The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to begin on June 15 in the United States, bringing together 32 elite football clubs from across the globe. For the first time, the tournament will follow a new format inspired by the FIFA World Cup, promising high-stakes matches and global fan engagement.
Los Angeles FC, where the Turkish star Cengiz Ünder plays, won their playoff match against Club América of Mexico with a 2-1 score, securing the final spot in the tournament.
New Format, Bigger Stage
The tournament format has changed significantly. With 32 teams now competing, the structure mimics the classic World Cup format. There will be 8 groups, each with 4 teams, and every team plays only one group match. The top two from each group advance to the knockout stage.
This year’s change highlights FIFA’s effort to turn the Club World Cup into a truly global football showcase, representing clubs from six continents.
Groups for the 2025 Tournament
Here are the official groupings for the tournament:
- Group A: Palmeiras (Brazil), Porto (Portugal), Al Ahly (Egypt), Inter Miami (USA)
- Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (France), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Botafogo (Brazil), Seattle Sounders (USA)
- Group C: Bayern Munich (Germany), Auckland City (New Zealand), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Benfica (Portugal)
- Group D: Flamengo (Brazil), Chelsea (England), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), Los Angeles FC (USA)
- Group E: River Plate (Argentina), Inter (Italy), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Monterrey (Mexico)
- Group F: Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Ulsan (South Korea), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Group G: Manchester City (England), Juventus (Italy), Wydad (Morocco), Al Ain (UAE)
- Group H: Real Madrid (Spain), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Salzburg (Austria), Pachuca (Mexico)
The opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami will kick off the action in Group A on June 15.
Football, Unity, and Global Spirit
While the event remains a sports competition, the FIFA Club World Cup also fosters cross-cultural dialogue and international unity. With teams from every region, it becomes more than just a tournament—it becomes a symbol of global cooperation and shared values.
For many fans, it’s a reminder of how sport, like faith, can bring people together regardless of borders.
