Club World Cup 2025 Guide: Teams Qualified, Venues, Format & Favorites to Win

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has arrived with a bang, rewriting the history books and setting a new standard for club competitions worldwide. For the first time, this globally coveted title will be contested by 32 teams, expanding far beyond the previous annual format featuring just six to eight clubs. Hosted by the United States, the tournament spans an entire month from June 14 to July 13, showcasing soccer’s highest drama across 11 cities and 12 extravagant venues, with the grand final held at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This transformation is more than just numbers: it echoes FIFA’s ambition to mirror the glamour and intensity of the senior World Cup but for clubs, injecting fresh passion and fierce rivalry into the summer calendar.

While the globe eagerly watches, historic clubs like Real Madrid with its record five titles, Manchester City as defending champions, and rising stars like Inter Miami ushered by Lionel Messi, bring stories of glory, grace, and grit. Yet, it’s not just the giants. The tournament also shines a spotlight on underdogs from all continents, bridging gaps between continents and enriching football’s vast narrative. Massive prize pools approaching $1 billion and partnerships with giants including Adidas, Nike, Heineken, and Coca-Cola only ramp up the stakes and the spectacle.

From group dynamics and knockout thrills to venues where legends will be made, this comprehensive guide dives into everything a fan needs to know about the Club World Cup 2025. Whether you’re a newcomer trying to grasp the magic or a die-hard collector of football lore, the stage is set. The whistle’s about to blow, and football – in its rawest, most electrifying form – is ready to explode.

Unpacking the Expanded Club World Cup 2025 Format and Schedule

The Club World Cup was once a quick snapshot of global club supremacy, an annual affair rarely seen as the jewel of the calendar due to its limited pool and brief scope. But FIFA’s fresh vision delivered a seismic overhaul in 2025, transforming it into a tournament every four years with an expanded roster of 32 elite clubs from across the planet. This mirrors the senior FIFA World Cup’s prestige, promising a month-long rollercoaster of world-class football, tactical battles, and unexpected heroes.

The tournament swells into an eight-group round-robin stage, each group containing four teams. The double round of matches means plenty of drama and chances to stumble or shine. Only the top two clubs from each group progress to the knockout phase, sparking high stakes in the Round of 16 and intensified clash through to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final. This knockout ladder amplifies tension and strategic wizardry, ensuring every game screams importance.

Scheduling-wise, it’s a packed affair but balanced to give players the rhythm to recover and fans the excitement to savor. Group stages run from June 14 to June 26. Then the Round of 16 kicks off June 28 and runs through July 1, followed swiftly by quarter-finals on July 4-5. The semi-finals get center stage on July 8-9, setting up a titanic final showdown on July 13 at the colossal MetLife Stadium.

Highlighting the adjustments, the former annual Club World Cup spotlights the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup, debuted in December 2024, played in the off-years to keep clubs engaged and fans craving quality global action annually. This reshaping brings not only spectacle but also a rhythm that could ease fixture congestion.

• 32 elite clubs compete, showcasing top talent from six confederations.
• Group stage format with eight groups of four clubs each.
• Top two from each group advance to knockout rounds.
• Tournament duration: June 14 – July 13, 2025.
• Final held at MetLife Stadium, a future 2026 FIFA World Cup showcase.

Stage	Dates	Format
Group Stage	June 14–26	Round-robin, 8 groups x 4 teams
Round of 16	June 28 – July 1	Knockout phase begins
Quarter-finals	July 4–5	Single elimination
Semi-finals	July 8–9	Single elimination
Final	July 13	Single elimination at MetLife Stadium

Host Cities and Stadiums: The American Football Festival Across 11 US Cities

What elevates the 2025 Club World Cup beyond just another tournament is its breathtaking stadium spread and host cities, turning the entire U.S. into a football extravaganza. Unlike any previous edition, the tournament unfolds in 11 cities and 12 venues coast to coast, merging iconic soccer bastions with cities hungry for football glory.

These venues were carefully selected not just for their facilities but for their footballing heritage and ability to handle the fiesta of fans, media, and the global spectacle FIFA envisages.

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) – Known for its electric atmosphere and innovative design.
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte) – A southern gem with passionate local support.
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati) – A newer venue burrowed in soccer enthusiasm.
• Rose Bowl (Pasadena/Los Angeles) – Historic and majestic, a shrine for football fans.
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) – Home of Inter Miami and the stage for Messi’s US club journey.
• GEODIS Park (Nashville) – A soccer-loving city with state-of-the-art facilities.
• MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford) – Premier host of the final match.
• Camping World & Inter Miami Stadiums (Orlando) – Combines two vital soccer sites.
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) – Known for passionate crowds and electric atmospheres.
• Lumen Field (Seattle) – Home to Seattle Sounders and one of the key clubs in Group B.
• Audi Field (Washington, DC) – Where political capital meets football fervor.

Five of these stadiums will also host games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hinting at the US’s unfolding love affair with the game and its readiness for football’s biggest stage. The geographical diversity means fans across the country experience world-class matches close to home, fueling local soccer cultures and expanding football’s footprint in the United States at a crucial time.

City	Stadium	Notable Features
Atlanta	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Capacity 71,000; retractable roof; top tech & fan experience
Miami	Hard Rock Stadium	Capacity 65,000; Inter Miami’s home; vibrant football culture
East Rutherford	MetLife Stadium	Capacity 82,500; tournament final venue; 2026 World Cup host
Pasadena	Rose Bowl	Capacity 92,500; historical legacy; iconic for football events
Seattle	Lumen Field	Capacity 69,000; renowned for close-knit fan atmosphere

Teams Qualified and the Group Stage Breakdown

The 2025 Club World Cup boasts an unprecedented assembly of 32 clubs, each a continental champion or a top-ranked heavyweight from six football confederations, creating breathtaking diversity and elite competition. Unlike the previous smaller format, this expanded roster gives a spotlight not only to footballing giants from UEFA and CONMEBOL but also clubs representing Africa (CAF), Asia (AFC), North and Central America (CONCACAF), and Oceania (OFC).

The qualification system includes UEFA’s 12 slots — featuring the last four Champions League winners plus top-ranked clubs — alongside champions and top teams from other confederations, resulting in a melting pot of styles and strategies. The United States’ MLS contributes as hosts through Inter Miami’s Shield qualification, adding a local hero narrative deeply tied to Lionel Messi’s Mexican-wave-inducing magic on U.S. soil.

Here’s the full group breakdown where drama is destined to unfold:

Group	Teams
Group A	Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami (host via Shield)
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 Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G	Manchester City (defending champs), Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H	Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, FC Salzburg

• Each group has a pulsating mix of footballing powerhouses and surprise contenders.
• Matches promise tactical masterclasses, with styles from European positional play to South American flair.
• The presence of powerhouse stars, including Messi at Inter Miami and Man City’s tactical geniuses, adds massive anticipation.
• Underlining global football impact, the tournament highlights the blend of continents and football cultures in a single format (learn more).

With giants like Real Madrid hunting a sixth title and Manchester City defending their crown, the qualitative clash is on. Smaller cities hosting games allow for intimate, electric atmospheres where fans experience world football up close — an important step for growing the sport’s footprint in the US and worldwide.

Contenders and Dark Horses: Favorites and Underdogs in the 2025 Club World Cup

When it comes to naming favorites, the usual suspects from Europe loom large, but the new format opens fresh opportunities for underdog stories to take center stage. Clubs like Real Madrid, boasting a record five titles, come armed with history, silverware, and squad depth worthy of a prime blockbuster. Manchester City, the reigning champions, blend tactical brilliance under Pep Guardiola with an in-form squad hungry for back-to-back triumphs.

Other European giants, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and PSG, bring star power and experience, each with their own narratives flying high. Across the Atlantic, South American titans such as Palmeiras, River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Flamengo possess that fiery passion and flair that can turn the competition on its head. The presence of rising African, Asian, and North American clubs highlights the global shift in football power — a phenomenon worth closer inspection.

Meanwhile, the MLS clubs Inter Miami, LAFC, and Seattle Sounders carry local hopes, boosted by the injection of global superstars like Messi and sensational tactical minds. Their performances have sparked lively discussions about MLS’s global stature and the sport’s growth in North America, coinciding with the expanding mega-competitions described in-depth at the future of club tournaments.

• Real Madrid: Five-time champions, led by a blend of youth and seasoned elites.
• Manchester City: Defending champs, tactical prowess under Guardiola.
• Bayern Munich and PSG: Experienced teams with deep squads and star talents.
• South American clubs: Palmeiras, River Plate, and Boca Juniors promise intensity and flair.
• MLS teams: Inter Miami’s Messi effect reshaping perceptions, with LAFC and Seattle adding passion and flair.
• Dark horses: African and Asian clubs like Al Ahly, ES Tunis, and Ulsan Hyundai add unpredictable spice.

The prize money intensifies the stakes, with the winning club potentially pocketing up to $125 million from a staggering $1 billion purse. Giants such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, Coca-Cola, Heineken, Mastercard, Visa, EA Sports, and Qatar Airways sponsor the spectacle, intertwining global brands with the sport’s highest club stage. However, not all is smooth off the pitch: MLS players’ union has openly challenged their share of performance incentives, underlining the tension between elite rewards and player welfare.

Prize Money, Sponsorship, and Off-Pitch Narratives Shaping the 2025 Edition

The financial landscape of the expanded Club World Cup is as revolutionary as the sporting format. FIFA has unveiled a jaw-dropping total prize pot estimated at about $1 billion, dwarfing every previous club tournament payout. The champions stand to earn an eye-watering $125 million, clouding the event with massive incentives but also sparking spirited debates on the sport’s direction.

This influx of cash and prestige attracts multinational sponsors, turning brands into co-architects of football’s grand spectacle. Adidas and Nike outfit the players and teams, while Puma also holds key partnerships giving fresh competition among sporting giants. Off the pitch, brands like Coca-Cola, Heineken, Qatar Airways, Visa, Mastercard, and EA Sports create a global festival atmosphere, engaging fans beyond the game with music, culture, and digital experiences.

• Adidas and Nike: Supplying kits and technology to elevate player performance and fan engagement.
• Coca-Cola and Heineken: Pioneering fan celebrations and stadium activations.
• Qatar Airways and Visa: Facilitating travel and seamless international fan experiences.
• EA Sports: Integrating football simulations and gaming culture into the tournament.
• Mastercard: Enhancing payment ease and exclusive fan offers during the Cup.

Yet, these windfalls cast shadows with emerging issues about fairness and athlete welfare. The MLS Players Association has publicly voiced dissatisfaction with their relatively small share (20%) of performance bonus money, citing international standards and the physical toll of a packed calendar. This controversy underscores long-standing tensions around player rights, especially as more competitions pile up, a narrative examined thoughtfully in fixture congestion debates.

Meanwhile, entertainment around the final at MetLife Stadium presents a cultural highlight, with headliners J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems promising halftime shows that storm beyond sport, linking football with music and global cultural currents. This integration reflects how contemporary football events serve as broader pop culture festivals, engaging a swelling fan base worldwide.