FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Revamped Tournament Brings Top Teams Like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid to the US
Image credits: Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images
Tournament Format and Schedule
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 teams, divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the round of 16, and then a single-match knockout stage to determine the champion. The tournament will take place from June 15 to July 13, with the final being held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. * The groups are as follows: + Group A: Porto, Palmeiras, Al Ahly, Inter Miami + Group B: PSG, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders + Group C: Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, Benfica, Auckland + Group D: Chelsea, Flamengo, Esperance Tunis, Club Leon + Group E: Inter, River Plate, Urawa Reds, Monterrey + Group F: Dortmund, Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns, Ulsan + Group G: Manchester City, Juventus, Al Ain, Wydad + Group H: Salzburg, Real Madrid, Pachuca, Al Hilal The teams were drawn into four pots to ensure competitive balance and geographical diversity.
Teams and Qualification
The teams qualified for the tournament through a ranking pathway based on performances over a four-year period or by winning continental titles between 2021 and 2024. Notable teams missing from the tournament include Barcelona, Arsenal, and Liverpool, while Inter Miami CF qualified as the host country representative team by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield. * The qualification process was as follows: + 31 teams qualified through the ranking pathway or by winning continental titles + 1 team qualified as the host country representative
Broadcasting and Prize Money
The tournament will be broadcast on DAZN and TNT Sports, with all 63 matches available to watch for free on DAZN.com. The $1 billion prize fund will be distributed among the participating teams, with a "solidarity" pot for clubs outside the competition also introduced. * The broadcasting rights were sold to DAZN for around $1 billion * The prize money will be distributed as follows: + A portion will go to the participating teams + A portion will go to the "solidarity" pot for clubs outside the competition
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