The expanded FIFA Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams from six continental confederations, is set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
The draw, scheduled for Thursday at 6 PM GMT in Miami, will determine group stages for this groundbreaking tournament.
Pot Placement for European Giants
Manchester City and Chelsea, both previous Champions League winners, are gearing up for the competition with contrasting placements.
- Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s squad joins Pot 1 alongside elite clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as South American powerhouses Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, and Fluminense.
- Chelsea: The 2021 Champions League winners are in Pot 2, grouped with other top-tier teams such as Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, and Juventus.
Full Pot Listings
Pot 1
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, Fluminense
Pot 2
Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg
Pot 3
Al-Hilal, Ulsan Hyundai, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Monterrey, Leon, Boca Juniors, Botafogo
Pot 4
Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al-Ain, Hope of Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pachuca, Auckland City
Tournament Format and Key Details
The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four. Each team will play the others in their group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
- UEFA Exception: While clubs from the same confederation cannot be in the same group, UEFA will permit four groups to include two European teams.
- Opening Match: Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, will kick off the tournament at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on June 15, 2025.
FIFA’s Squad Requirement
FIFA has made it clear: participating clubs must bring their strongest squads. With this regulation in place, fans can expect top-tier talent to grace the tournament, which promises to elevate the global club football scene to new heights.
Which group will emerge as the “Group of Death,” and which team will dominate the knockout stages? The stage is set for a thrilling summer of football in 2025!