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The expanded tournament will see 32 teams from across the globe battle it out in the United States, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami set to host and take center stage.
Following the collapse of the previous FIFA Club World Cup format, the 2025 edition will feature 32 teams from around the world, competing in a month-long tournament in the United States.
With a total of 63 matches spread over 28 days, this new version of the competition promises to be one of the biggest football events of the decade.
And at the heart of it all will be none other than Lionel Messi, who will play with Inter Miami, marking his first appearance in the competition.
A Bold New Format
The revamped competition will take on a structure resembling the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Teams will be divided into eight groups of four, where they will face off in a round-robin format.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which includes the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.
In case of a draw in knockout matches, extra time and penalties will determine the winner.
The tournament is set to kick off with the opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami on June 15 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The final will take place on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Qualification and Teams
The 32 teams in this year’s tournament earned their spots through one of two methods:
-by winning a continental title (such as the UEFA Champions League or CONMEBOL Libertadores) over the past four seasons,; or
-by ranking highly in their respective continental tournaments.
For the first time, teams from around the globe will compete in the expanded event, with special inclusion for Brazil, which gets four spots due to its dominance in South American football.
The other countries and confederations represented are Europe (12 teams), South America (6 teams), North America (4 teams), Asia (4 teams), Africa (4 teams), and Oceania (1 team).
Inter Miami, as the host nation representative, also secured its place despite not being MLS Cup champions, a move that has sparked some debate within the football community.
Here’s the full list of teams:
Europe (12 teams): Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, RB Salzburg.
South America (6 teams): Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, River Plate, Boca Juniors.
North America (4 teams): Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, León, Pachuca.
Asia (4 teams): Al Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Ulsan Hyundai.
Africa (4 teams): Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Espérance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Oceania (1 team): Auckland City.
Host Nation (1 team): Inter Miami CF (USA).
Group Stage Draw
The groups for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup were drawn recently, and they include a tantalizing mix of European giants, South American powerhouses, and rising teams from other continents.
Here’s a look at the draw:
Group A: Palmeiras (Brazil), FC Porto (Portugal), Al Ahly (Egypt), Inter Miami CF (USA)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (France), Atlético Madrid (Spain), Botafogo (Brazil), Seattle Sounders (USA)
Group C: Bayern Munich (Germany), Auckland City (New Zealand), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Benfica (Portugal)
Group D: Flamengo (Brazil), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Chelsea (England), León (Mexico)
Group E: River Plate (Argentina), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Monterrey (Mexico), Internazionale (Italy)
Group F: Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Group G: Manchester City (England), Wydad AC (Morocco), Al Ain (UAE), Juventus (Italy)
Group H: Real Madrid (Spain), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Pachuca (Mexico), RB Salzburg (Austria)
Messi’s Impact
With Messi’s Inter Miami securing its place, fans are eagerly anticipating the Argentine legend’s participation in the tournament.
Though Inter Miami did not win the MLS Cup, their exceptional performance in the regular season earned them an invitation.
Messi’s presence guarantees a global spotlight on the tournament, and his debut in the Club World Cup promises to be a key moment in the competition’s history.
The opening match on June 15 against Al Ahly is expected to be a spectacle, with fans eager to see Messi in action on the world stage.
The Future of the Club World Cup
This revamped FIFA Club World Cup is intended to be held every four years, serving as a test event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The format change, with a longer duration and more teams, is designed to offer a broader representation of global football, increasing the tournament’s appeal and competitiveness.
A Glimpse of the New Trophy
The new FIFA Club World Cup trophy is a work of art, featuring intricate designs that highlight football’s global nature.
The 24-carat gold-plated finish and laser-engraved symbols represent the diversity of the beautiful game, and space on the trophy will allow engravings of the names of the winning clubs for up to 24 editions of the tournament.
What’s Next?
While the group stage draw has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling competition, details of the full fixture schedule, including match times and venues, are yet to be confirmed.
The United States will host the competition in various cities across the country, including Miami, New Jersey, and Seattle, with matches taking place at iconic stadiums such as Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
As fans prepare for a month of intense football action, the question remains: Can Messi lead Inter Miami to glory, or will a European or South American powerhouse claim the title of the world’s best club?
