In Summary:
- The FIFA Club World Cup will be much bigger in 2025, with 32 top teams playing in the USA from June to July.
- Teams from six different regions will compete in eight groups, then move to a knockout stage.
- A new trophy and official ball await the winner of this unique global club football event.
The FIFA Club World Cup is getting much larger in 2025, bringing 32 top club teams from around the world to the United States. Running from June to July, this big tournament will see teams from six global regions compete in groups, followed by knockout rounds. With games held in 12 US cities and a new trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. for the champion, this expanded event promises exciting football and a chance for a club to be named the world’s best.
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Big Football Event Coming to USA: FIFA Club World Cup Expands in 2025
A major global football competition is set to take place. The first large-scale FIFA Club World Cup will kick off in the United States. It will run from June to July in 2025.
Thirty-two top club teams from around the world will compete. These teams represent six different football regions: Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North and Central America (Concacaf), South America (Conmebol), Oceania (OFC), and Europe (UEFA).
Here is a list of the teams that are ready to compete, organized by their region:
Africa (CAF):
Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad AC (Morocco), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
Asia (AFC):
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (UAE), and Ulsan HD (South Korea).
Europe (UEFA):
Chelsea (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Manchester City (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), PSG (France), Inter Milan (Italy), FC Porto (Portugal), Benfica (Portugal), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Juventus (Italy), Atlético Madrid (Spain), and FC Salzburg (Austria).
North & Central America, Caribbean (Concacaf):
CF Monterrey (Mexico), Seattle Sounders (USA), CF Pachuca (Mexico). One more team will join, either Club América (Mexico) or LAFC (USA).
Oceania (OFC):
Auckland City (New Zealand).
South America (Conmebol):
Palmeiras (Brazil), Flamengo (Brazil), Fluminense (Brazil), Botafogo (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina), and Boca Juniors (Argentina).
Host Nation:
Inter Miami CF (USA).
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Tournament Structure and Key Matches
The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups. Each group will have four teams. The top two teams from each group will move on to the next stage.
Here are the confirmed groups:
Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: PSG, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Group D: Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis, Chelsea, and one team still to be confirmed.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, CF Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad AC, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, CF Pachuca, FC Salzburg
The tournament begins on June 14, 2025. The very first match will be between Inter Miami CF and Al Ahly.
Another notable game is scheduled for June 18. Mamelodi Sundowns will play against Ulsan HD at the Inter & Co Stadium.
Venues, Trophies, and the Special Format
Twelve different stadiums across the USA will host the matches. The opening game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The final match will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
Other cities hosting games include Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
The winning team will receive a new trophy. This shiny award was shown for the first time in November 2024. Tiffany & Co. designed it. The first champion of this expanded tournament will get to lift it.
Adidas has created the official football for the event. It features the colors red, white, and blue, matching the USA flag. It also has a design with stars and stripes.
The tournament format is straightforward. Thirty-two teams start in eight groups. Each team plays three matches within their group. The two best teams from each group advance. Then, the competition becomes a knockout style. Teams that lose are eliminated.
The number of teams goes from 16 down to eight, then four, and finally two. The last two teams play in the final match. The winner takes the title. There will be no match to decide third place.
This tournament is unique because it brings together the best club teams from every continent. The FIFA Club World Cup started in 2000 with fewer teams. Now, in 2025, it is much bigger, with 32 teams. This larger format means more exciting football for everyone. Winning this event means being recognized as the best club team in the world.
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