1 week ago
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Multiple contributors
Jun 13, 2025, 10:25 AM ET
After months of hype, pomp and circumstance, it's yet here! The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks disconnected this play crossed the U.S., with the opener connected Saturday nighttime successful Miami arsenic Inter Miami CF big Al Ahly to get things underway. The 10-day transportation model designed to assistance CWC participants unit up for enactment has closed, with respective caller stars acceptable to debut for Real Madrid (Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Hujisen), Manchester City (Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki) and Chelsea (Liam Delap), and the enactment comes heavy and fast, with 63 games implicit the adjacent month.
While the tract is loaded with European superpowers similar Madrid, City, Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan, each the world's apical clubs connected different continents are besides taking part, from Argentinian duo Boca Juniors and River Plate to Brazil's Botafogo, winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, and Al Ahly, the 10-time Club World Cup participants from Egypt.
So, up of the action, see this your useful usher to each the teams, however they got here, and what we deliberation we'll bash successful this competition.
GROUP A
Al Ahly
Where they play: Egyptian Premier League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of 2020-21 CAF Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? As 12-time African champions and CAF's African Club of the 20th Century, Al Ahly are utilized to being the "big fish" successful Egypt and Africa. They spell into each tourney aiming for silverware. They person astir 120 years of history, however, the hard realities of endowment and resources mean they mightiness conflict successful reaching the tournament's knockout rounds.
Though they mightiness not person the idiosyncratic endowment of Palmeiras' Estevao, FC Porto's Samu Aghehowa, oregon (of course) Inter Miami's Lionel Messi successful Group A, they person extended acquisition navigating large tournaments, and Zizo, Mahmoud Trézéguet and Achraf Bencharki should let them to battalion a punch. Incoming caput manager Jose Riveiro, who made South African giants Orlando Pirates competitory again with an charismatic front-foot style, has identified a berth successful the circular of 16 arsenic Al Ahly's tourney objective.
0:59
Al Ahly manager: Not imaginable to hole for Messi astatine Club World Cup
Al Ahly manager José Riveiro speaks astir his excitement for the Club World Cup up of facing Inter Miami successful the radical stage.
Fun information you request to know: Ahly were erstwhile a beardown section awesome of absorption against the British during the colonization of Egypt. A period later, the club's supporters, the Ultras Ahlawy, played a relation successful the escalation of the Egyptian gyration and notably, the Tahrir Square demonstrations that led to the extremity of President Hosni Mubarak's reign.
Our prediction: If Ahly tin play spoilers erstwhile they look Inter Miami and Lionel Messi successful Florida successful the tourney opener Saturday night, it could acceptable them up for astonishment progression to the knockouts. Porto and Palmeiras -- 4th successful the Brasileirao -- aren't the strongest opponents, but Ahly stay outsiders to advance. -- Ed Dove
Inter Miami CF
Where they play: Major League Soccer (USA)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: "Hosts," and winners of 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield
What is their Club World Cup goal? Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas acceptable the extremity for Inter Miami astatine the Club World Cup: suffice for the knockout rounds. If they tin propulsion it off, the tourney could beryllium a occurrence for ownership. Coach Javier Mascherano is opting for a much realistic approach, admitting the level they are acceptable to look astatine the Club World Cup volition beryllium higher than immoderate Concacaf Champions Cup oregon MLS game.
Mascherano insists the roster extent is not wherever it should beryllium entering the tournament, but the squad volition combat successful each game. Expectations are precocious for immoderate squad with Messi, but the people for Inter Miami volition beryllium to suffice for the knockout rounds.
Fun information you request to know: Inter Miami is the youngest squad to vie successful the tourney aft debuting successful Major League Soccer during the 2020 season.
Our prediction: Inter Miami volition combat to decorativeness the radical signifier successful 2nd spot and suffice for the knockout rounds. The lucifer against Palmeiras mightiness beryllium the biggest struggle, though you'd beryllium foolish to stake against Messi and Luis Suárez successful tourney play. -- Lizzy Becherano
Palmeiras
Where they play: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2021 Copa Libertadores
What is their Club World Cup goal? Fans of rival clubs often taunt Palmeiras astir ne'er winning the Intercontinental title, which is often compared with a satellite title successful South America. This caller tourney is an perfect accidental to soundlessness the critics.
However it goes, Palmeiras volition not neglect for a deficiency of ambition oregon intelligence. Portuguese manager Abel Ferreira reminds immoderate of a young Jose Mourinho successful presumption of touchline tactics and, much importantly, coming up with a winning plan. Recognizing the value of the occasion, the nine has fixed him plentifulness of attacking players. Striker Vitor Roque is the astir costly subordinate a Brazilian nine has ever signed, Uruguayan playmaker Facundo Torres is from MLS, and wunderkind Estevao volition articulation Chelsea aft the competition. Palmeiras are dreaming of going each the way.
Fun information you request to know: The nine of São Paulo's ample Italian community, Palmeiras were primitively called "Palestra Italia." After World War II, they took connected the much tropical sanction of "palm trees."
Our prediction: With Palmeiras boasting a beardown squad and a agleam coach, it would beryllium unwise to place them. A cardinal question: Will Ferreira beryllium excessively cautious successful the choky games? Anything little than the quarterfinals would beryllium a large disappointment. -- Tim Vickery
Porto
Where they play: Portuguese Primeira Liga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Fifth-best-ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? FC Porto finished 3rd successful the Primeira Liga for the 2nd consecutive season, which is simply a disaster. Not lone does that mean mislaid Champions League gross for 24 months, but immoderate twelvemonth they decorativeness past among the trio of competitors that besides includes Benfica and Sporting CP is simply a problem. They'll apt spot this tourney arsenic an accidental for redemption. "You tin expect a assured and beardown FC Porto," midfielder Fabio Vieira said this week. "We spot it arsenic a accidental to adjacent the play successful the champion imaginable way."
Vieira is connected indebtedness from Arsenal but has had his declaration extended into July to play the full tournament, if required, positive the nine has signed Gabri Veiga from Al Ahli for €15 cardinal successful clip to beryllium registered. These movements backmost up the thought that the Dragões are successful it to triumph it.
Fun information you request to know: Porto's fearsome stadium, the Dragão, was built arsenic portion of Portugal's bid to big Euro 2004. It opened successful 2003 with an inaugural lucifer against Barcelona, successful which Lionel Messi made his archetypal appearance.
Our prediction: Porto landed successful Group A and volition judge they tin triumph it; beating Palmeiras, Inter Miami and Al Ahly is simply a realistic goal. However, the likelihood of moving into PSG oregon Atlético Madrid successful the circular of 16 means they mightiness not get overmuch further. -- Sam Tighe
GROUP B
Atletico Madrid
Where they play: Spanish LaLiga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Sixth-best ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Being astatine this tourney is important for Atletico. They're present -- qualifying based connected accordant Champions League performances since 2021 -- alongside Real Madrid, and Barcelona aren't, and that means something. And conscionable similar Real Madrid, they're looking to marque up for a disappointing extremity to the season, erstwhile their LaLiga rubric situation slipped distant aft being controversially eliminated from the UCL by their section rivals.
Atletico don't person immoderate breathtaking caller signings to amusement off, but they bash person immoderate players, similar Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sorloth, who ended the play successful sensational form. (Sorloth scored 7 goals successful his past 4 LaLiga games, yet earning a spot successful the starting XI). Atletico's radical isn't straightforward, though they did -- someway -- bushed PSG erstwhile they met backmost successful November. Here, they'll expect to scope the knockout stage, and spot what happens from there.
1:57
Are Atletico Madrid superior Club World Cup contenders?
The Football Reporters' Alex Kirkland believes Atletico Madrid are superior contenders to triumph the FIFA Club World Cup owed to the existent signifier of Julian Alvarez.
Fun information you request to know: Diego Simeone is the longest-serving manager successful LaLiga, having been successful complaint of Atletico since December 2011. He's their astir palmy manager ever, too, with 8 trophies successful that time.
Our prediction: They'll advancement from the group, and triumph their circular of 16 crippled too. But the quarterfinals -- wherever they could conscionable Bayern Munich oregon Chelsea -- mightiness beryllium a measurement excessively far. -- Alex Kirkland
Botafogo
Where they play: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores
What is their Club World Cup goal? Bankrolled by U.S. businessman John Textor, Botafogo of Rio de Janeiro are the reigning champions of Brazil and of South America. But that was past year, and respective captious players person moved connected since then. More -- successful peculiar Igor Jesus, their fantastic centerforward -- volition beryllium moving connected aft the Club World Cup. The 2025 squad does not look arsenic strong, and the nine person battled their mode done an awkward fewer months.
A fewer months agone the extremity for this tourney would person been to combat for the title. No specified claims are being made astatine the moment, though determination is simply a anticipation that Portuguese manager Renato Paiva has recovered a blend that should mean they're competitive. They besides don't deficiency for ambition -- hence Textor's reported attempts to enlistee Cristiano Ronaldo for the tournament.
1:17
Will Igor Jesus proceed his emergence successful the Premier League?
The Football Reporters' Tim Vickery breaks down the unthinkable emergence of Igor Jesus arsenic Nottingham Forest onshore the Brazilian striker.
Fun information you request to know: Botafogo's mascot is simply a achromatic and achromatic canine called Biriba. Back successful the 1950s, the nine president utilized to transportation the carnal into the stadium, and propulsion him onto the transportation erstwhile the squad were looking to termination time.
Our prediction: Up against caller European champions Paris Saint-Germain and Simeone's Atletico Madrid, Botafogo volition bash good to get retired of the group, and connected this year's form, it's hard to spot them getting beyond the quarterfinals. -- Tim Vickery
Paris Saint-Germain
Where they play: French Ligue 1
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Second-best ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? To backmost up being crowned champions of Europe by earning the tag of satellite champions. PSG's unthinkable 2nd fractional of the season, culminating successful their 5-0 demolition of Inter successful the Champions League final, volition heighten the spotlight up of the Club World Cup. If the tourney plays retired arsenic astir expect past a squad from UEFA volition triumph and, currently, PSG are UEFA's champion team.
It was noteworthy that instantly aft the Champions League last successful Munich, the connection from nine president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was that they were heading to the U.S. to win. If they negociate to find the vigor to play successful the aforesaid mode they did successful the Champions League knock-out rounds, there's nary crushed to deliberation they won't.
1:19
Are PSG the favourites for Club World Cup success?
The Football Reporters unit sermon the chances of the Paris Saint Germain winning the FIFA Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: This volition beryllium PSG's archetypal quality astatine the Club World Cup.
Our prediction: Group B is astir apt the toughest with PSG, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders, but arsenic reigning European champions they won't fearfulness anyone. Anything little than the semifinals volition beryllium a disappointment. -- Rob Dawson
Seattle Sounders FC
Where they play: Major League Soccer (USA)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? Simply put: To not embarrass themselves. That mightiness look similar an exceptionally debased bar, but erstwhile you see that their easiest opponents successful the radical signifier are Botafogo --- the existent title-holders of the Copa Libertadores --- nary squad has a much hard acceptable of opening matches than the Seattle Sounders.
Sure, they'll person an borderline successful location tract advantage, and we besides shouldn't regularisation retired a imaginable game-defining infinitesimal oregon 2 from playmaker/goalscorer Albert Rusnák, but the ambitions present volition beryllium to look competitory and debar one-sided defeats.
0:45
Schmetzer: Seattle Sounders not acrophobic of CWC 'group of death'
Seattle Sounders' Brian Schmetzer speaks astir being successful a radical with PSG and Atletico Madrid astatine the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: The archetypal brace of brothers to not lone suit up successful an MLS lucifer for the Sounders, but besides for MLS' All-Star team? That's the Roldan brothers, Alex and Cristian, who besides correspond abstracted nationalist teams (El Salvador, U.S., respectively).
Our prediction: They'll execute their extremity of not getting thrashed astatine home, but it's hard to spot them surviving beyond the radical signifier --- particularly with the added setback of ongoing wounded worries for cardinal players. -- Cesar Hernandez
GROUP C
Auckland City
Where they play: New Zealand's Northern League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Best OFC Champions League winners successful the OFC four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Given their presumption arsenic powerhouses of Oceania, Auckland City person really qualified for the Club World Cup connected 12 erstwhile occasions but plentifulness of those appearances person seen them autumn successful the playoffs adjacent earlier the quarterfinals -- though they did scope the past 4 successful 2014. They volition simply beryllium looking to springiness a affirmative relationship of themselves, arsenic good arsenic New Zealand and Oceania football, and volition lone summation from the acquisition of taking connected teams similar Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors.
Fun information you request to know: Auckland City volition beryllium the lone amateur outfit astatine the tournament, with their players moving time jobs and grooming conscionable 3 to 4 times a week during the regular season.
Our prediction: The likelihood are stacked firmly against them but they truly person thing to lose. Three David vs. Goliath battles prevarication up and determination volition decidedly beryllium nary shortage of neutral rooting for their endearing underdog story. -- Gabriel Tan
Bayern Munich
Where they play: German Bundesliga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Best ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Like astir of the large UEFA teams, Bayern Munich are present to win. Having won backmost the Bundesliga rubric from Bayer Leverkusen, the extremity volition beryllium to amusement everyone that they stay among the champion teams successful the world. Regular quarterfinalists successful the Champions League and with 1 of the strongest squads successful the tournament, Vincent Kompany and his squad volition fancy their chances of getting to the second rounds. Once there, conscionable similar successful the Champions League, thing tin happen.
1:42
Muller: I'm present to triumph the Club World Cup
Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller says he's "in it to triumph it" up of his side's archetypal lucifer against Auckland City successful the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: No squad successful Europe's top-five leagues person won much consecutive home titles than Bayern's 11 successful a enactment betwixt 2013 and 2023.
Our prediction: Bayern should triumph Group C with ease. Their imaginable quarterfinal hostile volition travel from Group B -- either PSG oregon Atletico -- which could extremity up being their archetypal superior trial of their tournament. -- Rob Dawson
Benfica
Where they play: Portuguese Primeira Liga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Seventh-best ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? For the 2nd twelvemonth successful a row, Benfica mislaid the Portuguese rubric contention to fierce cross-city rivals Sporting CP. Agonisingly, the spread betwixt the 2 clubs was conscionable 2 points successful the end. As such, the Club World Cup volition present service arsenic the perfect distraction for The Eagles, who tin enactment home disappointment down them rapidly with a beardown showing connected the planetary stage. They've managed to support Real Madrid people Álvaro Carreras for astatine slightest the duration of this tournament, and who knows? Perhaps immoderate bully performances volition heighten immoderate eventual transportation fee.
Fun information you request to know: In February 2025, Benfica deed the 400,000 people for "socios" (members), the archetypal sports nine successful the satellite to scope specified a milestone.
Our prediction: Benfica were drawn into Group C alongside Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Auckland City, which mightiness conscionable beryllium the astir absorbing clump of teams this contention has. Boca airs a superior menace to the presumption The Eagles volition decorativeness 2nd down Bayern, and if they bash stave disconnected that threat, it lone gets tougher from there. -- Sam Tighe
Boca Juniors
Where they play: Argentina's Primera Division
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Second-best ranked eligible squad successful the CONMEBOL four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Thousands turned up to spot them disconnected astatine the airdrome up of this competition, but the fans were determination much successful anticipation than expectation. These are not bully times for the Buenos Aires giants, who suffered a humiliating exit successful the qualifying rounds of this year's Copa Libertadores.
Star antheral Edinson Cavani has been struggling for signifier and the squad seems abbreviated of quality. On the eve of the competition, they brought backmost seasoned manager Miguel Angel Russo, who took them to their past Libertadores triumph each the mode backmost successful 2007. He is thrown consecutive into the heavy extremity arsenic Boca's opening 2 matches are against European opponents. The aim, then, volition beryllium to effort to guarantee that Boca are inactive live successful the contention erstwhile they conscionable Auckland City successful the past radical game, and instrumentality it from there, trusting that tone and committedness tin transportation them along.
1:16
Cavani: Messi and Suarez 'awakened something' wrong American fans
Boca Juniors guardant Edison Cavani says Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez person had a large interaction connected the athletics successful the US.
Fun information you request to know: Legend has it that successful 1907, a caller method was employed to determine the club's colours. It each depended connected the adjacent vessel to look connected the Buenos Aires waterfront, which happened to beryllium from Sweden -- which is wherefore Boca deterioration bluish and yellow.
Our prediction: Unless Russo tin enactment miracles, it's hard to spot however a squad which has been underperforming astatine location tin perchance instrumentality connected the world. Making it retired of the radical would beryllium a triumph. -- Tim Vickery
GROUP D
Chelsea
Where they play: English Premier League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? For Chelsea, this tourney is each astir momentum. At 1 signifier past play they were considered genuine (though tentative) rubric challengers, lone to autumn distant during a mediocre spell successful the mediate of the campaign. It led to questions astir manager Enzo Maresca's job, but Chelsea recovered to decorativeness powerfully to suffice for the Champions League and triumph the UEFA Conference League.
Maresca volition privation to physique connected the feel-good origin successful the U.S. and enactment himself successful a presumption to instrumentality different measurement guardant adjacent season. Chelsea are astir apt extracurricular the radical of UEFA teams who volition consciousness they've got a accidental to triumph it, but that doesn't mean they can't person a affirmative experience.
1:44
Is Chelsea's Maresca nether unit to present Club World Cup glory?
The "Football Reporters" unit breakdown Chelsea and Enzo Maresca up of the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: Chelsea are the past UEFA squad to suffer a Club World Cup final, beaten 1-0 by Corinthians successful 2012.
Our prediction: As the lone UEFA squad successful Group D they should marque it to the knockout rounds, though Flamengo volition airs a menace with the tourney coming successful the mediate of the Brazilian home season. Making the quarterfinals should beryllium the goal. -- Rob Dawson
Esperance de Tunis
Where they play: Tunisian Ligue Professionelle 1
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Best-ranked eligible squad successful the CAF four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? The 3rd proud, historical North African constitution to suffice for this competition, and 1 backed by legions of passionate and bare supporters, Esperance are approaching the tourney with expectations that mightiness not rather lucifer up with their reality.
Preparation has been strong, notably winning the Tunisian Cup and past succeeding successful retaining nationalist squad players who would person been called up for the June internationals successful bid to dedicate each resources and attraction to their opener against Flamengo. However, this fixture could beryllium a world check, with the Brazilian giants presently starring Serie A and successful good fettle nether Filipe Luis.
The North Africans volition expect to bushed Los Angeles FC, though Chelsea volition beryllium ominous opponents arsenic they get disconnected the backmost of their UEFA Conference League success. Esperance are surely taking this tourney earnestly -- they've adjacent released a caller kit to observe their information -- but volition it beryllium enough?
Fun information you request to know: The young cartoon lad connected the Esperance logo surely gives the nine a unsocial ocular marque identity. His sanction is Oulidha, squad mascot and protagonist #1919 (the twelvemonth of the club's foundation). He's intended to correspond the team's fanbase, and has go a cardinal constituent of Esperance's iconography arsenic they grow their commercialized footprint.
Our prediction: Algeria seasoned Youcef Belaïli and his planetary teammate Mohamed Amine Tougai are good talents, and Esperance won't beryllium swatted speech easily. However, contempt entering the CWC connected the backmost of a home double, this squad isn't the level of the broadside that won back-to-back Champions Leagues successful 2018 and 2019, oregon the treble-winners of 2011, and their opener against specified an in-form and goal-hungry Flamengo broadside whitethorn acceptable the code for an underwhelming campaign. -- Ed Dove
Flamengo
Where they play: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2022 Copa Libertadores
What is their Club World Cup goal? One of the world's biggest clubs, Flamengo are not allowed to deliberation small, particularly since sorting retired their finances a decennary ago. After all, the anthem of the Rio de Janeiro giants declares an ambition to "win, win, win." The fans inactive sing relentlessly of triumph implicit Liverpool successful the Intercontinental Cup last of 1981, and are looking guardant to having thing caller to chant about.
This is much than old-school Flamengo hubris. Promising manager Filipe Luis has a heavy squad astatine his disposal, with plentifulness of options successful wide positions, and the instrumentality from wounded of highly rated centre guardant Pedro to spearhead the attack. The acquisition of erstwhile Premier League midfielder Jorginho should assistance them acceptable moves successful motion.
The nine are besides giving large value to the timing of the tournament; they should beryllium mid-season fresh, portion European opponents volition beryllium dragging weary end-of-season bodies astir the pitch.
1:05
Why Flamengo and Palmeiras could origin upsets astatine the Club World Cup
Tim Vickery explains wherefore Flamengo and Palmeiras are the 2 strongest South American teams astatine the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: Flamengo began beingness arsenic a rowing nine for the Rio elite, taking up shot aboriginal and acquired the fashionable interaction successful the 1930s erstwhile they signed 3 of the starring achromatic players of the day. With vigor carrying their games each implicit Brazil, they built up a giant, nationwide instrumentality base.
Our prediction: There volition beryllium wide disappointment with thing little than a spot successful the semifinals. A cardinal question; fixed an aboriginal pb and space, they tin instrumentality opponents apart, but they person recovered it hard to interruption down obstinate defences, and this could beryllium their undoing. -- Tim Vickery
Los Angeles FC
Where they play: Major League Soccer
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of play-in match, defeating Club Leon connected May 31
What is their Club World Cup goal? Even earlier kicking a shot for the archetypal clip successful their 2018 debut, LAFC haven't been shy astir utilizing the operation "global reach" erstwhile discussing their aspirations. The MLS glamor broadside and 2022 league champions are inactive acold from genuinely achieving that goal, but there's nary uncertainty that they tin marque immoderate noteworthy steps done a knockout circular invitation -- which isn't retired of the question.
Assuming that Chelsea apical the radical and Esperance de Tunis decorativeness bottom, LAFC mightiness beryllium capable to sneak past Flamengo successful the standings acknowledgment to their quality to antagonistic teams successful modulation with the pacey Denis Bouanga starring the charge. On the satellite stage, don't besides number retired immoderate large crippled moments from Hugo Lloris oregon Olivier Giroud, either -- though Giroud is present an enactment disconnected the bench.
0:51
Moreno: LAFC 'fortunate' to beryllium successful Club World Cup
Alejandro Moreno speaks connected LAFC's travel to the Club World Cup and the challenges they volition look successful the tournament.
Fun information you request to know: True to their Tinseltown roots, LAFC recovered inspiration successful the glitzy past of the metropolis erstwhile choosing their colors. "The black-and-gold combo ... has a definite L.A. vibe to it," Larry Freedman, co-preside of LAFC, said to ESPN past year. "Art Deco, Hollywood, gold, achromatic tie, golden trophy, right? It's the Oscars, achromatic necktie and golden trophy."
Our prediction: There volition beryllium nary Hollywood ending. When you see the opponents similar Chelsea and Flamengo, LAFC volition conscionable narrowly miss retired connected the knockout round. -- Cesar Hernandez
GROUP E
Inter Milan
Where they play: Italian Serie A
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Fourth-best-ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? To triumph it. The UEFA Champions League last against PSG mightiness person been a measurement excessively far, but this remains a talented and experienced squad that enters each tourney expecting success. Their acquisition besides adds different furniture to this trophy pursuit due to the fact that for players specified arsenic Francesco Acerbi (37) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (36), the silverware model is closing rapidly. It could beryllium present oregon never.
Inter are 1 of 2 European teams (the different Real Madrid) that volition debut a caller manager astatine the tournament, arsenic Cristian Chivu takes the reins aft Simone Inzaghi's departure to Al Hilal. Will this respire caller aerial into the squad astatine conscionable the close time, oregon propulsion a wrench successful the works?
1:11
Inter's Martinez and Barella can't hold to look Monterrey
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Nico Barella look guardant to their opening clash with Monterrey astatine the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: In 2003, Inter's legendary formed of players, which included Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso and more, recorded an unthinkable rendition of the opus "Pazza Inter Amala." Check retired Hernán Crespo's pipes!
Our prediction: Much volition beryllium connected their strength astatine this signifier of the twelvemonth aft the decision of the 2024-25 season. But connected paper, Inter are 1 of the strongest 8 teams heading to the Club World Cup and should acceptable a minimum purpose of reaching the quarterfinals. But the managerial concern has clouded their preparation, portion River Plate, Monterrey and Urawa Red Diamonds volition beryllium a challenge. The Nerazzurri could beryllium connected upset alert. -- Sam Tighe
Monterrey
Where they play: Liga MX (Mexico)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2021 Concacaf Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? As immoderate of the biggest spenders successful the modern epoch of Mexican soccer, Los Rayados comprehend themselves arsenic 1 of the vanguards of North America who tin marque immoderate sound connected the planetary stage. They've got a roster that includes Sergio Ramos, Lucas Ocampos and Sergio Canales, erstwhile Pep Guardiola adjunct Domenec Torrent arsenic the caller manager, and were erstwhile competitory not excessively agelong agone against Liverpool successful a 2-1 nonaccomplishment successful the semifinal signifier of 2019's (much smaller and wholly different) Club World Cup.
Dark horses? That's the aim, but successful Liga MX, Monterrey are much known for falling abbreviated of occurrence contempt their important fiscal backing. Despite having an awesome roster and an adjacent much awesome world-class stadium, they haven't won a Mexican top-flight rubric this decade. Can Torrent, who was hired successful precocious May, assistance scope their lofty ambitions?
Fun information you request to know: Any instrumentality of the athletics needs to adhd Monterrey's Estadio BBVA to their bucket list. The presumption of the Cerro de la Silla is arguably 1 of the most stunning backdrops successful satellite soccer.
Our prediction: As has been the lawsuit successful the 2020s, each signs constituent to an earlier exit than anticipated. Torrent apt won't person capable clip to debar what could beryllium a tally done conscionable the radical stage. -- Cesar Hernandez
River Plate
Where they play: Argentina's Primera Division
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Best-ranked eligible squad successful the CONMEBOL four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? In 2018, River were the past non-Brazilian winners of the Libertadores. But having recovered it intolerable to get past teams from Brazil and truthful not reclaim their presumption arsenic champions of their continent, however tin they anticipation to conquer the world? It is simply a just point, and 1 River volition effort to drown retired with songs of self-belief.
Manager Marcelo Gallardo's squad has plentifulness of extent successful attacking midfield positions -- including the latest wunderkind Franco Mastantuono, who joins Real Madrid successful August -- and the squad should beryllium casual connected the eyes. But aft Gallardo took implicit precocious past year, his 2nd tenure has not been astir arsenic convincing arsenic his epic 2014 to 2022 archetypal tenure successful charge, and everyone is alert that the squad volition person to amended importantly connected this year's signifier if it is to marque superior headway.
0:41
Vickery: Mastantuono shows signs of a young Zidane
Tim Vickery speaks astir River Plate's Franco Mastantuono up of the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: River began beingness successful the aforesaid working-class docklands country arsenic Boca Juniors, but moved retired to the affluent suburbs and person been based successful their existent location since 1938. Their stadium present boasts the largest capableness successful South America.
Our prediction: On paper, their radical does not look to beryllium 1 of the astir challenging, and they should progress. But past comes the situation that could undermine their campaign: Can they play Gallardo's favored expansive benignant and inactive support against prime opponents? -- Tim Vickery
Urawa Red Diamonds
Where they play: Japan's J1 League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2022 AFC Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? Urawa person a decent grounds successful the tournament, finishing 3rd successful 2007 portion besides reaching the semifinals arsenic precocious arsenic 2023. Unfortunately, a tricky gully hasn't done them immoderate favors, though the Reds person a wont of rising to the juncture adjacent erstwhile they are not astatine their champion connected the home front. Though fewer mightiness beryllium expecting them to spell far, Urawa volition beryllium softly targeting advancement to the knockout round, astatine least.
Fun information you request to know: Before the constitution of the nonrecreational J.League, Urawa -- past known arsenic Mitsubishi Motors -- became the archetypal Japanese nine to execute a home treble successful 1978.
Our prediction: Urawa could beryllium Asia's champion accidental of a squad advancing from the radical stage. On paper, they mightiness beryllium underdogs successful each 3 matches, but they person the prime and acquisition to lucifer River Plate and Monterrey, adjacent if upsetting Inter Milan mightiness beryllium a span excessively far. -- Gabriel Tan
GROUP F
Borussia Dortmund
Where they play: German Bundesliga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Third-best-ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Dortmund reached the Champions League last successful 2024 -- erstwhile they were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid -- but expectations present volition beryllium tempered by an underwhelming home play successful which they finished 4th successful Germany. They finished the run powerfully with six consecutive wins successful each competitions, including notable victories implicit Barcelona successful the Champions League and Bayer Leverkusen successful the Bundesliga. The extremity astatine the Club World Cup volition beryllium to marque it to the knockout rounds, but with an knowing that it volition beryllium pugnacious erstwhile they tally into 1 of the large UEFA teams aboriginal successful the tournament.
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Jobe Bellingham 'delighted' with Dortmund transportation up of Club World Cup
Jobe Bellingham reflects connected his transportation to Borussia Dortmund and looks up to the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: The Yellow Wall astatine their Signal Iduna Park stadium -- with a capableness of astir 25,000 -- is 1 of the astir iconic stands successful satellite football.
Our prediction: They should advancement from Group F, but they mightiness conflict to get beyond the quarterfinals. -- Rob Dawson
Fluminense
Where they play: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores
What is their Club World Cup goal? The venerable aged Rio de Janeiro nine were possibly punching supra their value erstwhile they won their debut Libertadores rubric successful 2023. Living with the aftermath has not been easy, and they fought a prolonged conflict past twelvemonth against relegation to Brazil's 2nd division. This year's coach, nine fable Renato Portaluppi, has steadied the ship, and Fluminense tin caput northbound successful bully spirits.
The contention volition bring successful immoderate much-needed cash, and dissimilar the different Brazilian teams, they transportation nary expectations. And with Thiago Silva to marshal the defense, positive the fantabulous Colombian attacking midfielder Jhon Arias keen to find gaps successful the opposing backmost line, they tin number connected immoderate prime successful their lineup. The main objective, then, is to instrumentality with morale intact and physique immoderate momentum they tin transportation into home football.
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Who is Fluminense's subordinate to ticker astatine the Club World Cup?
Tim Vickery reveals who Fluminense's astir important subordinate is up of the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: Fábio, the club's 44-year-old goalkeeper, is closing successful connected the grounds for the astir nonrecreational games played. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, ex-England keeper Peter Shilton played 1,390 authoritative matches. Fábio is astatine 1,374 and counting.
Our prediction: On paper, Fluminense's radical doesn't travel crossed arsenic 1 of the astir difficult, and truthful they person a bully accidental of escaping. But the quarterfinals would look to beryllium their limit. -- Tim Vickery
Mamelodi Sundowns
Where they play: Betway Premiership (South Africa)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Second-best-ranked eligible squad successful the CAF four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Domestically imperious, arsenic winners of the past 8 PSL titles, Masandawana person struggled to construe that dominance to continental glory. They fared poorly astatine the 2016 Club World Cup, losing to Kashima Antlers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors arsenic they were reminded of South African football's spot successful the planetary order.
Nine years later, and with triumph successful the inaugural African Super Cup, they'll beryllium hoping to beryllium they tin clasp their ain successful a much rarefied environment. As Africa's richest club, backed by CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe and with the fund to bring successful players from South America, Sundowns person outlined their intent to permission unforgettable memories and showcase South African excellence astatine the tournament. Will they conflict to prime themselves up aft losing the Champions League last June 1, oregon volition this nonaccomplishment spur them to marque an interaction successful the U.S.?
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'Sky's the limit' for Motsepe's Mamelodi Sundowns astatine the Club World Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns president Tlhopie Motsepe tells Gab Marcotti astir what helium hopes his broadside tin execute astatine the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: Sundowns person been nicknamed "The Brazilians" since the precocious '80s, erstwhile they changed their kit colors to lucifer the Brazil nationalist team. In the intervening years, their playing benignant has aspired to emulate the "traditional" Selecao style, playing with flair, flamboyance and idiosyncratic expression. Now, finally, they'll get to strut against an existent Brazilian squad erstwhile they look Fluminense successful their last radical game?
Our prediction: Sundowns correspond Africa's champion stake of reaching the knockout stages, fixed a comparatively favorable group. Brazilians Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Arthur Sales, positive Iqraam Rayners and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, volition relish the occasion, though the paucity of their play PSL opponents and deficiency of demanding contention astatine location won't person prepared them for this level. -- Ed Dove
Ulsan HD
Where they play: K League 1 (South Korea)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Best-ranked eligible squad successful the AFC four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Perhaps to get a win. In some of their erstwhile appearances successful 2012 and 2020, Ulsan were eliminated astatine the archetypal hurdle. Given the tournament's caller expanded format, Ulsan are guaranteed to play astatine slightest 3 matches. They volition apt beryllium the underdogs against Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense, truthful possibly it is their opener against Mamelodi Sundowns wherever they should beryllium going each retired for victory.
Fun information you request to know: Ulsan are owned by the shipbuilding and dense instrumentality part of 1 of South Korea's biggest conglomerates, the Hyundai Group. Hence, their erstwhile moniker of Ulsan Hyundai. Along with "sister club" Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, they person combined for the past 8 K League 1 titles.
Our prediction: Ulsan should beryllium aiming for 3 points against Mamelodi. If they tin get a gully against either Dortmund oregon Fluminense, they could scope the knockout round. -- Gabriel Tan
GROUP G
Al Ain
Where they play: UAE Pro League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? Having been drawn alongside European giants Manchester City and Juventus, Al Ain's prospects of a top-two decorativeness successful Group G look bleak. Similar to respective different teams astatine the tournament, their champion anticipation is to get 1 triumph -- with Wydad AC their likeliest chance.
Fun information you request to know: Al Ain made a superb tally to the Club World Cup last successful 2018 earlier suffering a 4-1 decision to Real Madrid. On that occasion, they were competing arsenic the winners of the big nation's home competition, alternatively than arsenic 1 of the continental champions.
Our prediction: Al Ain look to person the toughest gully of each of Asia's representatives. Returning to the United Arab Emirates with 3 points would beryllium a success. -- Ed Dove
Juventus
Where they play: Italian Serie A
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Eighth-best-ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? Concerned they would miss a top-four spot successful Serie A, Juventus fired manager Thiago Motta successful precocious March and appointed Igor Tudor for the run-in. The power worked, arsenic the Old Lady secured Champions League shot acknowledgment to a season-ending unbeaten run. That turnaround generated immoderate momentum, and having secured Tudor's services for the adjacent year, portion besides extending prima guardant Randal Kolo Muani's indebtedness from PSG, they're acceptable to vie hard this summer.
This is astir apt Juve's champion accidental of silverware for the foreseeable future, arsenic they've fallen acold down Serie A's apical level, but they person the tools and tenacity to triumph a abbreviated cupful competition.
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Marcotti prepared to springiness Igor Tudor a accidental to crook Juventus around
Gab Marcotti reacts to Juventus appointing Igor Tudor to pb the Italian broadside astatine the Club World Cup and beyond.
Fun information you request to know: Juventus deterioration achromatic and achromatic arsenic a motion to English fourth-tier nine Notts County. Their archetypal overseas player, Gordon Thomas Savage, took a container afloat of County shirts to Italy successful the aboriginal 1900s, which prompted a power successful colour scheme. When Juve opened their caller stadium successful 2011, they invited Notts County to play the archetypal authoritative crippled determination arsenic a people of respect.
Our prediction: Group G is winnable, and should Juve bash so, a wide way to the quarterfinals astatine slightest emerges. If they decorativeness second, they hazard moving into Real Madrid successful the circular of 16. -- Sam Tighe
Manchester City
Where they play: English Premier League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? Manchester City are present to triumph it, though it mightiness beryllium tough. Pep Guardiola's squad is coming disconnected a hard play and had to limp implicit the enactment to guarantee it finished supra the Champions League cutoff. Guardiola volition besides beryllium utilizing the tourney to settee 4 caller signings. Playmaker Rayan Cherki, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, near backmost Rayan Aït-Nouri and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli person arrived successful FIFA's specially created Club World Cup transportation window, and it volition instrumentality clip for them to recognize the unsocial demands of playing for Pep.
There are plentifulness of reasons City won't triumph it, but the demands stay the same. Whether it's the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup oregon Club World Cup, Guardiola and City expect to triumph oregon get precise close.
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Could Man City beryllium successful for a daze astatine the Club World Cup?
The "Football Reporters" unit lookahead and sermon Manchester City's information successful the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: This is an expanded mentation of the competition, but City are technically the defending champs aft winning successful 2023.
Our prediction: Winning Group G, which besides includes Juventus, volition beryllium key, due to the fact that if they decorativeness second, it could beryllium Real Madrid successful the past 16. If they tin debar the Spanish giants successful the aboriginal knockout rounds, they should scope astatine slightest the semifinals. -- Rob Dawson
Wydad AC
Where they play: Botola Pro (Morocco)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2021-22 CAF Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? The radical gully hasn't been kind. Does immoderate different squad person 2 tougher opening fixtures than Wydad, who indispensable look Manchester City and Juventus successful Philadelphia implicit 4 days? Aiming to beryllium successful contention erstwhile they look Al Ain successful their last fixture appears humble and ambitious, portion immoderate pre-tournament excitement volition beryllium dampened if they're humbled successful their opener against City.
Wydad are bare for the contention aft not playing successful immoderate continental tourney past play -- the archetypal clip this has happened successful a decennary -- and a effect of a sixth-place decorativeness domestically successful 2023-24. This term, they astatine slightest returned to African contention aft finishing 3rd successful the Botola, but they stay a nine successful disarray, battling chronic instability and appearing improbable to upset the likelihood astatine the Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: "Wydad" is an Arabic connection that means relationship oregon enduring love. It was chosen arsenic the club's sanction aft the proposition of 1 of the founding members (Dr. Hajj Abdel Latif Benjelloun Touimi), who arrived precocious for a gathering aft having seen a movie of the aforesaid sanction astatine the cinema. The sanction stuck, and a dynasty was born.
Our prediction: It's hard to marque a lawsuit for Wydad to instrumentality points from their opening matches, and adjacent Al Ain -- who tasted continental glory a twelvemonth agone -- should correspond stern opponents, led by Morocco and ex-Raja Casablanca guardant Soufiane Rahimi. Had the tourney been played successful 2022 aft WAC had won the African Champions League, it could person been a antithetic story, but the 2025 mentation of Wydad is not arriving successful the United States successful bully health. -- Ed Dove
GROUP H
Al Hilal
Where they play: Saudi Pro League
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2021 AFC Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? Considering Al Hilal are the sole representatives of the Saudi Pro League, they volition look to heighten the burgeoning estimation of their home division. It mightiness beryllium casual to constitute disconnected Al Hilal's chances astatine archetypal glance, but fixed they boast João Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrović, Rúben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly, they volition beryllium a pugnacious retired for astir opponents.
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Can Al Hilal triumph the FIFA Club World Cup?
The Football Reporters' Rob Dawson is intrigued to spot what Al Hilal tin bash successful the FIFA Club World Cup.
Fun information you request to know: Having made a managerial change, caller Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi's archetypal authoritative crippled successful complaint volition travel against Real Madrid.
Our prediction: With the apical 2 teams successful each radical advancing, Al Hilal mightiness person been dreaming of a spot successful the knockout round. Nonetheless, Red Bull Salzburg volition airs a important hurdle portion Pachuca are nary pushovers, either. Ultimately, they mightiness person already been wounded by the luck of the draw. -- Gabriel Tan
Real Madrid
Where they play: Spanish LaLiga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League
What is their Club World Cup goal? Madrid privation to triumph it. That's their purpose successful each competition, but there's truthful overmuch astatine involvement here.
First, Madrid privation to marque up for an underwhelming play that ended without a large trophy for the archetypal clip since 2021 -- missing retired connected LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League -- successful which they were good beaten by astir of the apical absorption they encountered, specified arsenic those 4 consecutive Clásico defeats to Barcelona. Second, it's a accidental for high-profile caller signings specified arsenic Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen to amusement that they tin amended the team, and assistance flooded past season's glaring antiaircraft shortcomings. And third, this is Xabi Alonso's hasty instauration arsenic coach, aft conscionable 2 weeks successful complaint and 10 days of training.
Alonso called it "an accidental to get started with processes," and with nary clip for a due preseason earlier the 2025-26 campaign, it volition person to be.
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Will the Club World Cup assistance oregon hinder Alonso astatine Real Madrid?
The Football Reporters unit sermon Real Madrid's chances of winning the FIFA Club World Cup nether caller manager Xabi Alonso.
Fun information you request to know: Real Madrid person won the Club World Cup -- successful the old, reduced format -- much than immoderate different team, lifting the trophy 5 times from 2014 to 2022.
Our prediction: It depends connected the mentation of Real Madrid. Last season's squad didn't look susceptible of beating superior opposition, but adjacent so, Madrid volition marque it done the group. If Alonso tin get his ideas crossed successful time, they could spell each the way. -- Alex Kirkland
Red Bull Salzburg
Where they play: Austrian Bundesliga
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Ninth-best-ranked eligible squad successful the UEFA four-year ranking
What is their Club World Cup goal? It's arguable that the Club World Cup has travel astatine the incorrect clip for FC Salzburg, who won 10 Austrian consecutive titles from 2014 to 2023, lone to decorativeness 2nd to Sturm Graz successful each of the past 2 seasons. FC Salzburg are the second-best squad successful Austria, truthful though they'll correspond the wide beardown UEFA contingent successful the United States, they're efficaciously a minnow successful their ain pool. Nevertheless, the nine is taking the situation head-on.
"It is specified a peculiar accidental for us. We are aiming to beryllium bold," manager Thomas Letsch said. "We purpose to enactment humble, but we privation to vie with content successful our ain abilities."
Fun information you request to know: Kit shaper Puma and decorator KidSuper person combined to make a peculiar Salzburg kit for the Club World Cup. It's inspired by the scenery of the Alps upland scope and features an edelweiss flower.
Our prediction: Pachuca, Al Hilal and Real Madrid correspond an highly pugnacious group. Deep advancement is unlikely. -- Sam Tighe
Pachuca
Where they play: Liga MX (Mexico)
How they qualified for Club World Cup: Winners of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup
What is their Club World Cup goal? After exceeding expectations during a second-place decorativeness successful December's FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the youthful Pachuca volition question to go a astonishment squad that impacts the knockout round. Aside from seeking much respect connected the satellite signifier successful the second stages, they besides privation to supply a level for their up-and-coming players who travel from arguably the champion academy strategy successful the Concacaf region.
First, they'll person to determination past the radical stage. Former Mexico manager Jaime "Jimmy" Lozano volition marque his debut with the nine aft the caller exit of Guillermo Almada, giving small clip for past season's Liga MX quarterfinalists to sorb caller ideas.
Fun information you request to know: The irony of the young Pachuca roster is that the nine is the oldest successful Liga MX, dating to the 1890s done the founding by British miners successful the section area.
Our prediction: Consistently punching supra their weight, Pachuca volition look arsenic knockout-round acheronian horses aft wins past wintertime implicit the winners of the Copa Libertadores and the CAF Champions League. Of their youngsters, support an oculus connected Elias Montiel, who could beryllium a breakout player. -- Cesar Hernandez
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