The 2025 Club World Cup kicks off on June 14, 2025, in the United States, and it’s shaping up to be a massive moment for football fans. This isn’t just another tournament, it’s the first time FIFA is rolling out a brand-new format, featuring 32 teams from across the globe. Hosted in the USA, it’s a perfect warm-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the 2025 Club World Cup format might seem confusing to some, it is actually pretty much straightforward as it copies the old traditional World Cup style, with the main difference being clubs instead of nations.
Whether you’re planning watch parties or just curious about the changes, here’s everything you need to know.
The 2025 Club World Cup Format and How it Works
The 2025 Club World Cup adopts a format similar to the FIFA World Cup used between 1998 and 2022. The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four. Every team plays the other three teams in their group once, earning three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The top two teams from each group progress to the knockout stage, which includes the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.
This structure means there will be a total of 63 matches, with 96 group-stage matches alone, spread across multiple venues in the USA. The knockout rounds will be single elimination, with extra time and penalties used if matches are tied after 90 minutes.
This is a big shift from the old Club World Cup, which ran yearly with just seven teams in December. Now, it’s a quadrennial event, designed to bring more clubs into the mix and ramp up the competition. Think of it as a global stage where every continent gets a proper shot at glory.
Qualification Process
So, how did these 32 teams earn their spots? It’s all about their performances in continental competitions, with each of FIFA’s six confederations getting a slice of the pie.
Qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup is based on club performances in their respective continental competitions from 2021 to 2024. Each of FIFA’s six confederations—UEFA (Europe), CAF (Africa), CONMEBOL (South America), AFC (Asia), CONCACAF (North and Central America), and OFC (Oceania)—has allocated slots. Europe has the most with 12 clubs, selected based on UEFA Champions League results and UEFA rankings over the four-year period, but with a maximum of two teams per country. For example, Chelsea and Manchester City represent England.
South America has six teams, Africa, Asia, and CONCACAF each have four, Oceania has one, and there is one place reserved for the host nation, which is Inter Miami in 2025 due to them winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. The final two places will be filled by the 2024 Copa Libertadores winner and the host country’s representative if not already qualified.
Initially set to compete, Club León will not play in the 2025 Club World Cup due to FIFA’s regulations on multi-club ownership, as they share ownership with Pachuca through Grupo Pachuca. Despite appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, León’s bid to participate was denied. Consequently, a high-stakes, winner-takes-all playoff between Los Angeles FC and Club America will determine the final team to join the tournament, per FIFA’s announcement.
Club World Club Groups
The draw happened on December 5, 2024, in Miami, and the groups are set. The eight groups for the 2025 Club World Cup, with their confirmed teams, are:
- Group A
- Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Al Ahly (Egypt)
- Porto (Portugal)
- Inter Miami (USA)
- Group B
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Seattle Sounders (USA)
- Atletico Madrid (Spain)
- Group C
- Auckland City (New Zealand)
- Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- Benfica (Portugal)
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Group D
- Chelsea (England)
- Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
- Los Angeles FC (USA) or Club América (Mexico)
- Flamengo (Brazil)
- Group E
- River Plate (Argentina)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
- Monterrey (Mexico)
- Group F
- Ulsan HD (South Korea)
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Fluminense (Brazil)
- Group G
- Manchester City (England)
- Wydad AC (Morocco)
- Juventus (Italy)
- Al Ain FC (UAE)
- Group H
- Salzburg (Austria)
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Pachuca (Mexico)
Club World Cup Schedule
The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 13, 2025, across 12 cities in the United States. The group stage will run from June 14 to June 26, followed by the Round of 16 from June 28 to July 1. The quarter-finals are set for July 4 and 5, with the semi-finals on July 8 and 9. The final will be held on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Host Cities
The 2025 Club World Cup will be hosted across 12 cities in the United States, with a strong focus on the East Coast to accommodate European TV audiences. The venues include a mix of NFL and MLS stadiums, reflecting the scale and diversity of the tournament. The final is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final. Based on this format, you will get a sense of how the upcoming World Cup will look like as this tournament will mainly act like as the main rehearsal for the biggest football competition in the world.
The stadiums hosting matches are:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
- Inter & Co. Stadium – Orlando, Florida
- Hard Rock Stadium – Miami, Florida
- Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington
- Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, North Carolina
- TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, Ohio
- Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Florida
- Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
- Rose Bowl Stadium – Los Angeles, California
- Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Geodis Park – Nashville, Tennessee
- MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (Final venue)
History of the Competition
The Club World Cup has been around since 2000, but its story goes deeper. It evolved from the Intercontinental Cup, a one-off match between Europe and South America’s club champions. In 2005, that merged with FIFA’s Club World Championship, and the modern version was born.
The first event in 2000 saw Corinthians lift the trophy in Brazil, beating Vasco da Gama. Then, it hit a rough patch. Cancellations from 2001 to 2004 due to financial hiccups. It bounced back in 2005 as an annual affair, starting with six teams, later seven, showcasing confederation champs. By 2006, it was officially the FIFA Club World Cup, a December tradition.
Fast forward to 2019, FIFA planned a 24-team expansion, but that grew to 32 for 2025. A 2021 attempt got delayed by the pandemic, leading us to this year’s big debut in the USA. It’s come a long way, and this new format aims to open it up to more clubs worldwide.
Most Successful Clubs and Countries
European clubs have dominated the Club World Cup since its inception. Real Madrid tops the list with five wins (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022) as the most successful Club World Cup club. They’ve been a force. Barcelona follows with three titles (2009, 2011, 2015), while Corinthians and Bayern Munich each have two (2000, 2012 and 2013, 2020, respectively).
Country-wise, Spain leads with seven titles, thanks to Real and Barça. Brazil’s got four—Corinthians, São Paulo, and Internacional pitching in. England’s tally sits at three, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea all claiming victories.
Europe’s had the edge lately, but South American sides shone early on. It’s a tug-of-war between two continents, mostly.
Past Winners
Here is how the situation looked as far as the winners go during the competition.
- 2000: Corinthians (South America)
- 2006: Sao Paulo (South America)
- 2007: Internacional (South America)
- 2008: AC Milan (Europe)
- 2009: Manchester United
- 2010: Barcelona (Europe)
- 2011: Inter Milan (Europe)
- 2012: Corinthians (South America)
- 2014: Bayern Munich (Europe)
- 2015: Real Madrid (Europe)
- 2016: Barcelona (Europe)
- 2017: Real Madrid (Europe)
- 2018: Real Madrid (Europe)
- 2019: Real Madrid (Europe)
- 2020: Liverpool (Europe)
- 2021: Bayern Munich (Europe)
- 2022: Chelsea (Europe)
- 2023: Real Madrid (Europe)
- 2024: Manchester City (Europe)
Biggest Favourites to Win the 2025 Club World Cup
The favourites for the 2025 tournament are predominantly European clubs, given their historical success and strong squads. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid are among the top contenders. Chelsea also represents England but may be considered less favoured compared to those clubs.
South American teams like Palmeiras, Flamengo, and River Plate could challenge strongly, given their continental pedigree. However, the depth and quality of European teams make them the likely frontrunners.
