The FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Everything You Need to Know

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to kick off in the United States on Saturday, welcoming a thrilling new format as 32 teams compete for the prestigious title in an expanded intercontinental tournament. This marks a significant evolution in the tournament’s history, shifting from an annual event featuring a limited number of clubs to a grand quadrennial spectacle. Here’s a comprehensive guide to all you need to know about this exciting event.

What is the FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup has traditionally been held every December, bringing together the champions of the six continental club competitions. Until 2023, the tournament typically featured between six and eight teams. However, starting in 2025, FIFA has expanded the competition to 32 teams, adopting a format similar to that of the FIFA World Cup. The tournament will now occur every four years, adding a greater sense of anticipation and prestige.

In December 2024, the old Club World Cup was replaced by the newly established FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which will be an annual event. Real Madrid claimed the inaugural title in Qatar, paving the way for this expanded version of the competition.

How Does the New Club World Cup Work?

The redesign of the tournament brings a fresh format that significantly differs from previous iterations. The 2025 edition represents a historic first, featuring 32 clubs—equivalent to the number of teams in recent FIFA World Cups. These teams will include champions from the last four continental tournaments and will be organized into eight groups of four.

Each team will engage in a round-robin style group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. This knockout phase will begin with the round of 16, wrapping up with the final match.

When is the FIFA Club World Cup?

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 14 to July 13, 2025, with the following breakdown:

• Group Stage: June 14 to 26
• Round of 16: June 28 to July 1
• Quarterfinals: July 4 and 5
• Semifinals: July 8 and 9
• Final: July 13

This extensive schedule promises a month of nail-biting action as clubs vie for glory.

Which Teams Will Participate in the Club World Cup?

Soccer enthusiasts in the US can look forward to seeing some of the world’s most popular clubs. The tournament will feature last season’s UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid, along with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, iconic English side Manchester City, and Italian heavyweights Inter Milan.

Teams qualified based on their performances in continental competitions and four-year rankings. Unique to this tournament, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, secured a spot as a host nation representative by winning the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record in Major League Soccer.

Of the 32 clubs, Europe boasts the highest representation with 12 teams, followed by South America (six), while Asia, Africa, and North, Central America, and the Caribbean each have four. Oceania has one representative, and Inter Miami completes the lineup.

There was drama surrounding the participation of Mexican club Leon, which was disqualified due to ownership rule violations, leading to a playoff won by LAFC, securing their place in the tournament.

Groupings

The teams have been divided into eight groups, as follows:

• Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
• Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
• Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
• Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, LAFC
• Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
• Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD FC, Mamelodi Sundowns
• Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
• Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, FC Salzburg

Each group features high-stakes matchups, promising exhilarating football action.

Why Are Chelsea, Inter Miami In, and Barcelona, Liverpool Out of the FIFA Club World Cup?

FIFA rules state that each country can only have two representatives in the Club World Cup, and European clubs’ participation is determined by their performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past four years. Manchester City and Chelsea secured their slots by winning the championship titles during that timeframe.

This limited representation led notable clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, and others to miss out, as UEFA’s coefficients and team restrictions came into play.

Where Are the Club World Cup Venues?

The competition will be held across 12 venues in 11 cities. The opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which boasts a capacity of 65,000.

The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey will host both the semifinals and the final, accommodating 82,500 fans and serving as a key venue for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Here’s a complete list of all the venues:

• MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, Florida)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles, California)
• GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
• Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• Audi Field (Washington, DC)

Notable Venues

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, with a capacity of 88,500, is historically significant, having hosted major events, including the men’s World Cup final in 1994.

Will Messi and Ronaldo Play in the FIFA Club World Cup?

Lionel Messi will indeed participate, representing Inter Miami after their unexpected qualification. This marks a notable moment as he showcases his talents in the U.S. since switching from Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, will not be playing, as his club Al Nassr did not qualify. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggesting potential opportunities for Ronaldo to join a participating team, Ronaldo has publicly declined, opting out of the event.

How Much is the Prize Money for the Club World Cup?

The total prize pool for the tournament is a staggering $1 billion, with the champions set to earn a substantial $125 million. The prize money will be allocated among the 32 clubs based on a combination of sporting achievements and commercial criteria, ensuring that elite clubs receive a larger share of the funds.

Performance-Based Earnings

Notably, an additional $475 million will be distributed on a performance basis, rewarding teams based on their match successes, making every game critical for financial benefits.

How to Follow and Stream the Club World Cup Live

Fans can look forward to following the tournament through various channels. Al Jazeera Sport will provide live commentary and coverage of selected matches, enriching the viewing experience.

For global access, streaming will be provided by DAZN, along with potential local broadcasts on free-to-air networks, ensuring that fans everywhere can engage with this exhilarating tournament.

With an exciting and competitive lineup, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to capture the attention of soccer fans around the globe as teams vie for the world’s top club honor.