Are you feeling a bit confused about the new FIFA Club World Cup that’s coming next summer? You’re not alone. With all the changes happening to this tournament, it’s hard to keep track of which teams are playing, when the games are happening, and why this version is so different from past ones.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States on June 15, and for the first time ever, it will feature 32 teams from around the world – a massive change from the usual 7-team format we’ve seen before.
This guide breaks down everything in simple terms – from how the new format works to which stars (yes, including Messi) will be taking the field. No complicated football jargon, just straightforward information to help you understand what all the excitement is about and how you can be part of it.
So if you’ve been seeing headlines about the “biggest Club World Cup ever” but aren’t quite sure what that means for you as a fan, keep reading.
What Is the FIFA Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup has been the ultimate showdown for the champions of each continent since its inception in 2000. Traditionally, it was a short, seven-team tournament, often overshadowed by the World Cup for national teams. But in 2025, FIFA is taking the Club World Cup to the next level. Think of it as the “World Cup for Clubs”—32 of the world’s best teams, 63 matches, and a month-long festival of football in 12 iconic American stadiums.
The goal? To crown the undisputed kings of club soccer and, of course, to generate unprecedented excitement (and revenue) for the sport. This is FIFA’s boldest club tournament yet, and it’s designed to be a true global spectacle.
The New 2025 FIFA WC Format: 32 Teams, More Drama
Forget the old, compact format. The 2025 Club World Cup is all about scale and inclusivity. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 32 Teams: The tournament now mirrors the men’s World Cup, with 32 clubs from around the globe.
- Group Stage: Eight groups of four teams each. Every team plays three group matches.
- Knockout Rounds: The top two teams from each group advance to a Round of 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final.
- No Third-Place Match: Unlike the national team World Cup, there’s no consolation game for losing semi-finalists.
- Tiebreakers: Extra time and penalties will decide any knockout-stage draws.
This structure means more matches, more upsets, and more chances for underdog stories—exactly what fans crave.
How Teams Qualified: Champions and Ranking Royalty
The path to the 2025 Club World Cup was a marathon, not a sprint. Qualification was based on a four-year cycle (2021–2024), rewarding both continental champions and consistently top-performing clubs.
Slot Allocation by Confederation:
- UEFA (Europe): 12 slots (most of any region)
- CONMEBOL (South America): 6 slots
- AFC (Asia): 4 slots
- CAF (Africa): 4 slots
- CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean): 4 slots
- OFC (Oceania): 1 slot
- Host Nation (USA): 1 slot
Who Made the Cut?
- Europe: Powerhouses like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Benfica, and Red Bull Salzburg.
- South America: Brazilian giants Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, plus Argentine legends River Plate and Boca Juniors.
- North America: Monterrey, Pachuca, Seattle Sounders, and LAFC.
- Africa: Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad AC (Morocco), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
- Asia: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (UAE), and Ulsan HD (South Korea).
- Oceania: Auckland City (New Zealand).
- USA Host: Inter Miami CF, led by none other than Lionel Messi.
This lineup guarantees a melting pot of footballing styles, histories, and fanbases. While UEFA and CONMEBOL clubs are favorites, the expanded format opens the door for shocks and Cinderella runs.
Host Nation and Venues: Soccer Takes Over America
The United States, a rising soccer power and host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is the perfect stage for this global festival. FIFA selected 12 venues in 11 cities, spanning coast to coast and showcasing the diversity of American sports culture.
Key Stadiums:
- Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL): Opening match—Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly.
- MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ): The grand final.
- Lumen Field (Seattle, WA): All three Seattle Sounders group matches.
- Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA): Iconic home to American soccer history.
- Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA), Audi Field (Washington D.C.), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH), Geodis Park (Nashville, TN), Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, FL): Hosting group and knockout matches.
Five of these venues will also be used in the 2026 World Cup, giving fans a preview of what’s to come. The tournament is expected to draw massive crowds, though ticket sales have started slowly, prompting FIFA to lower prices to avoid empty stands.
2025 FIFA World Club Prize Money: Record-Breaking Rewards
If you think the Champions League is lucrative, think again. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will dish out an eye-watering $1 billion in total prize money, making it the richest club competition in football history.
How the Money Will Be Split:
- Participation Payments ($525 million): Every club gets a guaranteed payout just for showing up.
- Europe: $12.8–38.2 million per club (based on sporting and commercial ranking)
- South America: $15.21 million per club
- North America, Asia, Africa: $9.55 million per club
- Oceania: $3.58 million for Auckland City
- Performance Bonuses ($475 million):
- Group stage: $2 million per win, $1 million per draw
- Round of 16: $7.5 million
- Quarter-final: $13.125 million
- Semi-final: $21 million
- Finalist: $30 million
- Winner: $40 million (plus participation payments, totaling up to $125 million for the champion)
- Solidarity Payments ($250 million): FIFA will invest an additional quarter-billion dollars to support club football development globally.
For many clubs, especially outside Europe, these sums are transformative. Even for European giants, the financial windfall is significant—though some disputes remain over how much players themselves will see.
The Opening Ceremony: Star Power in Miami
The 2025 Club World Cup kicks off in style at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Global music icons French Montana and Swae Lee will headline the opening ceremony, joined by Vikina and Richaelio. The event, broadcast by DAZN, promises a fusion of soccer and pop culture, setting the tone for a tournament where entertainment is just as important as the action on the pitch.
Where to Watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?
Soccer fans, rejoice! For the first time, every match of the Club World Cup will be streamed for free worldwide via DAZN, which secured the global rights for €1 billion. DAZN’s coverage will include live games, special features (including a transfer special with Fabrizio Romano), and collaborations with TikTok and content creators to reach younger fans.
In China, streaming platform Migu will provide exclusive coverage. Local broadcasters in various countries will also sublicense matches, ensuring that fans everywhere can tune in, whether on TV, mobile, or social media.
The Squads: Who’s Playing and Who to Watch
With 32 teams comes a galaxy of footballing talent, legends, rising stars, and cult heroes. Here are some of the key players to watvh at the 2025 FIFA Club Woerld Cup and storylines to keep your eye on:
Superstars and Legends
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): The GOAT returns to a World Cup stage, this time with his club. Can he deliver one more magical run, flanked by old friends Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba?
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): The French phenom, now in Madrid, leads a Galáctico squad. After a trophyless first season, he’s hungry to prove himself on the world stage.
- Rodri: The cuurent Ballon d’Or winner will have a chance to show the world what he is capable of at the tournament.
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): Fresh off a Champions League triumph, Dembélé is central to PSG’s hopes in the USA.
- Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich): The veteran German, playing his final games for Bayern, looks to bow out with another trophy.
- Weston McKennie (Juventus): The American star gets a rare chance to play club football on home soil.
Emerging Talents
- Franco Mastantuono (River Plate): At just 17, Mastantuono is already making waves in Argentina and has just completed a move to Real Madrid.
- Estêvão (Palmeiras): The Brazilian prodigy, set to join Chelsea post-tournament, is one of South America’s brightest young stars.
Goal Machines
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): 29 goals in 32 appearances for his new club.
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): 25 goals in 30 matches.
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund): 22 goals in 26 matches.
- Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica): 22 goals in 29 matches.
Veterans and Record Holders
- Fabio (Fluminense): At 44, he’s the oldest player in the tournament, still going strong nearly three decades after his first FIFA appearance.
- Sergio Ramos (Monterrey), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich): All bring vast experience and leadership.
Former Club World Cup Winners
There are 26 FIFA World Cup winners among the squads, including Messi, Mbappé, Thomas Müller, Ousmane Dembélé, and more. Atlético Madrid alone boasts six!
Fun Facts about the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
- Most Represented Nationality: Brazilians (142), followed by Argentinians (104).
- Youngest Player: Takeshi Wada (Urawa Red Diamonds), just turned 16.
- Tallest Player: Gustavo Ramalho (Fluminense), at 2.01 meters.
- Shortest Players: Kaio Cesar (Al Hilal) and Yeferson Soteldo (Fluminense), both at 1.60 meters.
Tournament Schedule and Must-See Matches
The action kicks off June 14 in Miami, with Inter Miami facing Al Ahly. The group stage runs until the end of June, followed by the knockout rounds, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.
Key Fixtures to Watch:
- Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly: Messi’s Club World Cup debut.
- Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: A potential clash of European titans.
- Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field: Home advantage for the American hopefuls.
- River Plate vs. Boca Juniors: If they meet, expect fireworks.
With 63 matches, there will be no shortage of drama, upsets, and last-minute heroics.
Fan Experience: Tickets, Travel, and Atmosphere
Americans are known for doing things big, and the Club World Cup will be no exception. Here’s what fans can expect:
- Tickets: Prices have been slashed due to slow sales, with the cheapest final ticket at $766. FIFA is working to fill stadiums and create a festival atmosphere.
- Travel: With venues spread across the country, fans can combine soccer with sightseeing—from Miami’s beaches to New York’s skyscrapers.
- Fan Zones: Expect lively fan parks, pre-match parties, and plenty of food and entertainment.
- Entry Policies: International fans should check US visa requirements. Some restrictive policies remain in place, and protests in certain cities could affect travel.
The Impact and Legacy
FIFA’s vision for the expanded Club World Cup is to grow the global game, boost revenues, and give clubs outside Europe and South America a bigger platform. With $1 billion in prize money and another $250 million in solidarity payments, the tournament could transform club football finances, especially in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
However, the tournament has its critics. Player unions have raised concerns about fixture congestion and player welfare, as top stars face back-to-back summers of major tournaments (Euro 2024, Club World Cup 2025, and World Cup 2026). Clubs are happy with the money, but some fans worry about diluted prestige and crowded calendars.
2025 FIFA WC Predictions: Who Will Lift the Trophy?
It’s the question on every fan’s mind. The favorites? European giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, and Bayern Munich. South American powerhouses like Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, and Boca Juniors can never be counted out. And with Messi in Inter Miami, who’s to say Inter Miami can’t dream big?
The expanded format means upsets are possible. Could an African, Asian, or MLS club make a deep run? The beauty of this new tournament is that it’s uncharted territory—anything could happen.
Conclusion
Love it or hate it, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup represents a bold new chapter in football history. For fans, it’s a chance to see dream matchups, discover new teams, and witness a tournament that could change how we think about club football.
Whether you’re planning to attend in person, gather with friends for watch parties, or follow along on social media, the Club World Cup promises to deliver unforgettable moments. Mark your calendars for June 15, 2025—the footballing world is coming to America, and you won’t want to miss it.
