Complete Guide to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Teams, Fixtures, and Venues

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to be the most ambitious edition in the tournament’s history. With a new format, an expanded lineup of elite teams from across the globe, and a fresh calendar placement, fans can expect a month-long festival of world-class football. Here’s your complete guide to the teams, fixtures, venues, and everything else you need to know ahead of kickoff.

What is the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

The 2025 edition marks the first major overhaul of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, transitioning from a seven-team knockout format to a 32-team tournament similar to the FIFA World Cup. Scheduled to take place in the United States from June to July 2025, it will bring together the best club teams from all six confederations for a true global showdown.

Qualified Teams for the 2025 Club World Cup

As of now, several teams have already secured their spots through continental competitions or rankings. Here's a look at some of the confirmed clubs, categorized by confederation:

UEFA (Europe)

Manchester City (England) – 2022–23 UEFA Champions League winners
Real Madrid (Spain) – 2021–22 UEFA Champions League winners
Chelsea (England) – 2020–21 UEFA Champions League winners
Bayern Munich (Germany) – UEFA top-ranked club slot

CONMEBOL (South America)

Flamengo (Brazil) – 2022 Copa Libertadores winners
Palmeiras (Brazil) – 2021 Copa Libertadores winners
River Plate (Argentina) – 2023 Copa Libertadores winners
One spot TBD via ranking or continental performance

AFC (Asia)

Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 2021 AFC Champions League winners
Additional qualifiers to be confirmed based on 2022–2024 results

CAF (Africa)

Al Ahly (Egypt) – 2020–21 CAF Champions League winners
More clubs to qualify in upcoming CAF tournaments

CONCACAF (North and Central America)

Monterrey (Mexico) – 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Seattle Sounders (USA) – 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Additional qualifiers from 2023–2024

OFC (Oceania)

One club will qualify based on OFC rankings or future Champions League success

Host Nation (USA)

MLS Champion (TBD) – One automatic slot will go to the reigning MLS champion or the best-performing club

Club World Cup 2025 Format

The tournament will feature:

32 teams
8 groups of 4 teams
Top 2 from each group advance to the Round of 16
Single-elimination knockout rounds through to the final

This structure ensures more matches, more global exposure, and higher stakes for every participating club.

Fixtures and Match Schedule

While the full fixture list will be announced by FIFA closer to the tournament, the provisional timeline is as follows:

Group Stage: Early to mid-June 2025
Round of 16: Late June
Quarterfinals and Semifinals: Late June to early July
Final: Mid-July 2025

FIFA has promised a balanced schedule to accommodate club rest periods while maximizing prime-time broadcast windows.

2025 Club World Cup Venues in the USA

FIFA will use major U.S. cities to host the tournament, many of which are also slated for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These include:

New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Seattle (Lumen Field)
Houston (NRG Stadium)
San Francisco (Levi’s Stadium)

These world-class venues are fully equipped to handle the logistical demands of an expanded tournament and the international fan influx.

Why the 2025 Club World Cup Matters

This isn’t just a warm-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s a standalone spectacle that FIFA hopes will elevate club football on a global scale, offering a platform for clubs outside of Europe to prove their mettle. It also gives fans a rare chance to see South American, Asian, African, and North American clubs compete against Europe’s elite in a meaningful competition.

Final Thoughts

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark event in global football. With a deeper field, expanded format, and unprecedented media attention, it has the potential to shift the narrative around club dominance worldwide.

Stay tuned for fixture announcements, ticket sales, and exclusive coverage as we get closer to kickoff.