Who are the favourites for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup? Qualified team list, groups and winner odds
Some of the world’s biggest clubs will descend on American soil this summer, with plenty of star-studded squads on show. While the favourites will inevitably hog the pre-tournament headlines, several dark horses will attempt to upset the apple cart this summer. There’s also the possibility of a fairytale story unfolding, with a handful of underdogs hoping to punch above their weight.
Over the course of 30 days, 32 teams from six confederations will contest 63 matches to determine the 2025 Club World Cup champion. The participant roster includes footballing royalty such as 15-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid, Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, but also includes plucky minnows Auckland City and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In this article we provide confirmation of the group stage line-up, how the participants qualified for the tournament, a comprehensive match schedule, and a review of the teams expected to challenge for the trophy. We’ll also look back n the outcomes of previous tournaments, focusing on the winners and record-breakers that have helped to shape the history of this prestigious competition.
Club World Cup 2025: Fixtures • Teams and Groups • Where to watch • Stadiums • Trophy and prize money
Which teams have qualified for the Club World Cup 2025?
Each FIFA-affiliated confederation received a specific number of Club World Cup slots, with some receiving considerably more than others as a consequence of their relative strength. All but one of the 32 participating teams qualified by virtue of winning a continental championship or accumulating the required number of coefficient points. Inter Miami are the only entrants to qualify via an alternative pathway, with the ‘hosts’ earning their place in the competition by lifting the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
We’ve provided a breakdown of the teams competing at the 2025 Club World Cup, highlighting the confederations and domestic associations they represent:
UEFA (12 slots)
Manchester City (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Chelsea (England), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Inter Milan (Italy), Porto (Portugal), Atlético Madrid (Spain), Benfica (Portugal), Juventus (Italy), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
CONMEBOL (6 slots)
Flamengo (Brazil), Palmeiras (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina), Fluminense (Brazil), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Botafogo (Brazil)
CONCACAF (4 slots + hosts Inter Miami)
Monterrey (Mexico), Club León (Mexico), Pachuca (Mexico) Seattle Sounders (USA), Inter Miami (USA)
AFC (4 slots)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Ulsan HD (South Korea), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
CAF (4 slots)
Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad AC (Morocco), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
OFC (1 slot)
Auckland City (New Zealand)
How does Club World Cup 2025 qualification work?
Each of the 32 participating teams (with the exception of hosts Inter Miami) qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup via two distinct pathways. Clubs that have won their respective confederation’s premier club competition within the past four seasons received an instant berth, while the remaining places were allocated based on progressive coefficient points over the course of the same timeframe. Although the allocation systems differ slightly between UEFA and the other five confederations, all coefficient points are index-linked to performance in premier continental club competitions.
As all continental competition winners were automatically given a place, the volume of teams qualifying via the coefficient ranking pathway was dependent on how many different teams had been crowned confederation champions over the previous four seasons. For example, all four North American clubs qualified for the tournament as a result of winning one of the previous four CONCACAF Champions Cups. Had any of these teams defended their title within this period, the ranking pathway would have been opened up for the club with the highest number of continental coefficient points.
The rules dictate that only two clubs from any one national association can qualify, however, an exception is made if a country produces multiple premier continental champions. For example, each of the last four instalments of the South American CONMEBOL Libertadores has been won by a Brazilian club, and therefore the CBF has four representatives. Conversely, despite having a handful of teams in the upper echelons of the UEFA rankings, the English FA have only received two invites – sent to UEFA Champions League winners Manchester City and Chelsea.
Who misses out?
Given the nature of the competition’s qualification criteria and FIFA’s desire to promote geographical inclusivity, several of the world’s biggest clubs won’t be in attendance this summer. Amongst those missing out will be five-time UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona, 2019 Club World Cup winners Liverpool, Premier League title challengers Arsenal, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Seeded groups: how did the draw for this year turn out?
The opening phase of the competition consists of a round-robin group stage, with all 32 teams involved from the start. This differs from previous Club World Cup editions, where the highest-ranked clubs would enter the competition at a later point.
The participants were seeded ahead of last December’s draw, as FIFA aimed to maintain a ‘competitive balance’ and establish ‘geographical diversity’ in each group. Each team was allocated to one of the four pots, with the strongest teams placed in pot one.
Due to the disproportionate number of UEFA-affiliated clubs, there is more than one European representative in several groups. No other confederation has more than one member in any one group.
The 32 teams were divided into eight even groups, with the top two teams from each pool progressing to the knockout rounds. The official draw for the 2025 Club World Cup was made in Miami last December, with the outcome as follows (qualification pathway in brackets):
Group A: Palmeiras (2021 CONMEBOL Libertadores winners), Porto (UEFA ranking pathway), Al Ahly (2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24 CAF Champions League winners), Inter Miami (hosts/winners of 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA ranking pathway), Atlético de Madrid (UEFA ranking pathway), Botafogo (2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores winners), Seattle Sounders (2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners)
Group C: Bayern Munich (UEFA ranking pathway) Auckland City (OFC ranking pathway), Boca Juniors (CONMEBOL ranking pathway), Benfica (UEFA ranking pathway)
Group D: Flamengo (2022 CONMEBOL Libertadores winners), Espérance de Tunis (CAF ranking pathway), Chelsea (2020/21 UEFA Champions League winners), Club León (2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners)
Group E: River Plate (CONMEBOL ranking pathway), Urawa Red Diamonds (2022 AFC Champions League winners), Monterrey (2021 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners), Inter Milan (UEFA ranking pathway)
Group F: Fluminense (2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores winners), Borussia Dortmund (UEFA ranking pathway), Ulsan HD (AFC ranking pathway), Mamelodi Sundowns (CAF ranking pathway)
Group G: Manchester City (2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners), Wydad AC (2021/22 CAF Champions League winners), Al Ain (2023/24 AFC Champions League winners), Juventus (UEFA ranking pathway)
Group H: Real Madrid (2021/22 and 2023/24 UEFA Champions League winners), Al Hilal (2021 AFC Champions League winners), Pachuca (2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup), Red Bull Salzburg (UEFA ranking pathway)
Check the full Club World Cup 2025 standings on Flashscore.
Who are the favourites to win the 2025 Club World Cup? Winner odds and predictions
Given the volume of elite clubs participating in this year’s competition, plenty of teams have realistic ambitions of emerging triumphant this summer. We check out the bookies' favourites:
Manchester City
Although Pep Guardiola’s Mancunian empire is seemingly beginning to crumble, Manchester City are one of the favourites. The Citizens earned their ticket to the U.S. almost two years ago, overcoming Italian giants Inter Milan in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final to secure a first piece of European silverware in over five decades.
To win: 7/2 (favourites)
Real Madrid
Reigning world champions since December 2024 in the last tournament under the new format (3-0 v Pachuca), Real Madrid will be keen to remain the king. Los Blancos have struggled to maintain a level of consistency this season, having dropped too many points in La Liga and suffered three defeats in the opening phase of the UEFA Champions League.
However, Ancelotti’s men usually come good at the business end of the season, so don’t be surprised if further success is just around the corner. Just take it up with Manchester City, whom they knocked out of the Champions once again.
To win: 4/1
Bayern Munich’s first two appearances in the Club World Cup could hardly have gone any better; eight goals, four clean sheets, and two trophies heading safely back to Bavaria. Die Roten have consistently reached the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League over recent seasons, and are therefore good value for their place in this year’s tournament.
On track to re-capture their Bundesliga title from Xabi Alonso’s talented Bayer Leverkusen outfit, can Bayern Munich win at home and abroad this summer?
To win: 7/1
FIFA 2025 Club World Cup – schedule
The full match schedule is below:
Group stage fixtures
Tournament opener: Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, Saturday 14th June, 8.00pm ET)
Matchday 1: Saturday 14th June – Wednesday 18th June
Matchday 2: Thursday 19th June – Sunday 22nd June
Matchday 3: Monday 23rd June – Thursday 26th June
Knockout stage fixtures
Round of 16: Saturday 28th June – Tuesday 1st July
Quarter-finals: Friday 4th July – Saturday 5th July
Semi-finals: Tuesday 8th July – Wednesday 9th July
Final: Sunday 13th July (MetLife Stadium, 3.00pm ET)
Check the full Club World Cup 2025 fixture list on Flashscore.
Who are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history?
Only representatives from two confederations have ever won the FIFA Club World Cup, with UEFA contributing a staggering 16 champions overall. However, the first edition of the pan-continental competition produced a CONMEBOL-affiliated winner, with Brazilian outfit Corinthians coming out on top.
Real Madrid are the most successful team in the Club World Cup’s 25-year history, earning the latest of their five titles in 2022. Familiar foes Barcelona have won the competition on three occasions, ensuring Spain rules the roost.
After easing beyond Urawa Red Diamonds in a one-sided semi-final clash, Manchester City acquired a maiden international crown by hammering Fluminense in the 2023 Club World Cup final. Having broken the deadlock inside the opening minute, Argentinian forward Julián Alvarez added to his tally in the closing stages to help City secure a 4-0 victory at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Past finals
2024: Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca (Lusail Stadium)
2023: Manchester City 4-0 Fluminense (King Abdullah Sports City Stadium)
2022: Real Madrid 5-3 Al Hilal (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat)
2021: Chelsea 2-1 Palmeiras (AET – Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
2020: Bayern Munich 1-0 UANL Tigres (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)
2019: Liverpool 1-0 Flamengo (AET – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha)
2018: Real Madrid 4-1 Al Ain (Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
2017: Real Madrid 1-0 Grêmio (Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
2016: Real Madrid 4-2 Kashima Antlers (AET – International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2015: Barcelona 3-0 River Plate (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2014: Real Madrid 2-0 San Lorenzo de Almagro (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2013: Bayern Munich 2-0 Raja Casablanca (Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh)
2012: Corinthians 1-0 Chelsea (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2011: Barcelona 4-0 Santos (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2010: Inter Milan 3-0 TP Mazembe (Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
2009: Barcelona 2-1 Estudiantes (AET – Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
2008: Manchester United 1-0 LDU Quito (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2007: Milan 4-2 Boca Juniors (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2006: Internacional 1-0 Barcelona (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2005: São Paulo 1-0 Liverpool (International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama)
2000: Corinthians 0-0 Vasco da Gama (Corinthians win 4-3 on penalties – Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)