The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 32 of the world’s best club teams in a month-long competition hosted across the United States. This global tournament marks a historic shift from the previous format, promising more games, more teams, and more excitement.
From how teams qualified to where matches will be played, this guide covers everything you need to know about the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Table of Contents
Club World Cup 2025 Overview
- Host Nation: United States
- Total Teams: 32
- Group Format: 8 groups of 4 teams
- Dates: Mid-2025 (exact dates TBA)
- Knockout Rounds: Single-leg Round of 16 to Final
- Number of Matches: 63
- Official Broadcaster: DAZN (free streaming)
How Teams Qualified for the Club World Cup 2025
Participating teams qualified through two main pathways:
1. Continental Champions (16 Teams)
Half of the teams secured their places by winning their respective continental championships between 2021 and 2024. These include:
- UEFA Champions League winners
- Copa Libertadores winners
- CAF Champions League winners
- AFC Champions League winners
- CONCACAF Champions League winners
- OFC Champions League winner
2. Confederation Ranking Pathway (15 Teams)
The remaining teams qualified based on their consistent performances in continental club competitions over the past four years. A ranking system, calculated through coefficients, determined eligibility.
3. Host Nation Representative (1 Team)
The United States, as the host nation, was awarded one slot. That spot goes to Inter Miami, the MLS club that earned it by winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Brazil Leads in Representation
Brazil is the most represented country in the 2025 Club World Cup, with four clubs from its Série A:
- Palmeiras
- Botafogo
- Flamengo
- Fluminense
This highlights Brazil’s dominance in recent South American competitions.
Club World Cup 2025 Format Explained
Group Stage
- 8 groups of 4 teams (32 teams total)
- Each team plays 3 matches in a single round-robin format
- Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Round of 16
Knockout Stage
- Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final
- All knockout matches are single-leg fixtures
- No third-place match will be played, unlike in previous editions
This new format brings the tournament in line with the traditional FIFA World Cup structure.
Club World Cup 2025 Host Cities and Stadiums
The tournament will be held in 12 state-of-the-art venues across 9 U.S. states. Cities expected to host matches include:
- New York City
- Miami
- Los Angeles
- Dallas
- Atlanta
- Houston
- Philadelphia
- Seattle
- Chicago
The choice of the United States as host is no surprise, considering the country’s infrastructure and the growing popularity of soccer through the MLS.
Official Broadcaster: How to Watch Club World Cup 2025 Live
The exclusive international broadcasting rights for the Club World Cup 2025 have been awarded to DAZN, a British-based digital streaming service.
How to Watch:
- All 63 matches will be streamed for free
- Accessible via the DAZN app or DAZN website
- Users must create a free DAZN account
- Multiple languages available for commentary
This initiative is expected to draw millions of new viewers from across the world.
Club World Cup Sponsors and Partners
The 2025 Club World Cup is backed by a mix of global and regional sponsors:
- Main Sponsors: AB InBev, Bank of America, Hisense
- FIFA Partners: Adidas, Aramco, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia, Lenovo, Qatar Airways, Visa
Their involvement ensures a world-class experience for fans and participants alike.
History of the FIFA Club World Cup
The first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup was held in 2000 in Brazil. That final saw Corinthians defeat Vasco da Gama, marking Brazil’s dominance in early editions.
Since then, only 12 clubs have lifted the trophy. Real Madrid holds the record for the most titles, having won the competition five times.
Only clubs from five nations have ever won the Club World Cup:
- Spain
- Brazil
- England
- Italy
- Germany
All champions have emerged from either UEFA or CONMEBOL, underlining the historical strength of European and South American clubs.
Conclusion
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises to be a landmark event in global football. With a new format, expanded teams, and free streaming access, the tournament is set to attract a massive global audience. Inter Miami’s participation as host team adds even more attention, especially from North American fans.
Whether you’re following your favorite European giant, a rising South American club, or the home team Inter Miami, the Club World Cup 2025 is not to be missed.
