FIFA Club World Cup Brackets – 2025 Full Draw Results

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup brackets have been set following the official draw held on December 5, 2024. Thirty-two clubs from six confederations will compete across 63 fixtures over 29 days in the United States, with the tournament running from June 15 to July 13, 2025. The expanded format marks a significant departure from previous editions, featuring eight groups of four teams with the top two from each advancing to a knockout stage that concludes at MetLife Stadium.

Fans seeking to follow the path to the final can access complete draw results, group assignments, and matchup details below. The inaugural edition of the expanded Club World Cup brings together continental champions and top-ranked clubs from around the globe, with defending UEFA Champions League holders Manchester City among the heavy favorites heading into the competition.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup Brackets: Full Draw Results

The draw ceremony established eight balanced groups designed to prevent early eliminations between clubs from the same nation. UEFA representatives received special consideration due to their high number of qualified clubs, with the rule preventing more than one team from the same confederation per group (excluding UEFA). Additionally, teams from the same countries cannot face each other during the group stage, ensuring varied international matchups from the opening round.

Key Insights from the Draw

• Group A features Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi, alongside Brazilian champions Palmeiras, Portuguese giants FC Porto, and Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly FC
• Group B brings together Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, and Seattle Sounders FC in a cross-confederation clash
• Group G places Manchester City alongside Juventus FC, creating a potential rematch of their 2023 Champions League quarterfinal
• Group H features Real Madrid against Al Hilal, with Mexican club Pachuca and Austrian representatives RB Salzburg rounding out the bracket
• Group C includes FC Bayern München, CA Boca Juniors, SL Benfica, and New Zealand’s Auckland City FC
• Group D pairs CR Flamengo against Chelsea FC, with Espérance Sportive de Tunisie and Club León also drawn
• Group F features Borussia Dortmund alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, marking a significant representation for African football

FIFA Club World Cup Format and Bracket Structure

The Club World Cup follows a tiered competition structure that begins with a group stage and concludes with knockout rounds. The 32 participating clubs are divided into eight groups of four, where each team plays every other team in their group once through a round-robin format. This stage produces 48 matches across twelve matchdays, with the top two finishers from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.

Group Stage Rules

Seeding regulations ensure competitive balance throughout the group stage. No group contains more than one team from the same confederation, with the notable exception of UEFA clubs, which have multiple qualified teams. This restriction applies across all other confederations including CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, and OFC. Equally important, teams from the same national association cannot occupy the same group, preventing domestic matchups such as Chelsea versus Manchester City during the opening phase.

Knockout Stage Progression

The knockout bracket begins with a round of 16 on June 28-29, where group winners face runners-up from different groups. This bracket design prevents immediate rematches between clubs that may have met in the group stage. Quarterfinal matches follow, reducing the field from 16 to eight teams. The semifinals then determine which two clubs advance to the championship match scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium. Drawn matches in knockout rounds are resolved through extra time and penalty shootouts.

Teams and Groups in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

The 32 qualified clubs represent all six FIFA confederations, with qualification based on continental performance and club rankings over a designated period. The two-per-country maximum (with UEFA exceptions) shaped the final roster, creating notable inclusions and exclusions among Europe’s traditional powers.

UEFA Representatives

European clubs dominate the qualified field, with clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern München, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto, Benfica, RB Salzburg, and Chelsea FC all securing their places. Liverpool and Barcelona were notably absent due to the two-per-nation restriction, despite their historical stature and ranking positions.

CONMEBOL Representatives

South American champions include CA Boca Juniors, CR Flamengo, SE Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Botafogo. These clubs earned their spots through continental competition, with Boca Juniors and Palmeiras representing the deep tradition of South American club football.

Other Confederation Representatives

Clubs from outside Europe and South America round out the remaining groups. Al Ahly FC (Egypt) and Espérance Sportive de Tunisie (Tunisia) represent CAF, while Auckland City FC carries OFC’s representation. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) makes history as a strong African contender, and Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) leads the AFC contingent alongside Al Ain FC (UAE). Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, Club León, and CF Monterrey represent CONCACAF in the United States-based tournament.

Key Dates and Schedule for FIFA Club World Cup Brackets

The tournament spans nearly one month, with matches distributed across major U.S. metropolitan areas including Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Atlanta. The scheduling compresses what would traditionally be a longer competition into a 29-day window, requiring clubs to manage fixture congestion across multiple time zones.

Tournament Timeline

1. December 5, 2024 – Official draw ceremony establishes group assignments
2. June 15, 2025 – Group stage opens with matches across all eight groups
3. June 15-27, 2025 – Group stage matches continue with round-robin play
4. June 28, 2025 – Round of 16 begins; knockout rounds commence
5. June 28-29, 2025 – Round of 16 fixtures (8 matches)
6. July 2-3, 2025 – Quarterfinal matches determine semifinalists
7. July 8-9, 2025 – Semifinal matches determine finalists
8. July 13, 2025 – Final at MetLife Stadium crowns the champion

FIFA Club World Cup Brackets: What We Know and What Remains Uncertain

Understanding the Expanded Club World Cup Format

The 2025 edition represents a fundamental transformation of the Club World Cup from its predecessors. Previous tournaments featured just seven clubs competing over approximately two weeks. The expanded format increases participation to 32 clubs and extends the competition to nearly one month, positioning the tournament as a significant standalone event rather than a brief interlude between domestic seasons.

FIFA’s decision to award the inaugural expanded edition to the United States aligns with broader plans to establish new tournament homes. The scheduling places the Club World Cup in a window that avoids conflict with major domestic leagues, though clubs from multiple competitions may face logistical challenges regarding player fatigue and travel. The champion receives a prize of $100 million, representing a substantial increase from previous editions and reflecting the tournament’s elevated status.

Official Sources and Statements

FIFA’s official communications regarding the draw emphasized the competitive balance achieved through the seeding mechanism. According to statements from FIFA’s tournament division, the draw format ensures that clubs from all confederations have realistic advancement opportunities while preventing premature elimination of geographically close rivals. The official tournament hub at fifa.com provides ongoing updates on fixtures, venues, and qualification details.

For the first time in history, 32 clubs from across all six confederations will compete in a standalone Club World Cup, showcasing the very best of club football on a truly global stage.

– FIFA Tournament Division Statement, December 2024

Following the Road to the Final

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup brackets present a compelling combination of established European powers and emerging continental contenders. With 63 matches across 29 days, the tournament offers extensive opportunities for clubs to prove their standing among the world’s elite. The knockout bracket’s structure means any team advancing from their group faces progressively stronger opposition, culminating in a final that will determine the undisputed champion of club football for the next four years.

For readers interested in comparing early-season preparations and form, Tottenham’s match against AFC Bournemouth provides context on Premier League clubs managing tournament schedules, while Tottenham’s fixture against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt demonstrates the cross-continental preparations underway among European contenders.

Frequently Asked Questions