In a historic move for international football, FIFA’s revamped 2025 Club World Cup will showcase a 32-team tournament format. The change ushers in a new era in the sport.

Hosted in the United States, the expanded competition is designed to mirror the structure of the FIFA World Cup. The goal? To bring together the world’s most recognized football clubs for an exhilarating month-long showcase of global sportsmanship.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will kick off the tournament against Egypt’s Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 15. The highly anticipated event includes several marquee matchups, including Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid facing Neymar’s Al-Hilal.

With Messi’s inclusion and star-studded rosters, the tournament is expected to draw unprecedented global attention.

A Revamped Club World Cup Format

The 2025 Club World Cup introduces a comprehensive 32-team layout. The tournament features 12 European teams, six South American sides, four teams each from Africa, Asia, and North America, and one from Oceania. Inter Miami is included as a fifth representative for North America due to its host status.

The structure echoes the FIFA World Cup format used from 1998 to 2022. The layout divides the competition into eight groups of four teams, with each team playing three round-robin matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds. The tournament will culminate in a grand finale at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Fans across the United States will have unmatched access to some of the finest football the world has to offer. Scheduled from June 15 to July 13, the tournament will take place in 12 stadiums across 11 cities. The Club World Cup’s concluding match will occur at MetLife Stadium, which is also set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Key Matches and Group Stage Highlights

Manchester City, the reigning 2023 UEFA Champions League winners, will compete in Group G alongside Juventus, Morocco’s Wydad AC, and UAE’s Al Ain. Pep Guardiola’s side will face a diverse array of opponents, beginning with Casablanca’s Wydad before taking on Al Ain and finishing against Juventus.

Chelsea, the 2021 Champions League champions, will headline Group D with matches against Brazil’s Flamengo, Mexico’s Club Leon, and Tunisia’s Esperance Tunis. If both English clubs progress as group winners, they are strategically placed on opposite sides of the bracket, setting the stage for a potential all-English final.

Messi’s Inter Miami leads Group A as the host nation’s representative. Despite the controversy surrounding their selection after an early exit from the 2024 MLS playoffs, the team will face formidable opponents, including Palmeiras, Porto, and Al Ahly. Meanwhile, Group H promises fireworks as Real Madrid and Al-Hilal clash in a battle between Mbappé and Neymar. Pachuca and Salzburg round out the group.

Controversies and Criticisms

Due to Inter Miami’s inclusion as a host representative, some critics accuse FIFA of prioritizing star power over merit. MLS Commissioner Don Garber disagreed, insisting, “There is no rule that said the MLS Cup winner needs to be in the Club World Cup. I am supportive of the decision FIFA made and excited to put Miami and Seattle in a global media showcase.”

Major League Soccer will be represented by two teams: Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders, winners of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League. Both teams are expected to boost MLS’s visibility on the global stage.

A Landmark Event in Global Football

The Club World Cup aims to bring together the best clubs from across the globe, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasizing inclusivity: “It’s about bringing the 32 best clubs and players together.” 

With Messi, Mbappé, Neymar, and other game-changing stars leading the charge, the tournament is set to redefine modern football.

Full Group Stage Draw

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Internazionale

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus

Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg