The Club World Cup has a new structure. Now known as the FIFA Super Club World Cup, the tournament has been redesigned to be longer and more competitive, similar to the FIFA World Cup for national teams.
The draw has determined the 8 groups and the match schedule. Follow our analysis of the new Club World Cup.
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Index
FIFA Super Club World Cup Format
The new Club World Cup features 32 teams, divided into 8 groups. In the first phase, each team plays 3 matches, and the top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 16, where matches will be played in a knockout format until the final.
Most slots were filled by the winners of continental tournaments (e.g., UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores) between 2021 and 2024. In specific cases, clubs with the best historical performances were selected to complete the lineup.
Number of slots per confederation:
- UEFA (Europe): 12 slots.
- CONMEBOL (South America): 6 slots.
- AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), and CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean): 4 slots each.
- Oceania (OFC): 1 slot.
- Host Nation: 1 slot.
The tournament will be held every four years, replacing the previous annual format.
The 2025 edition will take place between June 15 and July 13, 2025, in the United States.
Group Analysis
The teams were divided into 4 pots, and the groups were formed with 1 team from each pot.
Group A
- Palmeiras (BRA)
- Porto (POR)
- Al-Ahly (EGY)
- Inter Miami (USA)
Palmeiras and Porto share the spotlight as the group’s favorites to advance.
Palmeiras, under Abel Ferreira, has always been very consistent, even though they are likely to finish the year without a major title for the first time since 2019. During this period, they won 2 Copa Libertadores and 2 Brazilian Championships.
Porto, third in the Portuguese Championship in the 2023/24 season, is currently in second place in the league.
Al-Ahly, the largest club in Africa, has a lot of tradition and is a constant presence in the Club World Cup. They are considered the third force in the group and could cause surprises.
Inter Miami, the team of Messi, Suárez, and others, is the weakest in the group due to its fragile defensive system.
Group B
- PSG (FRA)
- Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
- Botafogo (BRA)
- Seattle Sounders (USA)
This is a very balanced group with no clear favorites to advance.
Despite a slight edge for PSG and Atlético de Madrid, Botafogo is the best team in Brazil, having just won the Copa Libertadores and likely to win the national championship. This gives them a solid chance to progress in the Club World Cup.
Seattle Sounders, on the other hand, is undoubtedly the weakest team in Group B.
Group C
- Bayern Munich (GER)
- Auckland City (NZL)
- Boca Juniors (ARG)
- Benfica (POR)
Bayern Munich is the clear favorite to finish first, while Benfica is expected to secure second place.
Boca Juniors are far from the glory days of the early 2000s. Despite reaching the Libertadores final in 2023, they have a squad lacking major stars and are unlikely to have a strong campaign in the Super Club World Cup.
Auckland City is one of the weakest teams in the tournament and is expected to finish at the bottom of the group.
Group D
- Flamengo (BRA)
- Espérance (TUN)
- Chelsea (ENG)
- León (MEX)
Chelsea is the favorite to top the group, as they are finally finding their footing after significant and costly signings.
Flamengo is enjoying a strong end to the season under Filipe Luís, having won the Copa do Brasil and suffering just one loss since the new coach’s arrival. The team has the potential to challenge Chelsea but is likely to finish second in the group.
León, despite having some strong players, and Espérance are unlikely to outshine Flamengo and Chelsea.
Group E
- River Plate (ARG)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
- Monterrey (MEX)
- Inter Milan (ITA)
Inter Milan is the clear favorite to secure the top spot in Group E. Simone Inzaghi’s team is highly organized and plays high-quality football, although it has shown some inconsistency this season.
River Plate, with the return of legendary coach Marcelo Gallardo, is the second-best team in the group but is not in great form.
Monterrey, a regular in the Club World Cup, is making its sixth appearance. Alongside Urawa Reds, they are the weakest teams in the group but could surprise River Plate and snatch a spot.
Group F
- Fluminense (BRA)
- Borussia Dortmund (GER)
- Ulsan Hyundai (KOR)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Group F is considered the weakest in the 2025 Club World Cup, with Borussia Dortmund being by far the strongest team and almost certain to top the group.
Fluminense, despite winning the Libertadores in 2023, faces relegation in the Brazilian league with just one round left. Nevertheless, they are still more competitive than Ulsan and Mamelodi Sundowns and are likely to finish second.
Group G
- Manchester City (ENG)
- Wydad (MAR)
- Al Ain (UAE)
- Juventus (ITA)
Despite a poor stretch of form, with just 1 win in their last 8 games, Manchester City is the best team in the group and likely the strongest in the tournament, making them favorites to finish first.
Juventus, undergoing a rebuilding process under Thiago Motta, is the second-strongest team.
Al Ain, the current AFC Champions League winner, ended Al-Hilal’s 34-match winning streak last season. Under coach Leonardo Jardim, they could surprise and steal Juventus’ spot.
Wydad is the weakest team in the group and is expected to finish last.
Group H
- Real Madrid (ESP)
- Al-Hilal (KSA)
- Pachuca (MEX)
- Salzburg (AUT)
Real Madrid, the current Champions League winners, is struggling this season but remains the best team in the group.
Al-Hilal, featuring several global stars, is expected to finish second but could also challenge for the top spot.
Pachuca and Salzburg are not weak teams, but they are significantly behind their rivals in this group and are unlikely to advance.
Written by Henry Miller.
