is what we try with our sport to do. Here the first responders gathered to help the population. On behalf of FIFA and on behalf of the global soccer community, I would like to give sincere thanks,” said Infantino, who added that FIFA would be giving Los Angeles’ first responded 30,000 tickets to the Club World Cup matches.

Los Angeles will also host matches for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, but the city will get a test run with the upcoming Club World Cup. For that tournament, which kicks off June 14 and runs through to July 13, 32 club teams from six continental confederations will compete over 63 matches to crown one global club champion. In addition to Los Angeles, other US cities hosting the Club World Cup will be Seattle, Cincinnati, Nashville, Miami, and New York, among others.

“We are working together with the entertainment industry. Globally, the only ones that can compete with these big Hollywood stars are soccer players. No other sport or social activity in life can compare to Hollywood and soccer,” Infantino told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that FIFA is in conversations with talent to participate in the tournament. “We will get a few of them on the field and see what their soccer skills are.”

Infantino added: “What we do is a show, it’s entertainment, and it’s a sport, of course. When people speak about America and the United States, they know Los Angeles.”

The Club World Cup is the first of many global sporting events that will be held in Los Angeles in the coming years. After the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city will then host the 2028 Summer Olympics.