What is the FIFA Club World Cup?
Previously an annual tournament for continental champions, the FIFA Club World Cup has evolved into a 32-team quadrennial competition, starting in 2025. This expanded format mirrors the FIFA World Cup and brings top clubs from every continent to a month-long football spectacle in the United States.
New Format Explained
- Teams: 32 clubs
- Group Stage: 8 groups of 4 teams each (round-robin)
- Advancement: Top 2 teams per group move to the knockout rounds
- Knockouts: Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Schedule
- Group Stage: June 14 – 26
- Round of 16: June 28 – July 1
- Quarterfinals: July 4 – 5
- Semifinals: July 8 – 9
- Final: July 13
All Qualified Teams by Group
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: PSG, 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, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, FC Salzburg
Why Are Some Big Clubs Missing?
Clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool missed out due to:
- UEFA’s 4-year coefficient rankings
- FIFA’s rule limiting 2 clubs per country
Chelsea and Manchester City qualified as UEFA Champions League winners in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
Host Cities and Stadiums (12 Venues)
- Final & Semis: MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
- Opening Match: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
- Other venues include:
- Rose Bowl (Los Angeles)
- Lumen Field (Seattle)
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
- Camping World & Inter&Co Stadiums (Orlando)
- GEODIS Park (Nashville)
- TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
- Audi Field (Washington, DC)
Star Watch: Will Messi and Ronaldo Play?
- Lionel Messi: YES – Competing with Inter Miami
- Cristiano Ronaldo: NO – Al Nassr didn’t qualify
Ronaldo declined offers to join participating clubs, citing long-term career planning.
Prize Money Breakdown
- Total Prize Pool: $1 billion
- Champions’ Prize: Up to $125 million
- Distribution is based on sporting merit and commercial value, with elite clubs like Real Madrid and Man City expected to earn more.
Where to Watch the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
- Global Streaming: DAZN
- Local TV: Free-to-air broadcasts depending on regional sublicensing
- Live Updates: Al Jazeera Sport (live commentary and photo coverage)
