Format
The redesigned FIFA Club World Cup kicks off June 14, 2025, in the United States, spanning 32 teams, 63 matches, and culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) on July 13 .FIFA club historical events.
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What’s the Club World Cup?
- Historical format: Previously annual (six–eight teams).
- New structure (from 2025): Expanded to 32 teams, held every four years—mirroring the senior World Cup.
- Annual alternative: The new FIFA Intercontinental Cup debuted in December 2024, replacing the former Club World Cup during non-quadrennial years.
Tournament Format
- 32 teams grouped into 8 groups of 4.
- Each group uses a round-robin stage.
- Top two from each group advance to a knockout bracket: Round of 16 → Quarter-finals → Semi-finals → Final.
Schedule Overview
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group stage | June 14–26 |
| Round of 16 | June 28–July 1 |
| Quarter-finals | July 4–5 |
| Semi-finals | July 8–9 |
| Final | July 13 at MetLife Stadium |
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Host Cities & Stadiums
- Hosted across 11 U.S. cities in 12 venues
- Venues include:
- Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
- TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
- Rose Bowl (Pasadena/Los Angeles)
- Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
- GEODIS Park (Nashville)
- MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford) – Final
- Camping World & Inter&Co Stadiums (Orlando)
- Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- Lumen Field (Seattle)
- Audi Field (Washington, DC) Five of these will also host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup .
Qualified Teams & Group Breakdown
32 clubs from six confederations. Here are the confirmed groups:
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- Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami (hosts via Shield)
- Group B: PSG, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
- Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
- Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, LAFC
- Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
- Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Group G: Manchester City (defending champions), Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
- Group H: Real Madrid, Al‑Hilal, Pachuca, FC Salzburg
Prize Money & MLS Pay Dispute
- Prize pool: Estimated at $1 billion, with champions earning up to $125 million .
- MLS payments:
- Each of Inter Miami, Seattle, LAFC receives a $9.55 million baseline fee.
- Performance incentives and match results add more .
- Players’ dispute: MLSPA demands a greater share than the proposed 20 % share of performance money, citing international standards .
Final Venue & Entertainment
- Final: July 13 at MetLife Stadium, capacity ~82,500 seats. A future 2026 World Cup final venue .
- Halftime entertainment: Features J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems, produced by Global Citizen .
Tournament History Snapshot
- Inaugural: 2000, won by Corinthians; Brazil dominated early years .
- European era: AC Milan, Man United, Barcelona, Inter, Bayern, Real Madrid, Manchester City took turns dominating 2007–2023 .
- Most titles: Real Madrid, with five trophies .
- Record scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 goals. Messi & Suarez close behind .
- Most successful manager: Pep Guardiola, with four titles across Barcelona, Bayern, and Man City .
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Club World Cup marks a bold step by FIFA—quadrennial, expanded, U.S.-hosted, enriched by a $1B prize pool. Yet, the ambitious format raises debate over player welfare, competitive integrity, and financial fairness. With Lionel Messi representing Inter Miami and global fanfare converging, the stage is set for a landmark heavy‑metal kickoff of June 14 in Miami.
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