2025 FIFA Club World Cup Expands to 32 Teams, USA Named Host

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks an unprecedented expansion to 32 teams, transforming the tournament into a global football spectacle. Scheduled from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the competition will feature 63 matches played across 12 different cities and stadiums throughout the United States.

Football fans can expect an exciting new format with eight groups of four teams, followed by knockout rounds. Notably, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup teams will include a strong European presence, with 12 clubs representing UEFA’s confederation. The tournament culminates at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the champion will claim nearly $100 million in prize money. Additionally, DAZN will stream all matches for free, making the event accessible to billions of viewers worldwide.

FIFA expands Club World Cup to 32 teams

In a landmark decision, FIFA’s Council formally approved the expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams in December 2022, fundamentally transforming the tournament’s scope and significance. This decision marks the culmination of years of planning, with initial expansion proposals dating back to late 2016 when FIFA President Gianni Infantino first suggested enlarging the competition.

Why FIFA changed the format

The dramatic expansion represents FIFA’s vision to create a more “balanced and attractive” global club competition. Previously announced in March 2019, the expanded tournament was originally scheduled to debut in China in 2021 before COVID-19 pandemic disruptions forced a postponement.

FIFA’s financial projections played a crucial role in driving the expansion. The organization anticipates generating approximately $2 billion in revenue from the 2025 tournament, with $1 billion allocated directly to participating clubs. Furthermore, FIFA has earmarked a minimum of $250 million as solidarity payments to non-participating clubs worldwide.

“The distribution model of the FIFA Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football and represents the biggest-ever prize money for a football tournament comprising a seven-match group stage and playoff format,” stated FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Beyond direct financial benefits, a joint study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization (WTO) projects substantial economic impacts. According to their findings, the tournament could:

• Generate up to $21.1 billion in global GDP, including $9.6 billion in the United States
• Create approximately 105,000 jobs across the host nation
• Attract an estimated 3.7 million attendees across the tournament

However, the expansion has faced criticism from organizations representing players and leagues. Both FIFPRO (the players’ union) and the World Leagues Forum have expressed concerns about the impact on fixture congestion and player welfare.

How the new format compares to previous editions

The contrast between previous iterations and the 2025 edition is stark. Since its revival in 2005, the Club World Cup has typically featured six or seven teams representing FIFA’s various confederations. These tournaments were completed in approximately 10 days with minimal global attention.

Under the new format, the competition will feature:

• 32 teams divided into eight groups of four (identical to the FIFA World Cup format used from 1998-2022)
• A round-robin group stage with three matches per team
• Top two teams from each group advancing to a knockout phase
• A straight elimination tournament through the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final
• No third-place playoff, unlike the traditional World Cup format

The expanded tournament will stretch across four weeks (June 14-July 13, 2025), dramatically extending its duration compared to previous editions. Furthermore, the competition will feature 63 matches played across 11 host cities in the United States, compared to just seven matches in earlier versions.

While previous tournaments primarily focused on continental champions, the expanded format incorporates both recent champions and high-performing clubs based on sporting criteria. This approach has allowed FIFA to ensure representation from all six confederations while maintaining competitive balance.

USA hosts tournament across 12 cities

The United States will serve as the inaugural host for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with matches taking place across 12 venues in 11 cities throughout the country. This strategic selection establishes a foundation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

List of confirmed stadiums

FIFA announced twelve stadiums across eleven cities for the tournament on September 28, 2024. The venues span from coast to coast, utilizing both NFL facilities and purpose-built soccer stadiums:

• MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) – Will host the final on July 13, both semi-finals, a quarter-final, and group matches. Capacity: 82,500
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL) – Selected for the tournament opener featuring Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly on June 14, plus six group matches and two Round of 16 games. Capacity: 65,000
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) – Hosting group stage, Round of 16, and a quarter-final. Capacity: 75,000
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA) – Hosting group stage, Round of 16, and a quarter-final. Capacity: 69,000
• Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA) – The largest venue with 88,500 capacity, hosting group stage and Round of 16 matches
• Lumen Field (Seattle, WA) – Hosting all three Seattle Sounders group matches. Capacity: 69,000
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC) – Hosting group stage and Round of 16 matches. Capacity: 75,000 [92]
• Camping World Stadium (Orlando, FL) – Hosting group stage, Round of 16, and a quarter-final. Capacity: 65,000 [92]
• Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, FL) – Hosting group stage matches. Capacity: 25,000
• Geodis Park (Nashville, TN) – Hosting group stage matches. Capacity: 30,000
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH) – Hosting group stage matches. Capacity: 26,000
• Audi Field (Washington, D.C.) – Hosting group stage matches. Capacity: 20,000

Consequently, five of these venues—Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Lumen Field, Lincoln Financial Field, and MetLife Stadium—will also host matches during the 2026 World Cup.

Why the USA was chosen as host

The United States offers unparalleled sporting infrastructure, particularly with its modern NFL stadiums and newer MLS facilities. Besides possessing world-class venues, the country presents significant economic opportunities for FIFA and participating clubs.

Moreover, hosting the 2025 Club World Cup in the U.S. serves as a crucial test run for the 2026 World Cup. Officials will use this tournament to address logistical challenges specific to American venues, particularly regarding playing surfaces, as many stadiums utilize artificial turf that must be converted to natural grass for FIFA competitions.

Simultaneously, the tournament allows clubs to build their brands in the lucrative American market. Teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG already have established fan clubs in the U.S., which will help promote the tournament as teams activate their “massive social media followings”.

Economic and logistical considerations

The economic impact projections for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup are substantial. A joint study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimates the tournament could:

• Generate up to $21.1 billion in global GDP, with $9.6 billion directly in the U.S.
• Create approximately 105,000 jobs across the United States
• Produce $17.1 billion in gross output and unlock $3.36 billion in social benefits
• Attract an estimated 3.7 million spectators to the tournament

From a logistical perspective, teams are establishing base camps throughout the country for the duration of the tournament. For instance, Bayern Munich will train at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Flamengo at Stockton University in New Jersey, and Auckland City FC in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Inter Miami enjoys a home advantage, staying at their Fort Lauderdale training facility, whereas Manchester City is negotiating with Lynn University in Boca Raton, and Paris Saint-Germain is considering UC-Irvine.

Finding appropriate accommodations presents challenges, as major clubs travel with extensive entourages—often exceeding 100 staff members between players, coaches, trainers, and support personnel. Teams prioritize pristine training fields and tight security arrangements. Nevertheless, as one tournament official noted: “The facilities are ready… It’s plug and play at the end of the day with all the facilities we have in the USA”.

New format introduces group and knockout stages

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will adopt a comprehensive format mirroring the structure used in FIFA World Cups from 1998 to 2022. This format creates a month-long competition featuring both group play and knockout rounds.

How the group stage works

The 32 participating teams will be divided into eight groups of four (Groups A through H), with each team playing three matches in a round-robin format against the other teams in their group. The scoring follows standard football rules: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.

After all group matches conclude on June 26, the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout phase. If teams finish with equal points, the tiebreaker system differs from the World Cup:

• First considered are points obtained in matches between tied teams
• If still level, goal difference in those matches is examined
• Subsequently, goals scored in those head-to-head matches determine ranking
• Only after exhausting these criteria will overall group goal difference be considered

What happens in the knockout rounds

The knockout stage begins with the Round of 16 (June 28-July 1), featuring group winners facing runners-up from different groups. The pairings follow a predetermined bracket structure, with Group A winners playing Group B runners-up, Group B winners facing Group A runners-up, and so forth.

Quarterfinals take place on July 4-5, followed by semifinals at MetLife Stadium on July 8-9. Each knockout match is a one-off elimination: the winner advances while the loser exits the tournament.

Should any knockout match end tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played. If teams remain deadlocked, a penalty shootout determines which team progresses.

No third-place playoff: what it means

Unlike the FIFA World Cup, the 2025 Club World Cup eliminates the third-place playoff match. Consequently, losing semifinalists will not have an opportunity for a consolation prize or to secure additional prize money through an extra match.

This deviation from traditional tournament structure means the competition concludes with just the final at MetLife Stadium on July 13. The decision reflects FIFA’s focus on determining the champion rather than lower placings, streamlining the schedule and potentially reducing player workload in an already congested football calendar.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup teams confirmed

The finalized list of participants for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup features 32 elite football clubs from around the globe, officially confirmed after months of qualification tournaments and administrative decisions.

Breakdown by confederation

UEFA leads with the largest contingent of 12 teams, highlighted by recent Champions League winners Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City. CONMEBOL secured six spots, with Brazil represented by four clubs: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo. CONCACAF holds five positions, with Inter Miami qualifying through the host nation slot after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Both the AFC and CAF contribute four teams each, while Oceania is represented solely by Auckland City.

Notable representation by country includes Brazil (4), United States (3), Argentina (2), England (2), Germany (2), Italy (2), Portugal (2), and Spain (2), with 17 other nations contributing one team each.

Notable clubs and star players

The tournament will showcase some of football’s brightest talents. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami enters the competition with the most international goals (112) among all players. The competition features 26 FIFA World Cup winners, including 13 Argentinians from Qatar 2022, nine Frenchmen from Russia 2018, two Germans from Brazil 2014, and two Spaniards from South Africa 2010.

Other headliners include Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), who tallied 29 goals in 32 appearances this season, Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), and Erling Haaland (Manchester City). The squads include 142 Brazilians—more than any other nationality—followed by 104 Argentinians and 54 Spaniards.

Changes due to disqualifications or playoffs

Initially, Mexican side Club León qualified as the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup winner. Nevertheless, FIFA disqualified them on March 21, 2025, citing violations of multi-club ownership rules, as León and Pachuca share the same ownership group.

Following an unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, FIFA arranged a qualification playoff between Los Angeles FC (runners-up to León in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup) and Club América (highest-ranked eligible team in the confederation ranking). LAFC secured the final tournament spot with a 2-1 extra-time victory on May 31, 2025, replacing León in Group D alongside Espérance Sportive de Tunisie, Flamengo, and Chelsea.

Full match schedule and key fixtures revealed

FIFA has officially released the complete match schedule for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, allocating venues, dates, and kick-off times for all 63 matches of the tournament.

Opening match details

The tournament kicks off with a stand-alone fixture on Saturday, June 14, 2025, as host club Inter Miami faces African giants Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. This opening clash is scheduled for 8:00 PM EDT and will ceremonially launch the inaugural expanded tournament. The match features Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami representing the host nation against Egypt’s most successful club.

Group stage highlights

Throughout the group stage (June 14-26), fans can expect 48 total matches with several high-profile encounters. The schedule features notable fixtures such as Bayern Munich versus Auckland City in Cincinnati on June 15, Paris Saint-Germain against Atlético Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena that same day, and Real Madrid facing Al Hilal in Miami on June 18. Each team will play three group matches with coordinated kickoff times, particularly on the final matchdays of each group to maintain competitive integrity.

Knockout round timeline

The Round of 16 begins on June 28 with the Group A winners facing the Group B runners-up in Philadelphia, followed by three more matches through July 1. Thereafter, quarterfinals will take place on July 4-5 across Orlando, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and East Rutherford. The competition reaches its climax with semifinals at MetLife Stadium on July 8-9, both starting at 3:00 PM EDT.

Final match date and venue

Ultimately, the championship match will be contested on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final is scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT, where the winners of the two semifinal matches will compete for the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. The 82,500-seat venue will crown the inaugural champion of the expanded tournament, concluding a month-long competition that spans 12 venues across the United States.

Conclusion

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup undoubtedly represents a watershed moment in club football history. With 32 teams competing across 12 American venues, this expanded tournament transforms what was once a brief competition into a month-long global spectacle. Throughout the 63 scheduled matches, football fans will witness unprecedented levels of international club competition featuring stars like Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland on American soil.

Financial implications of this tournament extend far beyond the nearly $100 million prize for the champion. FIFA projects approximately $2 billion in revenue, while economic studies suggest up to $21.1 billion in global GDP impact and the creation of 105,000 jobs. Additionally, the tournament serves as a crucial test run for infrastructure and logistics ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Though criticized by player unions for increasing fixture congestion, the new format nevertheless offers clubs from smaller confederations rare opportunities to compete against football’s elite. Consequently, teams like Auckland City and Al Ahly can showcase their talents on the same stage as European giants Real Madrid and Manchester City.

The tournament’s structure—mirroring previous FIFA World Cups with eight groups of four followed by knockout rounds—provides familiar excitement for viewers worldwide. DAZN’s free streaming ensures billions can follow the action from June 14 through the July 13 final at MetLife Stadium. Football enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coverage of this historic tournament should visit our main page HOME for updates, analysis, and behind-the-scenes content as the competition unfolds.

Therefore, as football’s global club landscape evolves, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup stands as both culmination and beginning—recognizing club football’s worldwide appeal while establishing a new pinnacle for international club competition. The tournament’s legacy will likely extend beyond the trophy presentation, potentially reshaping how fans, players, and organizations perceive club football’s global hierarchy for years to come.

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