The draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been completed and the 32 participants now know their fate for next summer’s group stage in the United States.
The expanded and revamped tournament has divided opinion among supporters, many of whom are already weary of the relentlessness of the club’s football schedule. However, when the competition rolls around next June, there will certainly be eyes on North America.
Group stage draw has thrown up some fascinating duels as a host of clubs from across the six continental confederations prepare to achieve world champion status. Many of the matchups in the tournament have never been seen before.
Here are the six most intriguing matches from the Club World Cup 2025 group stage: ranked.
Next summer’s Club World Cup kicks off with a bang. Inter Miami It may only be in the competition as the host club, but it is one of the best American teams, led by eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and supported by fellow veterans and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez.
Eyes will no doubt be on the Herons’ diminutive Argentine, but reigning African Champions League holders Al Ahly have plenty of experience in this competition. The Egyptian giants are making their 10th appearance after winning CAF’s most prestigious prize in three of the last four seasons.
These two European foes locked horns for the first time during the 2024/25 league stage Champions Leaguewith an effort in the 93rd minute by super assistant manager Àngel Correa ensuring a comeback victory for the Spanish team. It may not have the appeal of intercontinental battles, but it will be one of the highest quality meetings during the group stage.
It will be the first game for both teams in Group B, with reigning Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo and 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners Seattle Sounders watching with keen interest.
Chelsea they have faced Brazilian opposition twice in the past (excluding friendlies) but have never faced Flamengo in a duel. The Blues will be among the favorites for the tournament in the United States, with games against Mexican side León and Tunisian side ES Tunis in between a powerful clash with one of South America’s colloquia.
Flamengo have made regular appearances at the Club World Cup in recent years, reaching the final of the competition in 2019. On that occasion they faced English rivals, losing 1-0 to Liverpool after extra time. It’s the closest they’ve come to the crown.
Juventus i Manchester City they have battled on six occasions since their first meeting in 1976 in the UEFA Cup, but the Italian giants have not met England’s dominant force since 2015. Two League One group stage games Champions finished in favor of Juve.
However, it will be Man City who boast the favorite tag when these two meet at the Club World Cup. The Cityzens won the trophy in 2023 on their only appearance, with Juventus having never taken the field in the competition. It will be another high quality affair between European heavyweights.
Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors have never contested a Club World Cup, but did face each other in the 2001 Intercontinental Cup. Originally held from 1960 to 2004, the competition would pit the winners of the Champions League/European Cup against the champions of the Copa Libertadores in a timely duel.
Argentine giants Boca were the reigning champions when they faced Bayern in 2001, but it was the German side who triumphed thanks to centre-back Samuel Kaffour’s extra-time effort.
The gap between these two behemoths is wider now than it was at the turn of the century, but next summer’s showdown should be just as dramatic.
You don’t have to look too far in the record books to find the last and only meeting between them Real Madrid and Al Hilal. The two met at the 2022 Club World Cup (which actually took place in February 2023) in Morocco and played out a thriller in the final.
The Spanish side triumphed for a record fifth time in the competition by beating their Saudi rivals 5-3, with Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior scoring twice in an exciting match. Despite the score, Madrid never lost control of a high-scoring game.
More of the same would be welcome next summer, with Al Hilal currently boasting Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and, of course, Neymar in their squad.
