The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 marks a transformative moment in global club football, as the tournament evolves from its traditional seven-team format to an expansive 32-team spectacle. Scheduled to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, this quadrennial event will bring together the finest clubs from every corner of the globe, competing for a prestigious title and a share of a $1 billion prize pool.
Hosted across 12 stadiums in 11 American cities, the tournament serves as a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, promising a month-long celebration of football excellence.
A new era for the Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup, first contested in 2000, has historically been an annual event featuring the champions of each continental confederation. However, the 2025 edition introduces a revamped format, expanding to 32 teams and shifting to a four-year cycle. This change, proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in 2016, aims to elevate the tournament’s global appeal, making it more competitive and attractive to broadcasters and sponsors. The new structure mirrors the FIFA World Cup format used between 1998 and 2022, with eight groups of four teams, followed by a knockout stage from the round of 16 to the final, without a third-place play-off. The tournament’s prize structure is equally ambitious, with the winner potentially earning up to $125 million and additional solidarity payments of $250 million distributed to support global club football development.
The qualification process for the 2025 Club World Cup is based on performances in continental championships over the four seasons from 2021 to 2024, supplemented by a ranking system for additional slots. Each confederation received a specific allocation: UEFA (Europe) with 12 slots, CONMEBOL (South America) with six, AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), and CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean) with four each, OFC (Oceania) with one, and an additional slot for the host nation’s representative. The process, approved by the FIFA Council in February 2023, emphasizes sporting merit, though controversies, such as multi-club ownership disputes and the host nation slot, have sparked debate.
UEFA: Europe’s powerhouses (12 teams)
Europe, represented by UEFA, dominates the tournament with 12 slots, reflecting the continent’s footballing depth. Qualification was secured through victories in the UEFA Champions League from 2021 to 2024 or via UEFA’s coefficient ranking system, which evaluates club performances over the same period. The European contingent includes some of the world’s most storied clubs.
Real Madrid, the record holders with five Club World Cup titles, qualified as the 2022 and 2024 Champions League winners. Manchester City, the defending champions after their 2023 triumph, earned their spot through that victory. Chelsea secured qualification with their 2021 Champions League title, while Bayern Munich qualified via their 2020 Champions League win (included in the extended qualification period due to the pandemic). Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan, finalists in recent Champions League campaigns, secured spots through rankings, as did Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, both consistent performers in European competitions.
Atlético Madrid, Porto, and Benfica earned their places through strong performances in the Champions League, with Porto and Benfica leveraging their success in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and continental runs. RB Salzburg, a surprise inclusion, qualified via rankings, showcasing Austria’s growing influence. The final European slot went to Arsenal, edging out Salzburg for the last spot based on their improved performances in recent seasons. Notably, the two-per-country limit excluded high-ranking clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona, as England and Spain already had two representatives each in Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid.
CONMEBOL: South American giants (6 teams)
South America’s CONMEBOL confederation secured six slots, with Brazil’s dominance evident as four clubs qualified due to their Copa Libertadores victories from 2021 to 2024. Palmeiras, winners in 2021 after defeating Flamengo, bring their passionate fanbase and tactical discipline. Flamengo, who claimed the 2022 title with a 1-0 win over Athletico Paranaense, return as a powerhouse. Fluminense, the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions after a dramatic extra-time victory over Boca Juniors, add flair to the tournament. River Plate, Argentina’s giants, qualified as the 2024 Copa Libertadores winners, while Boca Juniors earned their spot through CONMEBOL’s ranking system, reflecting their consistent continental performances.
The sixth CONMEBOL slot went to Botafogo, another Brazilian club, which qualified via rankings due to their strong domestic and continental showings. Brazil’s quartet highlights the nation’s supremacy in South American football, with each club bringing a distinct style, from Flamengo’s attacking verve to River Plate’s storied resilience.
AFC: Asia’s rising stars (4 teams)
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) contributes four teams, qualified through the AFC Champions League and rankings. Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia, winners in 2021, are a formidable force, having reached multiple finals in recent years. Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, champions in 2022, bring their experience from three AFC Champions League titles. Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates, the 2024 AFC Champions League Elite winners, add regional diversity. Ulsan HD FC from South Korea secured the final slot through rankings, reflecting their consistent performances despite not winning the continental title during the qualification period. Asia’s representatives showcase the region’s growing competitiveness, with Al Hilal and Urawa boasting passionate fanbases and tactical sophistication.
CAF: Africa’s continental kings (4 teams)
Africa’s CAF confederation also provides four teams, with Egypt’s Al Ahly leading the pack. Winners of three of the last four CAF Champions League titles (2021, 2023, and 2024), Al Ahly are a juggernaut, appearing in their fifth Club World Cup. Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, the 2022 champions, bring their North African flair and defensive solidity. Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa and Espérance de Tunis from Tunisia qualified via rankings, with Sundowns’ possession-based style and Espérance’s attacking dynamism adding variety to the African contingent. These clubs represent Africa’s footballing growth, with Al Ahly’s dominance setting a high bar.
CONCACAF: North America’s representatives (5 Teams)
CONCACAF secured four slots, plus an additional one for the host nation. Mexico’s Monterrey and Pachuca qualified as the 2021 and 2024 CONCACAF Champions League winners, respectively, bringing Liga MX’s physicality and tactical nous. Seattle Sounders, the first Major League Soccer (MLS) team to win the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022, represent the United States’ growing football stature. The fourth slot was initially awarded to Club León, the 2023 champions, but they were disqualified due to multi-club ownership rules, as they share ownership with Pachuca. After an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was rejected, a playoff match between Los Angeles FC (LAFC), the 2023 runners-up, and Club América, the top-ranked CONCACAF team, determined the replacement. LAFC won 2-1 on May 31, 2025, at BMO Stadium, securing their spot.
The host nation’s slot went to Inter Miami, the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners, sparking controversy due to their early playoff exit and the perception that FIFA prioritized Lionel Messi’s marketability. Despite criticism, Inter Miami’s inclusion ensures a star-studded opening match against Al Ahly on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
OFC: Oceania’s lone representative (1 Team)
Oceania’s OFC confederation is represented by Auckland City from New Zealand, who qualified as the highest-ranked team among recent OFC Champions League winners. Making their 12th Club World Cup appearance, a tournament record, Auckland City’s disciplined approach and underdog spirit make them a fan favorite, though they face a steep challenge against Europe’s elite.
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The road ahead
The 32 teams are drawn into eight groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the knockout stage. The tournament kicks off on June 14, 2025, with Inter Miami facing Al Ahly, and concludes with the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Matches will be hosted in iconic venues like the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and Lumen Field in Seattle.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises intense competition, with European giants like Real Madrid and Manchester City favored, but South American, African, Asian, and North American clubs ready to challenge. The expanded format, while controversial due to scheduling concerns and player welfare debates, aims to crown a true global champion. With a new trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. and a massive prize pool, the stakes are higher than ever.