The draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been made, making the new version of the competition look a little more real heading into the summer.
The revamped Club World Cup has not been without controversy – it was originally due to debut in China in 2021 until the Covid-19 pandemic pushed it back a few years – while many big clubs are missing from the so-called world football celebration. with some odd qualifiers too.
European teams have obtained 12 places, while South America has six. Most expect the winner to come from any of these continents. There are also four from Asia, Africa and North America, with only one representative from Oceania. No club from the same confederation could be drawn into the playing group, except Europe, so half of the groups will have two European teams.
Qualification criteria range from winning continental titles in the past four years to top-tier clubs within each confederation, but a maximum of two per country and one “host” – Inter Miami.
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Palmeiras (BRA) |
Winners of the Copa Libertadores 2021 |
|
Porto (POR) |
UEFA classification |
|
Al Ahly (ONE) |
CAF Champions League Winners 2020/21, 2022/23, 2023/24 |
|
Inter Miami (USA) |
2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield Winners |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) |
UEFA classification |
|
Atlético de Madrid (ESP) |
UEFA classification |
|
Botafogo (BRA) |
Winners of the Copa Libertadores 2024 |
|
Seattle Sounders (USA) |
Winners of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Bayern Munich (Germany) |
UEFA classification |
|
Auckland City (NZL) |
OFC ranking |
|
Boca Juniors (ARG) |
CONMEBOL ranking |
|
Benfica (POR) |
UEFA classification |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Flamengo (BRA) |
Winners of the Copa Libertadores 2022 |
|
Hope of Tunis (TUN) |
CAF ranking |
|
Chelsea (ENG) |
UEFA Champions League 2020/21 winners |
|
Leon (MEX) |
Winners of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
River Plate (ARG) |
CONMEBOL ranking |
|
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) |
2022 AFC Champions League Winners |
|
Monterrey (MEX) |
Winners of the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League |
|
Between (ITA) |
UEFA classification |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Fluminense (BRA) |
Winners of the Copa Libertadores 2023 |
|
Borussia Dortmund (Germany) |
UEFA classification |
|
Ulsan HD (KOR) |
AFC ranking |
|
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) |
CAF ranking |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Manchester City (CAT) |
2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners |
|
Wydad (MAR) |
2021/22 CAF Champions League winners |
|
Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) |
2023/24 AFC Champions League Winners |
|
Juventus (ITA) |
UEFA classification |
|
club |
Classification route |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid (ESP) |
2021/22 and 2023/24 UEFA Champions League winners |
|
Al Hilal (KSA) |
2021 AFC Champions League Winners |
|
Pachuca (MEX) |
Winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League |
|
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) |
UEFA classification |
The tournament will run for just under a full month, from June 15, 2025 to July 13, 2025.
The United States will star in the new inaugural version of the competition, with 12 stadiums in 11 cities chosen to host the 63 matches to be played.
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, site of the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are the top two venues on the list. Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Cincinnati and Washington DC will also play host.
