Sport

2025 FIFA Club World Cup teams, groups unveiled (Full Draw)

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to usher in a new era in global club football, with an expanded format and an exciting lineup of teams.

The draw, which took place in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, revealed the 32 teams that will compete in what promises to be the most competitive edition of the tournament yet. The full details were shared on the official tournament website and social media.

The competition will unfold from June 15 to July 13, 2025, across 12 iconic stadiums in the United States, culminating in the grand finale at MetLife Stadium. With 63 matches to be played, the tournament marks a significant departure from the past, as the Club World Cup expands from a seven-team annual event to a 32-team competition held every four years, similar to the format of the FIFA World Cup.

Here’s a look at the draw and what fans can expect from this highly anticipated 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.

Idoko Dennis

Idoko Dennis is a creative videographer/drone pilot and sport writer. He heads the sport desk and deputizes the head of Idoma TV

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