The draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup takes place in Miami on Thursday, with officials revealing the first-round groups for the 32 teams set to compete. The expanded tournament, scheduled from June 15 to July 13, 2025, will be held across the United States.
• HISTORY
The tournament concept dates back more than 50 years, beginning with the Intercontinental Cup in 1960, a contest between European and South American champions. FIFA officially launched the Club World Cup in 2000, with Brazil’s Corinthians crowned the inaugural winners. The upcoming 2025 edition will feature 32 teams, making it the largest global club tournament in football history.
• WHO’S PLAYING
The 32 teams will be divided by region, with Europe sending 12 teams, South America 6, and Africa, Asia, and CONCACAF contributing 4 teams each. Oceania will provide one team, while the United States, as the host nation, will also field a team.
Teams:
- Africa: Al Ahly (EGY), Wydad (MAR), Es Tunis (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
- Asia: Al Hilal (KSA), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Al Ain (UAE), Ulsan HD FC (KOR)
- Europe: Chelsea (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Inter Milan (ITA), Porto (POR), Benfica (POR), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Juventus (ITA), Atletico Madrid (ESP), RB Salzburg (AUT)
- North, Central America & Caribbean: Monterrey (MEX), Seattle Sounders (USA), Club Leon (MEX), Pachuca (MEX)
- Oceania: Auckland City (NZL)
- South America: Palmeiras (BRA), Flamengo (BRA), Fluminense (BRA), Botafogo (BRA), River Plate (ARG), Boca Juniors (ARG)
- Host Nation Slot: Inter Miami (USA)
• STADIUMS
The 2025 Club World Cup will be hosted in 12 venues across the United States, with Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium hosting the opening match and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, serving as the venue for the final.
Venues:
- Mercedes Benz-Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
- TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, Ohio
- Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, North Carolina
- Rose Bowl Stadium – Pasadena, California
- Hard Rock Stadium – Miami, Florida
- Geodis Park – Nashville, Tennessee
- MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Florida
- Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando, Florida
- Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington
- Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
• FORMAT
The tournament will adopt a group-stage format similar to the FIFA World Cup between 1998 and 2022. The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four, playing round-robin matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, culminating in the final. There will be no third-place playoff.