Everything You Need to Know About the New FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is about to start in just a couple days from now — but what is it really? Taking place in the United States this summer, the tournament will debut featuring 32 of the best club teams from across the globe. Here’s what you need to know about football’s newest global spectacle, that is here to stay for decades.
What is the FIFA Club World Cup?
Originally introduced in 2000 as the Confed Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup aimed to crown the world’s best club playing continental champions against each other. Then, in 2022, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced an expanded 32-team format, seeking to give the competition World Cup-level prestige. Moving forward, FIFA will stage the revamped tournament every four years, mirroring the men’s World Cup with group stages and knockout rounds. After years of flying under the radar, the tournament now prepares for a bold relaunch in the United States in summer 2025—an ambitious move to cement its place as a premier event in world football.
32 Teams Against Each Other
The 32 clubs earned their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup through performances in their respective continental competitions between 2021 and 2024.
UEFA (Europe) leads the way with 12 representatives, selected based on Champions League victories and UEFA rankings. Among them are giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Porto, and Juventus — all clubs that either won major silverware or consistently reached the late stages of the tournament. To fill the remaining spots, UEFA implemented a ranking system that rewarded clubs for deep progression across multiple seasons, ensuring that long-term performance counted as much as single-season success.
CONMEBOL (South America) contributes with 6 teams: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Atlético Paranaense — all selected through Copa Libertadores performances and historical points tallies.
CONCACAF (North and Central America) brings 5 clubs to the table: Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Club América, Club León, and Tigres UANL, based on consistent top-level performances.
From CAF (Africa), the 4 spots are filled by Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Espérance de Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns — all rewarded for regional dominance and deep tournament runs.
AFC (Asia) sends 4 clubs as well: Al Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, chosen based on competitive consistency in the AFC Champions League.
Oceania has 1 representative, Auckland City, the region’s most dominant club and perennial OFC Champions League titleholder.
Every team in the tournament earned their place by either winning their continent’s top club title or collecting enough points between 2021 and 2024. As a result, the lineup showcases the global elite—clubs with rich histories, recent trophies, and strong performances on their home continents.
Two Big Title Favourites
Clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City enter as clear favourites, backed by star-studded squads and strong European pedigrees. In contrast, outsiders like Al Ahly and León will aim to spring surprises against more established opponents. Simultaneously, the tournament kicks off on June 15, 2025, with Al Ahly facing Inter Miami in the opening match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Just under a month later, the action will culminate at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the grand final is set for July 13, 2025. Ultimately, fans around the world will tune in as the Club World Cup looks to redefine club supremacy on a truly global stage.
Ready for more?
Check out the PUMA x KidSuper Drop to discover some of the kits that will be worn by the players in the the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Want to stay updated with more Life After Football exclusive content, behind-the-scenes stories, and lifestyle from beyond the pitch? Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss a moment!
Stay up to date with the latest Club World Cup fixtures, results, and standings on Flashscore.
