- The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 introduces a groundbreaking 32-team format, similar to the FIFA World Cup for national teams.
- Set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, it will feature elite clubs from all continents.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 marks a significant evolution in global football, offering a competitive platform for the world’s top clubs in a format never seen before.
This new iteration will feature 32 teams, expanding from the previous seven-team structure, making it a truly global sports event.
Here’s everything you need to know about this milestone tournament:
When and Where
The inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup will be held in the United States, a nation with a rapidly growing passion for football and a proven track record of hosting large-scale international events.
The tournament will run from June 14 to July 13, 2025, utilizing 12 world-class stadiums across various U.S. cities. The grand final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 13, 2025.
Format
The revamped tournament will adopt a structure reminiscent of the FIFA World Cup for national teams:
- 32 Teams divided into 8 groups of 4.
- Each team will play three group-stage matches, facing every other team in their group.
- The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages.
- The knockout rounds will include the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final.
- Matches will feature extra time and penalties to decide winners in case of draws in the knockout rounds.
Participants
The tournament will feature a mix of champions from the world’s most prestigious club competitions and other top-performing clubs. Notable participants include:
European Clubs
- Manchester City (2021, 2022 UEFA Champions League winners)
- Real Madrid (2022 UEFA Champions League winners)
- Chelsea (2021 UEFA Champions League winners)
South American Clubs
- Flamengo (Copa Libertadores 2022 winners)
- River Plate (Copa Libertadores champions)
Other Regions
- Al Ahly (CAF Champions League winners, Africa)
- Al Hilal (AFC Champions League winners, Asia)
- Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions League winners, North America)
Host Nation Representative
- Inter Miami CF (Major League Soccer)
Group Stage Draw
The 32 teams have been divided into eight groups (A to H) as follows:
- Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly FC, Inter Miami CF
- Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders FC
- Group C: FC Bayern München, SL Benfica, CA Boca Juniors, Auckland City FC
- Group D: CR Flamengo, Chelsea FC, Club León, Espérance Sportive de Tunis
- Group E: CA River Plate, FC Internazionale Milano, CF Monterrey, Urawa Red Diamonds
- Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Group G: Manchester City, Juventus, Wydad AC, Al Ain
- Group H: Real Madrid, FC Salzburg, Al Hilal, CF Pachuca
Schedule
FIFA has released a detailed schedule for the tournament, showcasing key match dates. Below is an outline of the competition:
| Stage | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 14 – June 28, 2025 | 8 groups of 4 teams each. Top 2 advance. |
| Round of 16 | June 30 – July 3, 2025 | Single-elimination matches. |
| Quarterfinals | July 5 – July 6, 2025 | 8 teams compete in knockout matches. |
| Semifinals | July 9, 2025 | 4 remaining teams compete for a place in the final. |
| Final | July 13, 2025 | Held at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey. |
Some notable group-stage fixtures:
- June 14, 2025: Inter Miami CF vs. Al Ahly FC at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
- June 15, 2025: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético de Madrid at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles.
- June 18, 2025: Manchester City vs. Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
- June 18, 2025: Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.