It would be a stretch to suggest that all football fans had their eyes on Miami during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw, but there was undoubtedly global interest.
The show strongly emphasized the need for unification in an increasingly divided world, something the World Cup has aimed to accomplish since its first edition in 1930.
It remains to be seen whether an expanded iteration of a competition which, for European clubs in particular, has lost its importance, can ensure global harmony. Yet FIFA President Gianni Infantino is undoubtedly optimistic about the tournament's prospects from a sporting perspective.
If you're not sold, perhaps the presence of Lionel Messi will convince.
With the tournament following the same format used by FIFA for its World Cups between 1998 and 2022, the early December draw means the teams have already plotted their path to the final in New Jersey.
Here is a breakdown of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup groups and knockout support.
THE 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four and the draw resulted in a number of intriguing duels, with many groups initially seeming difficult to name.
While four of the eight groups feature two UEFA representatives, the remainder feature four teams from different confederations, meaning a range of never-before-seen match-ups will be featured.
Paris Saint-Germain v Atletico Madrid and Manchester City v Juventus are among the most high-profile encounters of the group stage, but some duels are more intriguing, like Between against River Plate and Bayern Munich against Boca Juniors. There is also a repeat of the 2022 Club World Cup final between Real Madrid and Al Hilal in Group H.
Group A
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Club |
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Palm trees |
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Port |
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Al Ahly |
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InterMiami |
Group B
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Club |
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Paris Saint-Germain |
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Atletico Madrid |
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Botafogo |
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Seattle Sounders |
Group C
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Club |
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Bayern Munich |
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Auckland City |
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Boca Juniors |
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Benfica |
Group D
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Club |
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Flemish |
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You are Tunis |
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Chelsea |
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Leon |
Group E
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Club |
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Flat River |
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Urawa Red Diamonds |
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Monterrey |
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Between |
Group F
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Club |
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Fluminense |
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Borussia Dortmund |
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Ulsan HD |
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Mamelodi sunsets |
Group G
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Club |
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Man City |
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Wydad AC |
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Al Ain |
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Juventus |
Group H
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Club |
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Real Madrid |
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Al-Hilal |
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Pachuca |
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RB Salzburg |
The knockout stage of the 2025 Club World Cup will begin at the end of June, with 16 teams advancing from the group stages. The routes are already mapped out for each team until the final on July 13.
If they win Group H, Real Madrid look set to face Man City or Juventus in the round of 16, while Chelsea will look to avoid it. Bayern Munich during the first knockout phase.
Messi could face his former club PSG if Inter Miami comes out of a competitive Group A.
Round of 16
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Fixing |
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Winner of Group A against runner-up of Group B |
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Winner of Group C against runner-up of Group D |
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Winner of Group E against runner-up of Group F |
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Winner of Group G vs runner-up of Group H |
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Winner of Group B against runner-up of Group A |
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Winner of Group D against runner-up of Group C |
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Winner of Group F against runner-up of Group E |
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Winner of Group H vs runner-up of Group G |
Quarter-finals
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Fixing |
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Winner of Group A/ Runner-up in Group B vs Winner of Group C/ Runner-up in Group D |
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Winner of Group E/ Runner-up in Group F vs Winner of Group G/ Runner-up in Group H |
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Winner of Group B/ Runner-up in Group A vs Winner of Group D/ Runner-up in Group C |
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Winner of Group F / Runner-up of Group E vs Winner of Group H vs Runner-up of Group G |
Semi-finals
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Fixing |
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Winner of group A/2nd in group B/winner of group C/2nd in group D vs winner of group E/2nd in group F/winner of group G/finalist of group H |
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Winner of group B/2nd in group A/winner of group D/2nd in group C vs. winner of group F/2nd in group E/winner of group H vs. runner-up in group G |
Final
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Fixing |
Location |
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To be confirmed |
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE 2025 CLUB WORLD CUP AND HOW IT WORKS HERE
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