The draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has taken place, making the new edition of the competition seem a little more real ahead of the summer.
The reformed Club World Cup has not been without controversy – it was originally supposed to debut in China in 2021 until the Covid-19 pandemic pushed it back several years – with many big clubs missing from the so-called global celebration of football. with some odd qualifiers too.
European teams have received 12 places, while South America has six. Most expect the eventual winner to come from any of these continents. There are also four from Asia, Africa and North America, with a single representative from Oceania. No club from the same confederation could be drawn in the competition group, except in Europe – so half the groups would have two European teams.
Qualification criteria ranged from winning continental titles in the last four years, to the highest-ranked clubs in each confederation – but a maximum of two per country, and one ‘host’: Inter Miami.
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Palmeiras (BRA) |
Winners of Copa Libertadores 2021 |
|
Porto (POR) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Al Ahly (ONE) |
2020/21, 2022/23, 2023/24 CAF Champions League winners |
|
Inter Miami (USA) |
Winners of the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Paris Saint Germain (FRA) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Atletico Madrid (ESP) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Botafogo (BRA) |
Winners of Copa Libertadores 2024 |
|
Seattle Sounders (USA) |
2022 CONCACAF Champions League Winners |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Bayern Munich (GER) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Auckland City (NZL) |
OFC ranking |
|
Boca Juniors (ARG) |
CONMEBOL standings |
|
Benfica (POR) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Flamengo (BRA) |
Winners of Copa Libertadores 2022 |
|
Esperance of Tunis (TUN) |
CAF ranking |
|
Chelsea (ENGLAND) |
UEFA Champions League 2020/21 winners |
|
Leon (MEX) |
2023 CONCACAF Champions League Winners |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
River Plate (ARG) |
CONMEBOL standings |
|
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) |
AFC Champions League 2022 Winners |
|
Monterrey (MEX) |
2021 CONCACAF Champions League Winners |
|
Between (ITA) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Fluminense (BRA) |
Winners of Copa Libertadores 2023 |
|
Borussia Dortmund (Germany) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Ulsan HD (KOR) |
AFC standings |
|
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) |
CAF ranking |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Manchester City (ENGLAND) |
UEFA Champions League 2022/23 winners |
|
Wydad (MAR) |
CAF Champions League 2021/22 winners |
|
Al Ain (UAE) |
AFC Champions League 2023/24 winners |
|
Juventus (ITA) |
UEFA ranking |
|
Club |
Qualifying route |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid (ESP) |
UEFA Champions League Winners 2021/22 & 2023/24 |
|
Al Hilal (KSA) |
AFC Champions League 2021 Winners |
|
Pachuca (MEX) |
2024 CONCACAF Champions League Winners |
|
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) |
UEFA ranking |
The tournament will run for just under a full month, between June 15, 2025 and July 13, 2025.
The United States will host the inaugural new edition of the competition, with 12 stadiums in 11 cities selected to host the 63 matches to be played.
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the site of the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are the top two venues listed. Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Cincinnati and Washington will also host.
