The stage is set for the 2025 Club World Cup which will take place in the United States. An expanded tournament will now include 32 teams in eight groups of four. The draw for those groups took place on Thursday in Miami and we now know who will face who. Inter Miami will kick things off on June 15 facing Al Ahly and the close of the tournament will be on July 13 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Let’s take a look at the groups, the group of death and rank the top five group-stage meetings:
The Groups
Group A
- Palmeiras
- Porto
- Al Ahly
- Inter Miami
Group B
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Atletico Madrid
- Botafogo
- Seattle Sounders
Group C
- Bayern Munich
- Auckland City FC
- Boca Juniors
- Benfica
Group D
- Flamengo
- ES Tunisie
- Chelsea
- Club Leon
Group E
- River Plate
- Urawa Red Diamonds
- CF Monterrey
- Inter
Group F
- Fluminense
- Borussia Dortmund
- Ulsan HD
- Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Group G
- Manchester City
- Wydad AC
- Al Ain FC
- Juventus
Group H
- Real Madrid
- Al Hilal
- CF Pachuca
- RB Salzburg
Is there a group of death?
While one takeaway is that since the draw had to separate the UEFA teams, it doesn’t mean that one group doesn’t seem tougher to make it out of than the other. At first glance, Group B and Group C are the ones that stick out but Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, and the Seattle Sounders just edge a group of Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, and Benfica. It’s likely that PSG and Atleti are the sides to make the cut from that group but if anyone slips up, it’s a time to be on alert.
For a passionate, unapologetic and informed discussion about the USMNT and the state of the American game catch the Call It What You Want podcast! Download and follow Call It What You Want on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!
5. Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly
Lionel Messi, new manager Javier Mascherano, and Inter Miami may not have the biggest headlining match possible facing Al Ahly but to kick off this star-studded tournament, they’ll be sure to bring a show. This is a big-time affair and it’s only the second time that an MLS team has been involved following the Seattle Sounders’ inclusion after winning Concacaf Champions Cup and participating in 2022. It’s a shot at history and the first step is always the most important one.
4. Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal
The Galacticos facing one of the top teams in the Saudi Pro League and former Barcelona man Joao Cancelo is also a big-time affair. The Saudi Pro League already tabled an offer to Madrid man Kylian Mbappe and could certainly come for more Real Madrid players in the future. With the spending power to compete with the world’s best, there’s no way to rule out Al-Hilal adding another star to their ranks either.
3. Chelsea vs. Flamengo
Brazilian sides always bring their best to the Club World Cup and Flamengo are no strangers to this tournament. This is their second appearance in the last four years and they’ll get to face a new-look Chelsea side. With the Blues on the up under Enzo Maresca, getting to compete in a competition like this one will be a good, formative experience.
2. Bayern Munich vs. Benfica
They may have played recently in the Champions League but in another group where dropped points can make all the difference, Harry Kane facing off with Angel Di Maria will be a time. These teams are no strangers to top competition and performing on the global stage while also boasting budding world stars.
1. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid
Kicking off the group of death is the most important matchup because the loser between PSG and Atleti will find themselves behind the eight-ball. In a group with Botafogo and the Sounders, there’s no guarantee of going undefeated in all group stage matches which is why any dropped points will matter. The post-Mbappe era hasn’t been a kind one to PSG but they have plenty of time to figure things out before the Club World Cup.
Key Club World Cup dates
- June 15: Opening game at Hard Rock Stadium
- July 13: Final at MetLife Stadium
Club World Cup venues
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- TQL Stadium, Cincinatti
- Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- GEODIS Park, Nashville
- Camping World Stadium, Orlando
- Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Lumen Field, Seattle
- Audi Field, Washington D.C.
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
