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2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw: 32 clubs from 6 continents learn group stage opponents
The draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has officially taken place, generating excitement for the competition’s revamped format.
This new version of the tournament, initially slated to debut in China in 2021, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has now been set for the summer of 2025.
While the competition promises to be a global celebration of football, its format has sparked controversy, with some prominent clubs missing from the lineup and some qualifiers being seen as unusual.
The competition will feature 32 teams, with European clubs receiving the largest share of spots, securing 12 places. South America will contribute six teams, and there will be four teams each from Asia, Africa, and North America, with a single representative from Oceania.
Notably, European clubs are allowed to have multiple teams in the same group, meaning some groups will feature two European sides.
Clubs qualify through various criteria, including winning continental championships in the past four years or being highly ranked within their respective confederations.
There are also restrictions in place, limiting a maximum of two clubs from each country and reserving one spot for the host nation, which will be Inter Miami in this edition.
As the competition approaches, fans are eager to see how the tournament will unfold and whether the final champion will come from the traditionally dominant European or South American teams, or if an underdog from another continent can rise to the occasion.
🚨 🌍🏆 The Official poster for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. pic.twitter.com/YBnnToARKm
— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) December 5, 2024
Group A
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Palmeiras (BRA) | 2021 Copa Libertadores winners |
| Porto (POR) | UEFA ranking |
| Al Ahly (EGY) | 2020/21, 2022/23, 2023/24 CAF Champions League winners |
| Inter Miami (USA) | 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners |
Group B
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | UEFA ranking |
| Atletico Madrid (ESP) | UEFA ranking |
| Botafogo (BRA) | 2024 Copa Libertadores winners |
| Seattle Sounders (USA) | 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners |
Group C
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Bayern Munich (GER) | UEFA ranking |
| Auckland City (NZL) | OFC ranking |
| Boca Juniors (ARG) | CONMEBOL ranking |
| Benfica (POR) | UEFA ranking |
Group D
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Flamengo (BRA) | 2022 Copa Libertadores winners |
| Esperance de Tunis (TUN) | CAF ranking |
| Chelsea (ENG) | 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winners |
| Leon (MEX) | 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners |
Group E
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| River Plate (ARG) | CONMEBOL ranking |
| Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) | 2022 AFC Champions League winners |
| Monterrey (MEX) | 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners |
| Inter (ITA) | UEFA ranking |
Group F
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Fluminense (BRA) | 2023 Copa Libertadores winners |
| Borussia Dortmund (GER) | UEFA ranking |
| Ulsan HD (KOR) | AFC ranking |
| Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) | CAF ranking |
Group G
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Manchester City (ENG) | 2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners |
| Wydad (MAR) | 2021/22 CAF Champions League winners |
| Al Ain (UAE) | 2023/24 AFC Champions League winners |
| Juventus (ITA) | UEFA ranking |
Group H
| Club | Qualifying route |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid (ESP) | 2021/22 & 2023/24 UEFA Champions League winners |
| Al Hilal (KSA) | 2021 AFC Champions League winners |
| Pachuca (MEX) | 2024 CONCACAF Champions League winners |
| Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) | UEFA ranking |
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will take place from 15 June 2025 to 13 July 2025, spanning just under a month.
The tournament will be held in the United States, marking the first time the new, expanded format will be staged. A total of 12 stadiums across 11 cities have been selected to host the 63 games, including iconic venues such as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, which was the site of the 1994 World Cup final, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Other cities hosting matches include Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C..
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· FIFA Legends Alessandro Del… pic.twitter.com/ZqfWDyt5ZC— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) December 5, 2024