The United States will host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup from Jun 15 to Jul 13. From a seven-team competition held annually, this tournament has grown to a 32-team competition held every four years. The 12 European clubs taking part include notable teams like Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup is scheduled for 2025, featuring two teams from the Premier League alongside Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
The revamped Club World Cup will include 32 teams and is set to occur every four years starting in the summer of 2025. This is an expanded version of the former tournament, which was held annually and featured only seven teams from different parts of the world.
Curious about how the tournament operates, which teams are participating, and what matchups are on the horizon? HOLABET is here to clarify all your questions below…
What is the Club World Cup?
Prior to its redesign for the 2025 tournament, the Club World Cup was held annually in December, featuring the champions of club competitions from various continents around the globe.
Winners of the Champions League would participate in the tournament each year, competing against clubs from other continents, including South America (CONMEBOL), Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North America (CONCACAF), and Oceania (OFC).
In December, FIFA revealed that the competition would be broadened to include 32 club teams and would be held every four years.
Instead of the yearly competition, there will be an Intercontinental Cup held each year, featuring the Champions League champion in the final against a team that qualifies through intercontinental playoffs.
When is the 2025 Club World Cup?
The upcoming Club World Cup is scheduled to occur over a span of 29 days during the summer of 2025.
The competition begins on June 15 and ends on July 13 with the grand final.
Where is the 2025 Club World Cup?
The 2025 Club World Cup will take place in the United States, with 12 different stadiums across the country.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
- GEODIS Park (Nashville)
- Camping World Stadium (Orlando)
- Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando)
- Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- Lumen Field (Seattle)
- Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
- TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
- Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
Who qualifies for the Club World Cup?
Europe has secured 12 spots in the 32-team tournament, with allocations determined by performances in the Champions League over the last four seasons, starting from 2020/21 and continuing through this season.
For the 2025 competition, the winners of the Champions League from the past three seasons—Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City—will be joined by the top-performing teams from the same timeframe. Additionally, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Milan will secure their spots through the rankings.
The Asian Football Confederation, the African Federation, and the North American Federation each receive four spots based on the winners and top-performing teams from their respective Champions League tournaments. For the teams that perform well in the Copa Libertadores, the South American Federation is given six spots.
One slot is allocated to a team from the Oceania Football Confederation, specifically the top-performing team in the OFC Champions League over the past four years. Another team from the host nation will take the final spot. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi is securing that coveted spot by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Lionel Messi has won the Club World Cup 3times, in 2009, 2011, and 2015. As he prepares to join stars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in the United States, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be participating, Al Hilal is the only Saudi Arabian team to qualify for the tournament.
The following teams qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup:
Europe
- Inter Milan
- Porto
- Benfica
- Borussia Dortmund
- Juventus
- Red Ball Salzburg
- Atletico Madrid
- Manchester City
- Real Madrid
- Chelsea
- Bayern Munich
- Paris Saint-Germain
Oceania
- Auckland City
South America
- Palmeiras
- Flamengo
- Fluminense
- River Plate
- Boca Juniors
- Botafogo (Copa Libertadores winner)
North America
- Monterrey
- Seattle Sounders
- Pachuca
- Inter Miami (host nation slot)
Club Leon was removed from the competition for failing to meet multi-club ownership criteria, and a replacement will be announced soon.
Africa
- Al Ahly
- Wydad
- Esperance de Tunis
- Mamelodi Sundowns
Asia
- Al Hilal
- Urawa Red Diamonds
- Al Ain
- Ulsan HD
When is the Club World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2025 Club World Cup took place on Dec 5, 2024.
Defending champions Manchester City and Juventus have been put in the same group, while Chelsea will meet Flamengo.
Club World Cup draw in full
Group A: Al Ahly(Egy), Palmeiras(Brz), Porto(Por), Inter Miami(USA)
Group B: Atlético Madrid(Esp), Paris Saint-Germain(Fra), Botafogo(Brz), Seattle Sounders(USA)
Group C: Bayern Munich(Ger), Boca Juniors(Arg), Benfica(Por), Auckland City(Nzl)
Group D: Esperance Sportive de Tunis(Tun), Flamengo(Brz), Chelsea(Eng), Club Leon removed from competition, replacement TBC
Group E: CF Monterrey(Mex), River Plate(Arg), Inter Milan(Ita), Urawa Red Diamonds(Jpn)
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns(Rsa), Borussia Dortmund(Ger), Ulsan HD(Kor), Fluminense(Brz)
Group G: Juventus(Ita), Man City(Eng), Wydad AC(Mor), Al Ain(UAE)
Group H: Real Madrid(Esp), Al Hilal(Rsa), CF Pachuca(Mex), FC Salzburg(Aut)
Is the transfer window being moved forward?
Yes, Premier League clubs have agreed to begin the transfer market early due to a special registration time for the expanded Club World Cup.
The window will open from June 1 to June 10, then it will close briefly before re-opening again on June 16.
The deadline for entries will be Monday, September 1.
What is the 2025 Club World Cup prize money?
The champions of the Club World Cup are set to be awarded up to £97 million (equivalent to $125 million) from FIFA.
A total prize fund of £774 million (approximately $1 billion) will be distributed among the 32 participating clubs. This amount includes a participation fee of £406 million (about $525 million), which will be allocated according to both sporting and commercial criteria, alongside £368 million (approximately $475 million) that will be distributed based on the clubs’ sporting performance.
FIFA does not retain any revenue and plans to distribute an additional £200 million ($250 million) in solidarity payments to clubs around the world.
Club World Cup fixtures – full schedule
Group stage
Saturday June 14
Group A: Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 1 am
Sunday June 15
Group C: Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City: TQL Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Group B: PSG vs. Atletico Madrid: Rose Bowl Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group A: Palmeiras vs. Porto: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Group B: Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders: Lumen Field; kick-off 3 am
Monday June 16
Group D: Chelsea vs. TBC: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group C: Boca Juniors vs. Benfica: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Group D: Flamengo vs. Esperance de Tunis: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 2 am
Tuesday June 17
Group F: Fluminense vs. Borussia Dortmund: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Group E: River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds: Lumen Field; kick-off 8 pm
Group F: Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns: Inter&Co Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Group E: Monterrey vs. Inter Milan: Rose Bowl Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Wednesday June 18
Group G: Man City vs. Wydad AC: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 5 pm
Group H: Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group H: CF Pachuca vs. FC Salzburg: TQL Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Group G: Al Ain vs. Juventus: Audi Field; kick-off 2 am
Thursday June 19
Group A: Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly FC: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Group A: Inter Miami vs. Porto: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group B: Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid: Lumen Field; kick-off 8 pm
Group B: PSG vs. Botafogo: Rose Bowl Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Friday June 20
Group C: Benfica vs. Auckland City: Inter&Co Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Group D: Flamengo vs. Chelsea: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 7 pm
Group D: TBC vs. Esperance de Tunis: GEODIS Park; kick-off 10 pm
Group C: Bayern Munich vs. Club Atletico Boca Juniors: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Saturday June 21
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund: TQL Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Group E: Inter Milan vs. Urawa Red Diamonds: Lumen Field; kick-off 5 pm
Group F: Fluminense vs. Ulsan HD: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Group E: River Plate vs. Monterrey: Rose Bowl Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Sunday, 22 June
Group G: Juventus vs. Wydad AC: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 5 pm
Group H: Real Madrid vs. CF Pachuca: Bank of America Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group H: FC Salzburg vs. Al Hilal: Audi Field; kick-off 11 pm
Group G: Man City vs. Al Ain: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Monday, 23 June
Group B: Seattle Sounders vs. PSG: Lumen Field; kick-off 5 pm
Group B: Atletico Madrid vs. Botafogo: Rose Bowl Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Group A: Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Group A: Porto vs. Al Ahly: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Tuesday, 24 June
Group C: Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors: GEODIS Park; kick-off 7 pm
Group C: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich: Bank of America Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group D: TBC vs. Flamengo: Camping World Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Group D: Esperance de Tunis vs. Chelsea: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 2 am
Wednesday, 25 June
Group F: Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD: TQL Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group E: Inter Milan vs. River Plate: Lumen Field; kick-off 11 pm
Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey: Rose Bowl Stadium; kick-off 11 pm
Thursday, 26 June
Group G: Juventus vs. Man City: Camping World Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Group G: Wydad AC vs. Al Ain: Audi Field; kick-off 8 pm
Group H: Al Hilal vs. CF Pachuca: GEODIS Park; kick-off 1 am
Group H: FC Salzberg vs. Real Madrid CF: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 2 am
Knockout stage: round of 16
Saturday, 28 June
Match 49: Group A winners vs. Group B runners up: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 5 pm
Match 50: Group C winners vs. Group D runners up: Bank of America Stadium; kick-off 9 pm
Sunday, 29 June
Match 51: Group B winners vs. Group A runners up: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Match 52: Group D winners vs. Group C runners up: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 9 pm
Monday, 30 June
Match 53: Group E winners vs. Group F runners up: Bank of America Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Match 54: Group G winners vs. Group H runners up: Camping World Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Tuesday, 1 July
Match 55: Group H winners vs. Group G runners up: Hard Rock Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Match 56: Group F winners vs. Group E runners up: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; kick-off 2 am
Quarter-final fixtures
Friday, 4 July
Match 57: Winner match 53 vs. Winner match 54: Camping World Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Match 58: Winner match 49 vs. Winner match 50: Lincoln Financial Field; kick-off 2 am
Saturday, 5 July
Match 59: Winner match 51 vs. Winner match 52: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; kick-off 5 pm
Match 60: Winner match 55 vs. Winner match 56: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 9 pm
Semi-final fixtures
Tuesday, 8 July
Match 61: Winner match 57 vs. Winner match 58: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
Wednesday, 9 July
Match 62: Winner match 59 vs. Winner match 60: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
FIFA Club World Cup Final
Sunday, 13 July
Match 63: Winner match 61 vs. Winner match 62: MetLife Stadium; kick-off 8 pm
What’s the format of the Club World Cup?
The two leading teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.
The last 16 stage, which constitutes the initial single elimination round, subsequently advances to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final match. It is important to note that there is no third-place playoff between the two teams that are defeated in the semi-final stage.
Messi’s Inter Miami is scheduled to compete against the Egyptian team Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for the opening match.
Who are the current Club World Cup champions?
In 2023, Manchester City successfully secured the Club World Cup, further enhancing their trophy collection. The team’s victory was marked by a dominant 4-0 win against Fluminense, with notable contributions from players Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden.
What’s this about Robbie Williams in the Club World Cup?
Robbie Williams is scheduled to perform at the Club World Cup, fulfilling his responsibilities as an ambassador for FIFA.
The artist has been appointed as the music ambassador for the governing body of football and will collaborate with FIFA at various upcoming events and tournaments.
He took the stage at the launch event for the Club World Cup earlier this January, and FIFA has announced to Sky Sports News that he will also be performing at this summer’s tournament.
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