High Stakes in the States; FIFA Club World Cup Preview

The FIFA Club World Cup is a tournament that was once branded “a mistake” by former FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Now the federation prepares for the 21st edition which introduces a brand-new, 32-club format. The United States is ready for a football festival; let’s take a look at what to expect from the new-look tournament. 

EVOLUTION OF THE COMPETITION’S FORMAT 

2000 

This is the third time that the format has changed for the FIFA Club World Cup. The first format came in 2000 when it was contested by two teams from South America, two from Europe and one team each from North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. 

The structure was simple, knockout football starting from the quarter final stage, it featured the champions from all six confederations. The final in 2000 was an all Brazilian final where Corinthians came out victorious over Vasco De Gama. 

2005- 2024

After a five year hiatus, the 2005 version of the Club World Cup saw a new shortened format in order to fit around the issues of club scheduling. It contained the six reigning continental champions with the COMNEBOL Copa Libertadores and UEFA Champions League winners getting a pass to the semi finals of the competition. 

The structure was a seven team tournament knockout tournament with preliminary and quarter final rounds. This format has produced 12 different winners with Real Madrid being the most successful with 5 wins (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022). 

2025: A new beginning 

In 2016, FIFA President Gianni Infantino originally proposed the idea of expanding the Club World Cup to 32 teams from 2019 onwards in order to make it more balanced and attract more sponsors and broadcasters.

In 2017, it was decided that the proposal would happen but with 24 teams instead. The first edition was due to be in 2021 including Champions League winners and runners up, Europa League winners, Libertadores winners from 2017/18-20/21 with the remaining qualifying spots up for grabs from the other confederations. 

Together with the new UEFA Nations League in 2019, around $25 billion worth of revenue would be produced between 2021 and 2033. The 2021 edition was cancelled due to scheduling issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In 2022, it was expanded to 32 teams and announced to take place in June 2025. A year later the host spot of the USA was chosen as a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. 

The Worlds League forum has criticised the decision to go ahead with the format, saying that FIFA "continues to prioritise its own choices over the health of the game.” 

Teams qualified for FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 

Club qualified for the tournament by either winning their continental title in one of the past four seasons, or by maintaining a high co-efficient ranking in the same period. 

AFC (Asia)

• Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

• Urawu Red Diamonds (Japan)

• Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)

• Ulsan HD (South Korea)

  
  

CAF (Africa)

• Al Ahly (Egypt)

• Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

• Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)

• Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

  
  

CONCACAF (USA)

• Monterrey (Mexico)

• Seattle Sounders (USA)

• Pachuca (Mexico)

• Los Angeles (USA)

• Inter Miami (USA, host)

  
  

CONMEBOL (South America)

• Palmeiras (Brazil)

• Flamengo (Brazil)

• Fluminense (Brazil)

• Botafogo (Brazil)

• River Plate (Argentina)

• Boca Juniors (Argentina)

  
  

OFC (Oceania)

• Auckland City (New Zealand)

  
  

UEFA (Europe)

• Chelsea (England)

• Real Madrid (Spain)

• Manchester City (England)

• Bayern Munich (Germany)

• Paris Saint-Germain (France)

• Inter Milan (Italy)

• Porto (Portugal)

• Benfica (Portugal)

• Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

• Juventus (Italy)

• Atletico Madrid (Spain)

• Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)

  
  

GROUPS 

Group A

Palmeiras 

Porto

Al Ahly

Inter Miami 

Group B

Paris Saint-Germain

Atletico Madrid

Botafogo

Seattle Sounders

Group C

Bayern Munich

Auckland City

Boca Juniors

Benfica 

Group D

Flamengo

Esperance de Tunis

Chelsea

Los Angeles

Group E

River Plate

Urawu Red Diamonds

Monterrey

Inter Milan

Group F

Fluminense

Borussia Dortmund

Ulsan HD

Mamelodi Sundowns 

Group G

Manchester City

Wydad Casablanca

Al Ain

Juventus

Group H

Real Madrid

Al-Hilal

Pachuca

Red Bull Salzburg

An old tournament revamped to bring in new audiences, moved from winter to summer, this tournament looks set to be as unpredictable as any as the world's best head to the United States. Who will come out on top at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?