FULL DRAW: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup teams, groups unveiled

The stage is set for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a groundbreaking tournament that marks the dawn of a new era in global club football.

The draw, held in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, revealed the fate of the 32 participating teams, showcasing an expanded format that promises to be the most competitive edition yet.

This was disclosed on the tournament’s website and social media pages.

The tournament will take place across 12 iconic stadiums in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, with 63 matches culminating in the grand finale at MetLife Stadium.

This expansion sees the Club World Cup grow from a seven-team annual competition to a 32-team tournament held every four years, mimicking the format of the FIFA World Cup.

Here’s how the draw unfolded and what fans can expect from this football extravaganza.

The Draw

The excitement kicked off with a virtual address from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, adding a touch of spectacle to the highly anticipated draw event.

The 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four, ensuring a balanced mix of clubs from different confederations.

Here’s the complete breakdown:

Group A:

Palmeiras (BRA), FC Porto (POR), Al Ahly (EGY), Inter Miami (USA)

Group B:

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Botafogo (BRA), Seattle Sounders (USA)

Group C:

Bayern Munich (GER), Auckland City (NZL), Boca Juniors (ARG), Benfica (POR)

Group D:

Flamengo (BRA), Esperance de Tunis (TUN), Chelsea (ENG), Club Leon (MEX)

Group E:

River Plate (ARG), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Monterrey (MEX), Inter Milan (ITA)

Group F:

Fluminense (BRA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Ulsan Hyundai (KOR), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Group G:

Manchester City (ENG), Wydad AC (MAR), Al Ain (UAE), Juventus (ITA)

Group H:

Real Madrid (ESP), Al Hilal (KSA), Pachuca (MEX), RB Salzburg (AUT)

Key Matchups to Watch

The tournament will open with a thrilling encounter between Al Ahly and Inter Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on June 15.

Fans will also be treated to a blockbuster clash between Manchester City, the reigning champions, and Juventus in the group stage.

Some other must-watch fixtures include:

• Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors: A European powerhouse takes on a South American giant in a clash of styles.
• Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal: The reigning UEFA Champions League winners face the AFC Champions League victors.
• Flamengo vs. Chelsea: Two elite clubs from South America and Europe go head-to-head in Group D.
• River Plate vs. Inter Milan: A historic Argentine club faces the Italian giants in what promises to be a tactical battle.

Tournament Format, Progression

The 2025 Club World Cup will follow a FIFA World Cup-style format.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, starting with the Round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.

Unlike previous editions, there will be no third-place playoff, ensuring a focus on the ultimate prize.

Stadiums, Venues

The tournament will be held across 12 top-tier stadiums in major U.S. cities, offering a diverse backdrop for the global spectacle:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
• Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles)
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
• GEODIS Park (Nashville)
• Camping World Stadium (Orlando)
• Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando)
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
• Lumen Field (Seattle)
• Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
• MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) – Host of the final.

Pot Allocations, Draw Restrictions

The 32 teams were allocated into four pots based on their rankings and continental representation.

Pot 1 featured the highest-ranked teams from Europe and South America, while Pot 4 included teams from Asia, Africa, North America, Oceania, and host club Inter Miami.

FIFA ensured no group featured teams from the same association, maintaining diversity within each group.

Past Champions

Manchester City enters the tournament as the reigning Club World Cup champions, having clinched the 2023 title with a 4-0 victory over Fluminense.

Led by stars like Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden, City will aim to defend their title against a formidable lineup of global contenders.

However, traditional heavyweights like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, River Plate, and Flamengo will be eager to stake their claim on the world stage.

Emerging clubs like Inter Miami, bolstered by high-profile signings, will also look to make their mark.

What’s Next?

With the groups set and anticipation building, FIFA is expected to release the full match schedule, including dates and times, in the coming weeks.

Fans from around the world are gearing up for an unforgettable summer of football as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises to redefine the global club landscape.