2025 FIFA Club World Cup

International soccer tournament held in 2025

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Take it to the World

Tournament details
Host country| United States
Dates| June 15 – July 13, 2025
Teams| 32 (from 6 confederations)
Venue(s)| 12 (in 11 host cities)

<- 2023

2029 ->

International football competition

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is the planned 21st edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, an international club soccer competition organized by FIFA. The tournament is scheduled to be played in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. It is planned to be the first under an expanded format with 32 teams,[1] including the winners of the four previous continental championships.[2]

Manchester City is the defending champion, having won its first title in the last tournament under the old format in 2023.

## Background and format

[edit]

Since its return from hiatus in 2005, the FIFA Club World Cup had been held annually in December and was limited to the winners of continental club competitions.[3] As early as late 2016, FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested expanding the Club World Cup to 32 teams beginning in 2019 and rescheduling it to June/July to be more balanced and more attractive to broadcasters and sponsors.[4] In late 2017, FIFA discussed proposals to expand the competition to 24 teams and have it be played every four years by 2021, replacing the FIFA Confederations Cup.[5] The expanded format and schedule of Club World Cup, to be played in June and July 2021, was confirmed at the March 2019 FIFA Council meeting in Miami.[6][7] China was appointed as host in October 2019,[8] but the 2021 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9][10]

On June 23, 2023, FIFA confirmed that the United States would host the 2025 tournament as a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[11] The host cities for the tournament remained undecided.[12] The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four teams with the top two teams in each group qualifying to the knockout stage.[13] The format will be the same of that used in the FIFA World Cup between 1998 and 2022, with the exception of a third-place play-off.[14]

In January 2024, it was reported that the tournament would take place on the East Coast to be closer to European broadcasters and viewers while also avoiding conflicts with the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will also take place primarily in the United States around the same time but on the West Coast.[15]

## Slot allocation

[edit]

Al-Hilal

Urawa Red Diamonds

Ulsan HD

Al Ain

Al Ahly

Wydad

Espérance de Tunis

Mamelodi Sundowns

Monterrey

Seattle Sounders

León

Pachuca

Palmeiras

Buenos Aires

Rio de Janeiro

Auckland City

Inter Miami

Buenos Aires teams
Boca Juniors
River Plate

Rio de Janeiro teams
Flamengo
Fluminense

class=notpageimage|

Location of the non-UEFA teams participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Salzburg

Chelsea

Manchester City

Paris Saint-Germain

Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund

Inter Milan

Juventus

Porto

Benfica

Madrid

Madrid teams
Atlético Madrid
Real Madrid

class=notpageimage|

Location of the UEFA teams participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

On February 14, 2023, the FIFA Council approved the slot allocation for the 2025 tournament based on a "set of objective metrics and criteria". UEFA was awarded the most slots with twelve, while CONMEBOL was given the second most with six. The AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF were all given four slots, while the OFC and the host association were given one slot each.[16] On March 14, 2023, the FIFA Council approved the key principles of the access list for the tournament.[17] The principles are as follows, considering competitions completed during a four-year period from 2021 to 2024:[18]

* CONMEBOL and UEFA (more than four slots): access for the winners of the confederation's top club competition between 2021 and 2024, with additional teams to be determined by a club ranking of the four-year period.[18]
* AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF (four slots each): access for the winners of the confederation's top club competition between 2021 and 2024.[18][note 1]
* OFC (one slot): access for the highest-ranked club among the winners of the confederation's top club competition between 2021 and 2024.[18][note 2]
* Host country (one slot): this was determined at a later stage.

If a club wins two or more seasons of its confederation's top club competition, additional teams will be determined by a club ranking over the four-year period. Furthermore, a restriction of two clubs per association will be applied, with the exception of champion clubs if more than two clubs from the same association win their confederation's top club competition. The calculation method for the four-year club rankings within each confederation was based on the teams' performance in their respective continental tournaments during seasons completed between 2021 and 2024.[21]

For confederations other than UEFA, the method was as follows:[21]

* 3 points for a win
* 1 point for a draw
* 3 points for successful progression to each new stage of the competition

In the case of UEFA, due to the existence of the well-established UEFA club coefficient system, the method used by UEFA to calculate the club coefficient was "exceptionally applied" to rank the European teams.[21][note 3]

## Teams

[edit]

### Qualified teams

[edit]

The following teams have qualified for the tournament:[22][23][24][18]

Confederation  | Team(s)  | Qualification  | Qualified date(s)  | Participation

|
|
|
|

AFC (4 slots) |  Al-Hilal | Winners of the 2021 AFC Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 4th (Previous: 2019, 2021, 2022)
Urawa Red Diamonds | Winners of the 2022 AFC Champions League | May 6, 2023  | 4th (Previous: 2007, 2017, 2023)
Al Ain | Winners of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League | May 25, 2024  | 2nd (Previous: 2018)
Ulsan HD | AFC 4-year ranking  | April 17, 2024  | 3rd (Previous: 2012, 2020)
CAF (4 slots) |  Al Ahly | Winners of the 2020–21, 2022–23, and 2023–24 CAF Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 10th (Previous: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Wydad AC | Winners of the 2021–22 CAF Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 3rd (Previous: 2017, 2022)
Espérance de Tunis | CAF 4-year ranking  | April 26, 2024  | 4th (Previous: 2011, 2018, 2019)
Mamelodi Sundowns | CAF 4-year ranking  | April 26, 2024  | 2nd (Previous: 2016)
CONCACAF (4 slots) |  Monterrey | Winners of the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 6th (Previous: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021)
Seattle Sounders FC | Winners of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 2nd (Previous: 2022)
León | Winners of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League | June 4, 2023  | 2nd (Previous: 2023)
Pachuca | Winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup | June 1, 2024  | 5th (Previous: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017)
CONMEBOL (6 slots) |  Palmeiras | Winners of the 2021 Copa Libertadores | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 3rd (Previous: 2020, 2021)
Flamengo | Winners of the 2022 Copa Libertadores | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 3rd (Previous: 2019, 2022)
Fluminense | Winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores | November 4, 2023  | 2nd (Previous: 2023)
TBD | Winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores | November 30, 2024  | TBC
River Plate | CONMEBOL 4-year ranking  | May 14, 2024[25] | 3rd (Previous: 2015, 2018)
Boca Juniors | CONMEBOL 4-year ranking  | August 22, 2024  | 2nd (Previous: 2007)
OFC (1 slot) |  Auckland City | Best OFC Champions League winners in the OFC 4-year ranking[note 2] | December 17, 2023  | 12th (Previous: 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023)
UEFA (12 slots) |  Chelsea | Winners of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 3rd (Previous: 2012, 2021)
Real Madrid | Winners of the 2021–22 and 2023–24 UEFA Champions League | March 14, 2023[note 4] | 7th (Previous: 2000, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Manchester City | Winners of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League | June 10, 2023  | 2nd (Previous: 2023)
Bayern Munich | UEFA 4-year ranking  | December 17, 2023[note 5] | 3rd (Previous: 2013, 2020)
Paris Saint-Germain | UEFA 4-year ranking  | December 17, 2023[note 5] | 1st
Inter Milan | UEFA 4-year ranking  | December 17, 2023[note 5] | 2nd (Previous: 2010)
Porto | UEFA 4-year ranking  | December 17, 2023[note 5] | 1st
Benfica | UEFA 4-year ranking  | December 17, 2023[note 5] | 1st
Borussia Dortmund | UEFA 4-year ranking  | March 6, 2024  | 1st
Juventus | UEFA 4-year ranking  | March 12, 2024  | 1st
Atlético Madrid | UEFA 4-year ranking  | April 16, 2024  | 1st
Red Bull Salzburg | UEFA 4-year ranking  | April 17, 2024  | 1st
Host (1 slot) |  Inter Miami CF | Winners of the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield | October 19, 2024[26] | 1st

### Draw

[edit]

The draw will be held on December 5, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EST, in Miami.[27][28] Teams will be seeded into pots, taking into consideration sporting and geographical factors as far as possible.[29]

## Venues

[edit]

On September 28, 2024, FIFA announced the selection of twelve venues in eleven cities for the tournament: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Audi Field in Washington D.C., Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, which will host the opening match,[30] Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host the final.[31] Lumen Field will host all three group stage matches for the Seattle Sounders.[28] Of these selected stadiums, five will be used in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[32]

2025 FIFA Club World Cup venues  | Pasadena, California
(Los Angeles Area) | East Rutherford, New Jersey
(New York City Area) | Charlotte, North Carolina

|
|

Rose Bowl | MetLife Stadium | Bank of America Stadium
Capacity: 88,500 | Capacity: 82,500 | Capacity: 75,000
|  |
Atlanta, Georgia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Seattle, Washington
Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Lincoln Financial Field | Lumen Field
Capacity: 75,000 | Capacity: 69,000 | Capacity: 69,000
|  |
Miami Gardens, Florida
(Miami Area) | Orlando, Florida
Hard Rock Stadium | Camping World Stadium | Inter&Co Stadium
Capacity: 65,000 | Capacity: 65,000 | Capacity: 25,000
|  |
Nashville, Tennessee | Cincinnati, Ohio | Washington D.C.
Geodis Park | TQL Stadium | Audi Field
Capacity: 30,000 | Capacity: 26,000 | Capacity: 20,000
|  |

1200km
820miles

Location of the host cities of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

* 1

Atlanta
* 2

Charlotte
* 3

Cincinnati
* 4

East Rutherford
* 5

Miami Gardens
* 6

Nashville

* 7

Orlando
* 8

Pasadena
* 9

Philadelphia
* 10

Seattle
* 11

Washington D.C.

|

## Group stage

[edit]

In the group stage, teams will be divided into eight groups of four (groups A to H). Teams in each group will play one another in a round-robin, from which the top two teams will advance to the knockout stage.

Tie-breaking criteria for group play

The ranking of teams in the group stage is determined as follows:[29]

1. Points obtained in all group matches;
2. Points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question;
3. Goal difference in the matches played between the teams in question;
4. Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams in question;
5. If, after having applied criteria 1 to 3, teams still have an equal ranking, criteria 1 to 3 are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams who are still level to determine their final rankings.[a] If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria 5 to 9 will apply;
6. Goal difference in all group matches;
7. Number of goals scored in all group matches;
8. Fair play points in all group matches (only one deduction can be applied to a player or coach in a single match):

* Yellow card: −1 points;
* Indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
* Direct red card: −4 points;
* Yellow card and direct red card: −5 points;

9. Drawing of lots.

Notes

1. ^ If there is a three-way tie on points, the application of the first three criteria may only break the tie for one of the teams, leaving the other two teams still tied. In this case, the tiebreaking procedure is resumed, from the beginning, for the two teams that are still tied.

### Group A

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | A1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | A2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | A3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | A4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

A1| v| A2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

A3| v| A4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

A1| v| A3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

A4| v| A2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

A4| v| A1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

A2| v| A3

|
|

|  |

### Group B

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | B1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | B2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | B3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | B4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

B1| v| B2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

B3| v| B4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

B1| v| B3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

B4| v| B2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

B4| v| B1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

B2| v| B3

|
|

|  |

### Group C

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | C1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | C2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | C3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | C4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

C1| v| C2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

C3| v| C4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

C1| v| C3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

C4| v| C2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

C4| v| C1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

C2| v| C3

|
|

|  |

### Group D

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | D1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | D2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | D3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | D4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

D1| v| D2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

D3| v| D4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

D1| v| D3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

D4| v| D2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

D4| v| D1

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|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

D2| v| D3

|
|

|  |

### Group E

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | E1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | E2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | E3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | E4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

E1| v| E2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

E3| v| E4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

E1| v| E3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

E4| v| E2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

E4| v| E1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

E2| v| E3

|
|

|  |

### Group F

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | F1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | F2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | F3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | F4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

F1| v| F2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

F3| v| F4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

F1| v| F3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

F4| v| F2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

F4| v| F1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

F2| v| F3

|
|

|  |

### Group G

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | G1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | G2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | G3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | G4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

G1| v| G2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

G3| v| G4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

G1| v| G3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

G4| v| G2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

G4| v| G1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

G2| v| G3

|
|

|  |

### Group H

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | H1  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | Advance to knockout stage
2  | H2  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0
3  | H3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  |
4  | H4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

First match(es) will be played: June 2025. Source: FIFA

June 2025 (2025-06)

H1| v| H2

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

H3| v| H4

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

H1| v| H3

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

H4| v| H2

|
|

|  |

* * *

June 2025 (2025-06)

H4| v| H1

|
|

|  |

June 2025 (2025-06)

H2| v| H3

|
|

|  |

## Knockout stage

[edit]

In the knockout stage, if the scores are equal when normal playing time expires, extra time will be played for two periods of 15 minutes each. This will be followed, if required, by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winners.[29]

### Bracket

[edit]

| Round of 16| | Quarter-finals| | Semi-finals| | Final

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

| June/July – TBC| | | | | | | |

| Winner Group A|

| July – TBC

| Runner-up Group B| |

| Winner Match 49|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 50| |

| Winner Group C|

| | July – TBC

| Runner-up Group D| |

| Winner Match 57|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 58| |

| Winner Group E|

| July – TBC|

| Runner-up Group F| |

| Winner Match 53|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 54| |

| Winner Group G|

| | July 13 – East Rutherford

| Runner-up Group H| |

| Winner Match 61|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 62|

| Winner Group B|

| July – TBC|

| Runner-up Group A| |

| Winner Match 51|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 52| |

| Winner Group D|

| | July – TBC

| Runner-up Group C| |

| Winner Match 59|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 60| |

| Winner Group F|

| July – TBC|

| Runner-up Group E| |

| Winner Match 55|

| June/July – TBC

| | Winner Match 56| |

| Winner Group H|

| Runner-up Group G| |

### Round of 16

[edit]

2025 (2025)

Winner Group A| Match 49| Runner-up Group B

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group C| Match 50| Runner-up Group D

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group B| Match 51| Runner-up Group A

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group D| Match 52| Runner-up Group C

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group E| Match 53| Runner-up Group F

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group G| Match 54| Runner-up Group H

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group F| Match 55| Runner-up Group E

|
|

|  |

* * *

2025 (2025)

Winner Group H| Match 56| Runner-up Group G

|
|

|  |

### Quarter-finals

[edit]

July 2025 (2025-07)

Winner Match 49| Match 57| Winner Match 50

|
|

|  |

* * *

July 2025 (2025-07)

Winner Match 53| Match 58| Winner Match 54

|
|

|  |

* * *

July 2025 (2025-07)

Winner Match 51| Match 59| Winner Match 52

|
|

|  |

* * *

July 2025 (2025-07)

Winner Match 55| Match 60| Winner Match 56

|
|

|  |

### Semi-finals

[edit]

July 2025 (2025-07)

Winner Match 57| Match 61| Winner Match 58

|
|

|  |

* * *

July 2025 (2025-07)

Winner Match 59| Match 62| Winner Match 60

|
|

|  |

### Final

[edit]

Main article: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final

July 13, 2025 (2025-07-13)

Winner Match 61| Match 63| Winner Match 62

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|

|  |

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

## Broadcasting

[edit]

On July 15, 2024, media rights tender for FIFA's new top club competition open for the Americas, Asia, and Middle East & North Africa for 2025 editions.[33] FIFA published an "invitation to tender in the Americas, Asia, and Middle East & North Africa" weeks after talks with tech giant Apple over an exclusive $1 billion global rights deal for the tournament, which was said to be a quarter of FIFA's broadcasting target value for the tournament reportedly stalled.[34][35][36] On September 19, 2024, FIFA called an emergency meeting to discuss broadcasting rights as a deal was still not reached.[37]

## Marketing

[edit]

### Branding

[edit]

On September 4, 2024, FIFA released the official emblem and audio signature of the tournament. The emblem takes inspiration from the ball, football history and culture, with the initials of the tournament abstracted into a circular icon.[38] The official audio will feature Italian singer Gala's song "Freed from Desire".[39] On November 14, FIFA unveiled the new Club World Cup trophy.[40][41]

### Sponsorship

[edit]

FIFA partners  | FIFA Club World Cup sponsors

|

* Adidas[42]
* Aramco[43]
* Coca-Cola[44]
* Hyundai–Kia[45]
* Lenovo[46]
* Qatar Airways[47]
* Visa[48]

* Anheuser-Busch InBev[49]
* Hisense[50]
* Rock-it Cargo[51]

## Criticism

[edit]

### Impact of added fixtures

[edit]

The proposed expansion was criticized by FIFPRO, a global union of professional players, as well as the World Leagues Forum, which represents professional leagues; both organizations raised concerns about player welfare due to the added fixtures in an already congested playing calendar.[52][53] The Spanish top division league, La Liga, also criticized the plan and said in a statement that it would consider legal action to block the expansion.[54] Many clubs and national federations have opposed its scheduling, accusing FIFA of prioritizing money over the health of the players.[55]

The addition of the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup tournament was also criticized for creating an overload of competitions that would further put the health of the players at risk.[56] In May 2024, FIFPRO and the World Leagues Forum published a letter they sent to FIFA that calls on a rescheduling of the tournament as well as a reform to the FIFA International Match Calendar to give players more time to rest between major competitions, which have also seen expansions. The organizations also stated in the letter that they would advise member clubs to seek legal action or other options in the event that schedule congestion is not addressed.[56][57] On June 13, 2024, FIFPRO announced that England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and France's Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels (UNPF) submitted a legal claim with the Business Court in Brussels to protest the tournament.[58] FIFPRO has warned throughout 2024 that if a compromise is not reached about the Club World Cup, their players may organize a strike.[59]

In a written response to criticism of the added fixtures stated in the letter sent by the FIFPRO and World League Forms, FIFA stated that the accusations stated in the letter were "not supported by facts" and that the schedule for the Club World Cup was aligned with the FIFA International Match Calendar to assure enough time between the tournament final and the start of domestic leagues to ensure player welfare.[60]

### Impact of transfers and free agency

[edit]

The potential impact of transfers on the tournament was questioned, as the summer transfer window will be open in many leagues during the tournament, and thus players in the tournament could potentially be moved to a different club during the tournament, including to other teams playing. In addition, many player contracts in Europe expire on June 30, which could affect the participation of some players.[60]

On October 3, 2024, FIFA announced that an optional transfer window from June 1–10 will be allowed for the member associations whose clubs have qualified for the tournament. Should this window be implemented, it would be available for all clubs from the concerned associations and not only to those participating in the Club World Cup. To address the contract issue, FIFA stated that there would be a "restricted in-competition period" from June 27 to July 3 "within a set limit and according to specific limitations" when the clubs may replace players whose contracts are slated to expire.[61]

### Impact of multi-club ownership

[edit]

In an issue not unique to the Club World Cup, some teams in the tournament are owned by multi-club ownership groups, including tournament qualifiers Pachuca and León, which are both owned by Grupo Pachuca, and which may raise conflict of interest concerns.[60] In response to this concern, FIFA have stated in the tournament regulations that clubs in the competition cannot own shares, be members of other clubs, or influence their performance. Similarly, individuals cannot simultaneously manage or influence multiple clubs. "Influence" in this context is defined as holding a majority of voting rights, having the right to appoint or remove majority board members, controlling a majority of voting rights through agreements, or exercising a decisive influence in the club's decision-making. Should two or more clubs fail to meet the criteria, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee shall review the cases to determine admission status, and the FIFA general secretariat shall allow only one of any conflicted clubs to participate while also selecting the replacement for the prohibited club in the competition.[29]

In November 2024, Costa Rican club Alajuelense announced it had requested FIFA to enforce its multi-club ownership rule to disqualify either Pachuca or León and would pursue legal action if necessary.[62]

### Selection of Inter Miami CF

[edit]

As with previous editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, the new format allocated a slot reserved for the host nation.[16] Traditionally, this slot is filled by the defending champion of the host nation. Unlike in many soccer leagues around the world, the champion of Major League Soccer is determined by a postseason playoff rather than the regular season record.[63] The qualification method had been left undetermined for an extended period of time into the 2024 regular season. At the mid-season MLS All-Star Game, league commissioner Don Garber suggested that the spot could be filled with the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winner, the MLS Cup 2024 winner, or a possible playoff between them.[64][65] On October 19, 2024, FIFA announced that the final slot would be given to Inter Miami CF as winners of the 2024 Supporters' Shield, prior to the beginning of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs and after Inter Miami CF had already won the Shield.[26] This decision came under criticism from fans and media pundits for its lack of transparency, lack of qualification by traditional sporting merit, and as an attempt to court sponsors by ensuring that Lionel Messi would feature in the tournament.[63][66] On November 10, 2024, Inter Miami CF was eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs by Atlanta United FC in the first round.[67] Despite this, Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo Martino defended the selection of the team, arguing that the Supporters' Shield was enough justification for selection.[68]

## See also

[edit]

* 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ As the AFC Champions League was shifted from an intra-year schedule to an inter-year schedule starting from 2023–24, only three seasons of the AFC Champions League were completed within the 2021 to 2024 timeframe, resulting in the remaining slot allocated using the 4-year club ranking.[18]
2. ^ a b As the 2021 OFC Champions League was canceled, the slot was awarded to the best club in the OFC's 4-year ranking that won the competition between 2022 and 2024.[18][19][20]
3. ^ For further information on how UEFA club coefficient is determined, see UEFA coefficient#Men's club coefficient.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i The teams' participation was confirmed on March 14, 2023, with the approval of the access list. However, the teams won the competitions (that eventually qualified them for the Club World Cup) on the following dates: Al-Hilal (November 23, 2021), Al Ahly (July 17, 2021), Wydad AC (May 30, 2022), Monterrey (October 28, 2021), Seattle Sounders FC (May 4, 2022), Palmeiras (November 27, 2021), Flamengo (October 29, 2022), Chelsea (May 29, 2021), and Real Madrid (May 28, 2022).
5. ^ a b c d e Five eligible teams qualified on December 17, 2023, via 4-year confederations ranking, when the qualifying procedure was confirmed. These teams were both guaranteed a place in the top eight and could not be made ineligible by two teams from their own federation accumulating more points.[18]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Everything you need to know". FIFA. February 28, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
2. ^ "FIFA World Cup 2022 praised for its "unique cohesive power"". FIFA.com. FIFA. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
3. ^ Lowy, Zach (January 30, 2023). "Soccer 101: FIFA Club World Cup". St. Louis City SC. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
4. ^ "FIFA boss suggests 32-team Club World Cup in 2019". CBC Sports. Associated Press. November 18, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
5. ^ "FIFA considering 24-team Club World Cup to be played in summer". ESPN. Associated Press. October 31, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
6. ^ "FIFA Council votes for the introduction of a revamped FIFA Club World Cup". FIFA. March 15, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
7. ^ "Fifa Club World Cup: Revised tournament approved despite top European clubs saying they will boycott". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. March 15, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
8. ^ "FIFA Council unanimously appoints China PR as hosts of new Club World Cup in 2021". FIFA. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
9. ^ Ames, Doha (December 16, 2022). "Gianni Infantino announces 32-team men's Club World Cup in 2025". The Guardian. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
10. ^ Olley, James (December 16, 2022). "FIFA to launch new Club World Cup format with 32 teams in 2025". ESPN. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
11. ^ "FIFA Council appoints United States as host of new and expanded FIFA Club World Cup". FIFA. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
12. ^ "United States to host expanded 32-team Club World Cup in 2025". ESPN. Associated Press. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
13. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Dates, format and qualifiers". FIFA. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
14. ^ "FIFA Council confirms key details for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™". www.fifa.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
15. ^ Sheldon, Felipe Cardenas and Dan. "Club World Cup set for U.S. east coast, Gold Cup on west". The Athletic. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
16. ^ a b "FIFA Council highlights record breaking revenue in football". FIFA. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
17. ^ "FIFA Council approves international match calendars". FIFA. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
18. ^ a b c d e f g h "FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ Confederations ranking". FIFA. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
19. ^ "City confirmed for expanded 2025 Club World Cup". Auckland City FC. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
20. ^ friendsoffootballnz_irqgpj (December 18, 2023). "Auckland City qualify for revamped FIFA Club World Cup to be held in 2025". Friends of Football. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
21. ^ a b c "FIFA Club World Cup 2025: How teams qualify". FIFA. August 19, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
22. ^ "All six continents assured places at expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup". FIFA. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
23. ^ "FIFA Council confirms key details for FIFA Club World Cup 2025". FIFA. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
24. ^ "Club World Cup 2025: How qualification works & list of qualified teams India". Goal.com. December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
25. ^ "Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25™ place in sight for River Plate". FIFA. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
26. ^ a b "Inter Miami CF joins FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ line-up following 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield success". FIFA. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
27. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup 2025 draw set for 5 December in Miami". FIFA. November 11, 2024.
28. ^ a b Evans, Jayda (September 28, 2024). "FIFA announces Lumen Field as Club World Cup 2025 venue". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
29. ^ a b c d "Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025" (PDF). FIFA. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
30. ^ "Inter Miami CF joins FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ line-up following 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield success". FIFA. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
31. ^ Cardenas, Felipe. "FIFA announces 2025 Club World Cup stadiums and cities". The Athletic. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
32. ^ Jones, J. Sam (June 16, 2022). "Your guide to 2026 World Cup stadiums and locations in the US, Mexico and Canada". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
33. ^ McCaskill, Steve (July 16, 2024). "Fifa invites bids for regional rights to expanded Club World Cup". SportsPro. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
34. ^ "FIFA asks for Club World Cup broadcast bids just 11 months before 32-team event launches in US". AP News. July 15, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
35. ^ Crafton, Adam. "FIFA opens up bidding for Club World Cup media rights". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
36. ^ "Low financial incentives and lack of broadcast partner plaguing FIFA Club World Cup". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. June 21, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
37. ^ Crafton, Adam (September 19, 2024). "Infantino calls emergency meeting with broadcasters over lack of FIFA Club World Cup deal". The New York Times.
38. ^ "FIFA unveils emblem and audio signature for new FIFA Club World Cup". FIFA. September 4, 2024.
39. ^ "FIFA unveil Club World Cup logo and official audio with help from DJ Khaled". as.com. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
40. ^ Robson, James (November 14, 2024). "FIFA unveils NASA-inspired golden Club World Cup trophy created with Tiffany & Co". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
41. ^ "Innovative FIFA Club World Cup Trophy unveiled ahead of new tournament in 2025". FIFA. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
42. ^ "FIFA and adidas extend partnership until 2030". FIFA. November 21, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
43. ^ "Aramco and FIFA announce global partnership". FIFA. April 25, 2024. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
44. ^ Matthews, Sam (November 22, 2005). "Coca-Cola renews Fifa football sponsorship until 2022". Campaign. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
45. ^ "Hyundai and Kia renew FIFA partnerships until 2030, with Boston Dynamics and Supernal to showcase future mobility solutions". FIFA. May 25, 2023. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
46. ^ "Lenovo named Official FIFA Technology Partner". FIFA. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
47. ^ "FIFA renews longstanding partnership with Qatar Airways, extending through to 2030". FIFA. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
48. ^ "FIFA extends global partnership with Visa, including FIFA World Cup 2026". inside.fifa.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.[permanent dead link‍]
49. ^ "AB InBev named Official Beer Partner of FIFA Club World Cup 25™". FIFA. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
50. ^ "Hisense becomes partner for new FIFA Club World Cup". FIFA. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
51. ^ "FIFA announces multi-year agreement with Rock-it Cargo as Official Logistics Provider of FIFA World Cup 26™". FIFA. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
52. ^ Grohmann, Karolos (December 16, 2022). "Club World Cup to feature 32 teams in 2025, says FIFA president Infantino". Reuters. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
53. ^ Olley, James (December 16, 2022). "FIFA to launch new Club World Cup format with 32 teams in 2025". ESPN. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
54. ^ "Spanish league attacks FIFA's plan for bigger Club World Cup". The Washington Post. Associated Press. December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
55. ^ "FIFA accused of prioritising own interests after revealing Club World Cup plans". One Football.com. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
56. ^ a b MacInnes, Paul (May 9, 2024). "Fifa must postpone Club World Cup or face legal action, warns players' union". The Guardian. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
57. ^ "Club World Cup: Why FIFA is facing pushback over US-staged tournament". AP News. May 9, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
58. ^ "Footballers' union starts legal action against Fifa over Club World Cup". The Guardian. PA Media. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
59. ^ https://apnews.com/article/club-world-cup-player-strike-17f5f3644dfddbec0132445a54bc72eb
60. ^ a b c Crafton, Adam. "One year until the Club World Cup in the United States - what's going on?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
61. ^ "FIFA Council takes key decisions on FIFA Member Associations and upcoming FIFA competitions". Inside FIFA. FIFA. October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
62. ^ "Costa Rica's Alajuelense threatens legal action over Club World Cup spot". ESPN. Associated Press. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
63. ^ a b Bushnell, Henry (October 19, 2024). "FIFA gives Lionel Messi, Inter Miami a spot in 2025 Club World Cup". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
64. ^ "MLS Commissioner Don Garber: 2024 MLS All-Star Game Media Availability Quote Sheet". MLSsoccer.com. July 25, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
65. ^ Cardenas, Felipe (August 30, 2024). "Gerardo Martino targets MLS Supporters' Shield as route into FIFA Club World Cup". The Athletic. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
66. ^ Spiers, Tim (October 20, 2024). "Lionel Messi at the Club World Cup makes sense – but how he got there is ridiculous". The Athletic. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
67. ^ Phillips, Mitch (November 11, 2024). "Club World Cup slot softens the blow of Miami defeat". Reuters. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
68. ^ Becherano, Lizzy (October 4, 2024). "Inter Miami deserves Club World Cup invite – Martino". espn.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Club ranking by confederation – FIFA

* v
* t
* e

FIFA Club World Cup

* Predecessor: Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)
* Related: FIFA Intercontinental Cup (2024)

Tournaments|

* Brazil 2000
* ~~Spain 2001~~
* Japan 2005
* Japan 2006
* Japan 2007
* Japan 2008
* UAE 2009
* UAE 2010
* Japan 2011
* Japan 2012
* Morocco 2013
* Morocco 2014
* Japan 2015
* Japan 2016
* UAE 2017
* UAE 2018
* Qatar 2019
* Qatar 2020
* UAE 2021
* Morocco 2022
* Saudi Arabia 2023
* United States 2025
* TBD 2029

Finals|

* 2000
* ~~2001~~
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2025

Squads|

* 2000
* ~~2001~~
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
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* 2023

Qualification|

* AFC Champions League Elite
* CAF Champions League
* CONCACAF Champions Cup
* Copa Libertadores
* OFC Champions League
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Statistics|

* Awards
* Hat-tricks
* Historical table
* Participants
* Records and statistics
* Winning managers
* World champion clubs

* Category
* Portal
* Multimedia

* v
* t
* e

2025 FIFA Club World Cup stadiums

* Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
* Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
* TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
* Rose Bowl (Los Angeles)
* Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
* Geodis Park (Nashville)
* MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey)
* Camping World Stadium (Orlando)
* Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando)
* Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
* Lumen Field (Seattle)
* Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)

*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points