There may not be an international men’s soccer tournament next summer, but FIFA has chosen not to give the players a much-needed breather by introducing an expanded Club World Cup.
Once a fierce battle between the best of South America and Europe, the competition has taken various forms since the days of the Intercontinental Cup (which returns in 2024) but has certainly waned in importance in some parts of the world.
It is a trophy that is no longer considered a defining legacy among European clubs, but is treated as seismic in other parts of the world.
In an attempt to give more importance to theirs Club World CupFIFA has regenerated the competition in a big way. The massive expansion means 32 teams will be vying for glory next summer, and the tournament draw is up.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw.
FIFA has scheduled the draw for the 2025 Club World Cup well in advance of the start of the tournament, which will begin on June 15.
The draw is set for Thursday 5th December and will start at 13:00 local time (19:00 CET / 18:00 GMT).
With the tournament taking place in the USA, the draw is held in the United States. Miami, one of the host cities of next summer’s event and the 2026 World Cup, the draw will take place on Thursday.
The Club World Cup draw can be streamed via FIFA.com, FIFA+ and support channels.
All 32 places in next summer’s Club World Cup have been taken and teams will be allocated to four different pots ahead of Thursday’s draw.
The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four, and the eight teams in each pot are divided into different groups. Teams from Pot 1 will be drawn first, then Pot 2, etc., etc., until the draw ends.
There will be no draw for the knockout rounds, as is the case with the Champions League. Each team’s path to the final will be determined by Thursday’s draw.
