Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero reflects on Philadelphia, the U.S., and the FIFA Club World Cup

The world’s best soccer teams and players are coming to Philadelphia this summer, and they don’t get much bigger than Juventus and former captain Alessandro Del Piero. Philadelphia Soccer Now caught up with Del Piero, the Turin club’s all-time leader in appearances with 705 in anticipation for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which takes place throughout the United States beginning June 14.

Del Piero won the tournament’s precursor, the Intercontinental Cup, in 1996, scoring the only goal for Juventus in a 1-0 win over River Plate. Juventus also won the competition in 1985 when Michel Platini scored the decisive penalty in a 4-2 (2-2 AET) shootout victory over Argentinos Juniors. In the revised format that includes 32 teams, Juventus qualified as a top-ranked team in UEFA and will play at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday June 22 against Moroccan club Wydad AC, CAF Champions League holders from the 2021-22 season. Kickoff is scheduled for noon EST.

“It’s great to be in a country that is deep in sports,” Del Piero said when asked about what the tournament means to a player performing in the United States, “where the sports and artists compete at the top level in the world.”

Del Piero recalled his time in the U.S. when he led Juventus to the Supercoppa Italiana title at Met Life Stadium in 2003, defeating AC Milan 5-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regulation.

“When you travel for the first time in the U.S., you don’t know what to expect,” he said. “But now, with the social media, with the technology, the media, everyone around the world can tell you in one second after something happened, on your phone. It’s a new world, so everything is closer. I think it is a great opportunity for everybody to come and watch great teams, great players, all the rivalries.”

Many fans in the Philadelphia area will have the opportunity to watch one of Italy’s biggest clubs in a competitive environment for the first time, but Del Piero understands it will feel extra special for the Italian supporters and the Italian-Americans across the region. “I was in Philadelphia for almost 15 days back in 2011-2012,” he said, “preparing for a league title that we ended up winning, unbeaten, with Conte. So we were in the Eagles training center, and it’s funny because now the Eagles coach is half-Italian.”

That Scudetto title, Del Piero’s sixth and final one with the club, capped a career in Turin that spanned 19 seasons, 16 trophies, and a club-record 290 goals. “It’s a city with a lot of connection,” Del Piero added. “It’s always great to be here as an Italian because you feel the passion of our people, and we are definitely people with passion, not only for football but for everything.”

Philadelphia-area fans will also have the opportunity to see Juventus and U.S. Men’s National Team fixtures Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, who have made major contributions for the club in the 2024-25 season.

“It’s going to be a big moment for them,” Del Piero said. “It’s going to take a little bit more responsibility on their shoulders, for sure, but also it’s more exciting because you feel home, even if it’s not your hometown, you feel home because it’s your country.”

McKennie, the midfielder from Little Elm, Texas, has appeared 34 times this season. He scored 3 goals in the UEFA Champions League, including the second in a 2-0 Group Stage win over Manchester City, and the opener in a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Intermediate Stage First Leg. Weah, son of FIFA Player of the Year George Weah, from Brooklyn, New York, has appeared 32 times, adding 6 goals. He assisted on McKennie’s goal against City, a rare U.S. to U.S. Champions League combination. His lone UCL goal came in the second leg against PSV, putting Juventus up 3-2 on aggregate before the Dutch club found an equalizer and eventual extra-time winner to advance.

Del Piero spoke further about the responsibilities off the field the Americans may face returning home. “Everyone may be reaching out to you,” he said, “talking about the U.S. and what’s going to happen. So all the journey that comes before the game and after the game is entitled to you in order to tell things about that city.”

In many ways, the Club World Cup will be viewed as a test run for Philadelphia’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a competition also familiar to Del Piero. Capped 91 times for his country, scoring 27 goals, he may be most remembered for setting up the winner against Germany in the 2006 World Cup semifinals in Dortmund. Seconds later, he ran down the field on an Italian counter, overlapping Alberto Gilardino’s left before calmly depositing a curler into the far corner to eliminate the hosts. Italy defeated France in the finals to lift their fourth trophy.

Juventus currently sits fourth in the Serie A, nine points from leaders Inter and one point above Lazio for the final 2025-26 UCL spot. With ten games to play in the season, Juventus still has much to play for before they sets their goals on the Club World Cup. Ahead of their match in Philadelphia, Juventus will open in Washington D.C. against Al Ain FC from the United Arab Emirates, winners of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League. The Italian champions will round out the group stage against Manchester City, 2022-23 UEFA Champions League winners, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Philadelphia will host eight matches throughout the competition. Tickets are still available at www.fifa.com/tickets.

For the full match schedule, check below: https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/83583980e0bb1fb/original/FCWC25-Match-Schedule.pdf.