Overview of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
The highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to commence this Saturday in the United States, introducing a new format for this prestigious tournament. For the first time, the competition will expand from seven to thirty-two teams, taking place once every four years instead of annually.
This reimagined edition has sparked significant discussion within the football community, especially after former FIFA president Sepp Blatter labeled its previous format a “mistake.” The shift aims to enhance the tournament’s global appeal and competitiveness.
Qualification Process
The tournament will see representation from teams across all six of FIFA’s international confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), C CONCACAF (North and Central America), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). Most of the teams qualified through their continents’ respective club competitions spanning the seasons from 2020-21 to 2023-24.
European clubs dominated the qualification process, with a total of twelve spots available. Notable participants include Chelsea and Manchester City, who recently excelled in the UEFA Champions League. Other European teams earned their places based on performance rankings over the qualifying period.
The table below summarizes the qualified teams by continent:
| Country | Clubs Represented |
|---|---|
| Argentina | River Plate, Boca Juniors |
| Brazil | Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo |
| England | Chelsea, Manchester City |
| Germany | Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund |
| Spain | Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid |
| United States | Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami |
Bringing Star Power
Among the highlights of the tournament is the participation of Inter Miami, which earned its spot by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. This inclusion has drawn attention, particularly due to the presence of global superstar Lionel Messi, further boosting interest in the World Cup.
Competition Format
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will follow a format akin to the FIFA World Cups, featuring 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. Each team will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout phase. Unlike traditional World Cups, there will be no third-place playoff.
The concluding match is scheduled for July 13, 2025, and a total prize pool of £775 million will be available, with winners set to take home up to £97 million.
Match Sites
All games will take place across 12 venues in the United States. Key locations include:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Lumen Field, Seattle
- MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Broadcast Information
Fans can watch every match live on the streaming platform Dazn, which has paid for exclusive rights to broadcast the entire tournament. In the UK, select matches will also be shown on Channel 5.
Controversies and Challenges
Despite its exciting prospects, the tournament has faced backlash regarding potential scheduling conflicts, especially with player welfare concerns regarding an already congested football calendar. FIFA is under scrutiny but insists that the Club World Cup’s addition to the calendar does not significantly contribute to ongoing issues with scheduling.
Additionally, the Club World Cup overlaps with the Women’s Euro 2025, raising questions about the impact on visibility and support for both tournaments.
