The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is a bigger tournament that will have 32 teams from six different FIFA confederations. It will happen from June 14 to July 13, 2025, in the United States. This is a big event that will show off top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and the host team Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi bringing extra excitement.
Tournament Format
Group Stage
Structure: Eight groups (A to H) with four teams each.
Matches: Each team plays three matches, facing every other team in their group once.
Advancement: The top two teams from each group progress to the Round of 16.
Knockout Stage
Rounds: Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final.
Match Resolution: If a match is tied at the end of regular time, extra time and, if necessary, penalty shootouts will determine the winner.
Third-Place Playoff: No match will be held to determine third place.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Qualified Teams
The tournament has 32 teams coming from six FIFA confederations, and the way slots are given out depends on how well they did in continental championships over the last four years. Here’s how it’s divided:
UEFA (12 teams, reflecting Europe’s dominance in club football):
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Salzburg.
CONMEBOL (6 teams, showcasing South American prowess):
Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, River Plate, Boca Juniors
CONCACAF (4 teams from North and Central America, including the host nation representative):
Monterrey, Seattle Sounders FC, Pachuca, Los Angeles FC
AFC (4 teams from Asia):
Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Ulsan HD
CAF (4 teams from Africa):
Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Espérance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns
OFC (Oceania):
Auckland City
Tournament Format: A New Structure for Global Club Competition
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is changing things up by expanding its format, going from seven teams to 32 teams, which is a big difference from how it used to be. The tournament will be set up like the FIFA World Cup from 1998 to 2022, with teams split into eight groups of four (Groups A to H). Each group will play in a round-robin style, and the top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout stage. This knockout phase will have the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final, but there won’t be a game for third place. If a match ends in a tie, they will play extra time, and if needed, they will have penalty shoot-outs.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Venues
Matches will be held across various cities in the United States, including:
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Miami: Hard Rock Stadium (Hosts Inter Miami CF, opening match on June 14, 2025)
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New York: MetLife Stadium (Hosts the final on July 13, 2025, also set for 2026 World Cup final)
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Los Angeles: Rose Bowl Stadium (Historic venue, previously hosted FIFA World Cup matches)
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Seattle: Lumen Field (Hosts Seattle Sounders FC, noted for six matches including group stages)
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Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Home to Atlanta United FC, known for hosting major events)
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Philadelphia: Lincoln Financial Field (Home to Philadelphia Union, part of the East Coast hosting)
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Orlando: Camping World Stadium (One of two Orlando venues, hosting group stage matches)
- Orlando: Inter&Co Stadium (Second Orlando venue, enhancing match distribution)
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Cincinnati: TQL Stadium (Hosts FC Cincinnati, a newer MLS venue with modern facilities)
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Charlotte: Bank of America Stadium (Home to Charlotte FC, part of the tournament’s MLS representation)
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Nashville: GEODIS Park (Home to Nashville SC, offering a vibrant football atmosphere)
- Washinton, D.C.: Audi Field (Home to D.C. United, adding to the East Coast representation)
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MetLife Stadium, located in New York/New Jersey, is really important because it will host the final match on July 13, 2025, which is also connected to the 2026 World Cup final. The first game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 14, and it will feature Inter Miami CF with Lionel Messi.
Prize Money
FIFA has allocated a substantial prize pool for the tournament, with the winning team set to receive $10 million. Each participating club is guaranteed a minimum of $9.55 million, with additional rewards for each group stage victory.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Match Schedule
Match Schedule
Group Stage Schedule | 2025 Tournament
32 teams. 8 groups. 3 matches each.
Here’s the schedule for June 14 to June 23, 2025 (local times):
Matchday 1
Al Ahly
Inter Miami
Bayern Munich
Auckland City
Paris Saint Germain
Atletico Madrid
Palmeiras
FC Porto
Botafogo
Seattle Sounders
Chelsea
LAFC
Boca Juniors
Benfica
Flamengo
ES Tunis
Fluminense
Borussia Dortmund
River Plate
Urawa
Ulsan
Mamelodi Sundowns
Monterrey
Inter
Manchester City
Wydad AC
Real Madrid
Al-Hilal
Pachuca
Red Bull Salzburg
Al Ain
Juventus
Matchday 2
Palmeiras
Al Ahly
Inter Miami
FC Porto
Seattle Sounders
Atletico Madrid
Paris Saint Germain
Botafogo
Benfica
Auckland City
Flamengo
Chelsea
LAFC
ES Tunis
Bayern Munich
Boca Juniors
Mamelodi Sundowns
Borussia Dortmund
Inter
Urawa
Fluminense
Ulsan
River Plate
Monterrey
Juventus
Wydad AC
Real Madrid
Pachuca
Red Bull Salzburg
Al-Hilal
Manchester City
Al Ain
Matchday 3
Seattle Sounders
Paris Saint Germain
Atletico Madrid
Botafogo
FC Porto
Al Ahly
Inter Miami
Palmeiras
Auckland City
Boca Juniors
Benfica
Bayern Munich
ES Tunis
Chelsea
LAFC
Flamengo
Borussia Dortmund
Ulsan
Mamelodi Sundowns
Fluminense
Urawa
Monterrey
Inter
River Plate
Juventus
Manchester City
Wydad AC
Al Ain
Al-Hilal
Pachuca
Red Bull Salzburg
Real Madrid
Matchday Round of 16
Palmeiras
Botafogo
Benfica
Chelsea
Paris Saint Germain
Inter Miami
Flamengo
Bayern Munich
Inter
Fluminense
Manchester City
Al Hilal
Real Madrid
Juventus
Borussia Dortmund
Monterrey
Matchday Quarter-final
Fluminense
Al Hilal
Palmeiras
Chelsea
PSG
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund
Matchday Semi-final
Fluminense
Chelsea
Paris Saint Germain
Real Madrid
Matchday Final
Chelsea
Paris Saint Germain
Get ready for world-class football!
Note: There will be no third-place playoff match.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup represents a new era in club football, bringing together a diverse array of teams from across the globe in a month-long competition. With its expanded format, increased prize money, and global stage, the tournament promises to be a landmark event in the football calendar.
