FIFA has marked a historic moment in club football with the announcement of the group stage draw for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, setting the stage for an unprecedented month-long tournament that will bring together the world’s elite clubs in the United States. The draw, conducted in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, has produced several intriguing matchups that promise to deliver exceptional football across America’s premier venues.
In a significant departure from its traditional format, the tournament has evolved from a seven-team annual competition into an ambitious 32-team spectacle scheduled to run from June 15 to July 13, 2025. The competition will culminate in a grand finale at the iconic MetLife Stadium, following a format similar to the FIFA World Cup.
The draw has created several compelling narratives, with Group A featuring an especially intriguing mix as Brazilian giants Palmeiras face Portugal’s FC Porto, Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, and Inter Miami, representing the host nation. The presence of Inter Miami adds particular intrigue given the club’s recent trajectory in American soccer.
Group G has emerged as one of the tournament’s most competitive quartets, featuring current UEFA Champions League holders Manchester City alongside Italian giants Juventus, UAE’s Al Ain, and Morocco’s Wydad AC. This group exemplifies the tournament’s global reach and competitive depth.
European football royalty Real Madrid headlines Group H, where they’ll face strong opposition from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Mexico’s Pachuca, and Austria’s RB Salzburg. The Spanish giants’ pursuit of adding another international trophy to their illustrious cabinet will be closely watched.
The tournament’s expanded format has allowed for broader representation across continents, with clubs from UEFA, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF featured prominently. The inclusion of teams from Asia, Africa, and Oceania further emphasizes the tournament’s global scope and FIFA’s commitment to developing club football worldwide.
Group B presents another fascinating scenario with Paris Saint-Germain set to face Atlético Madrid in what promises to be one of the group stage’s most anticipated matchups. The inclusion of Brazil’s Botafogo and Seattle Sounders adds an interesting cross-continental dynamic to this group.
German champions Bayern Munich find themselves in Group C alongside Argentina’s storied Boca Juniors, Portugal’s Benfica, and Oceania’s representatives Auckland City, creating a diverse mix of footballing cultures and styles.
The tournament’s structure reflects FIFA’s vision for a more inclusive and competitive club competition on the global stage. With matches spread across 12 prestigious venues throughout the United States, the event promises to be not just a sporting spectacle but a celebration of global football culture.
Looking at the technical aspects, the tournament’s format ensures that teams must navigate through group stage matches before advancing to the knockout rounds, adding another layer of complexity to their quest for global supremacy. This extended format allows for more meaningful encounters between clubs from different confederations, potentially reshaping the landscape of international club competition.
As teams begin their preparations for this groundbreaking tournament, the expanded format presents new challenges in terms of squad management and scheduling, particularly for European and South American clubs adapting to the summer timing and extended duration of the competition.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup represents a bold step forward in the evolution of international club football, bringing together traditional powerhouses and emerging forces in a format that promises to deliver unprecedented levels of competition and entertainment. As the countdown to kickoff begins, the football world eagerly anticipates this new chapter in the sport’s history.
