2025 FIFA Club World Cup – Ultimate Guide
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be the first edition of FIFA’s expanded global club championship, set to redefine the scale and prestige of international club soccer. Organized by FIFA, this tournament will bring together 32 of the world’s top football clubs for a month-long showdown in the United States. It kicks off June 15, 2025, and runs until July 13, 2025, with matches played across 12 stadiums in 11 cities.
The goal is clear: to crown the best club in the world. The prize pool is expected to surpass $100 million, and all eyes will be on this historic event as it unfolds across American soil, culminating in a final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Whether you’re watching for the drama or looking to place wise bets, this guide will cover all the essential details—format, schedule, and more—along with insights on odds, key players, and betting picks. Additionally, you’ll discover how to find the best-rated U.S betting sites to make the most of your wagers.
All about the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup – our Manual
Best 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Sportsbooks
Which teams qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?
Forget the old 7-team setup. FIFA has completely overhauled the Club World Cup, turning it into a full-blown 32-team showdown. How are teams distributed by confederation? To ensure global representation, FIFA allocated spots as follows:
| Confederation | Clubs | Qualification Method |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA (Europe) | 12 | UCL Winners (21–25) + rankings |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | 6 | Libertadores winners + rankings |
| AFC (Asia) | 4 | CAF Champions League winners |
| CAF (Africa) | 4 | AFC Champions League winners |
| CONCACAF (N/Central America) | 4 | CONCACAF Cup winners |
| OFC (Oceania) | 1 | OFC nominee via playoffs |
| Host Nation (USA) | 1 | To be determined by FIFA |
Find even more info for the Fifa Club World Cup on Wiki.
What are the 2025 Club World Cup Group matchups?
On December 5, 2024, FIFA conducted the official group draw in Miami’s Telemundo Center. The 32 qualified teams were placed into eight groups (A–H), each comprising four clubs from different confederations (wherever possible). Below are the final groups:
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷 Palmeiras | 🇫🇷 Paris Saint-Germain | 🇩🇪 Bayern Munich | 🇧🇷 Flamengo |
| 🇵🇹 Porto | 🇪🇸 Atletico Madrid | 🇳🇿 Auckland City | 🇹🇳 Esperance de Tunis |
| 🇪🇬 Al Ahly | 🇧🇷 Botafogo | 🇦🇷 Boca Juniors | 🏴 Chelsea |
| 🇺🇸 Inter Miami CF | 🇺🇸 Seattle Sounders FC | 🇵🇹 Benfica | 🇺🇸 Los Angeles FC |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇷 River Plate | 🇧🇷 Fluminense | 🏴 Manchester City | 🇪🇸 Real Madrid |
| 🇯🇵 Urawa Red Diamonds | 🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund | 🇲🇦 Wydad Casablanca | 🇸🇦 Al-Hilal |
| 🇲🇽 Monterrey | 🇰🇷 Ulsan HD | 🇦🇪 Al Ain | 🇲🇽 Pachuca |
| 🇮🇹 Inter Milan | 🇿🇦 Mamelodi Sundowns | 🇮🇹 Juventus | 🇦🇹 Red Bull Salzburg |
Each day of group action offers prime betting picks for international soccer, especially for those who understand form trends and player matchups.
What is the FIFA Club World Cup Play Format?
This edition borrows heavily from the FIFA World Cup structure, and that’s a good thing
Group Stage (June 15–26)
- 8 groups of 4 teams
- Round-robin: 3 matches per team
- Top 2 advance from each group
Knockout Phase (June 28–July 13)
- Round of 16 ➝ Quarterfinals ➝ Semifinals ➝ Final
- Single elimination: Lose and you’re out
- Extra time and penalties apply if tied after 90 minutes
This evolution adds drama, diversity, and betting depth across every stage. For fans looking to go beyond matchday odds, now is a great time to dive into a broader soccer betting guide that explains how tournament structures impact betting lines and futures markets.
FIFA Club World Cup Fixtures & Odds
The first matchday kicks off on June 14, with a blockbuster clash between Al Ahly and Inter Miami. Group play runs until June 26, with knockout games following hot on their heels. While the full matchday calendar is rolling out, fans and punters alike should mark every group stage day on their calendar. Every day offers a parlay opportunity.
FIFA Club World Cup Outright Bets & Odds
Outright betting markets for the 2025 Club World Cup have opened early, with leading sportsbooks listing approximate odds based on each club’s form, player quality, and historical pedigree. Odds will shift throughout spring and early summer 2025 as final rosters are named and last-minute injuries occur. Some top outright bets are:
2025 FIFA Club World Cup Winner
| Outright Winner | Best Odds | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | +400 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Manchester City | +500 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | +500 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Bayern Munich | +700 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Chelsea | +1000 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Inter Milan | +1400 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Atletico Madrid | +1400 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Borussia Dortmund | +2500 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
To Qualify/Advance from Group
| To Qualify | Best Odds | @ Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | -1200 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Atletico Madrid | -250 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Borussia Dortmund | -1000 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Inter Miami CF | +125 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Manchester City | -2500 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| PSG | -400 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| River Plate | -300 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Chelsea | -700 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Flamengo | -250 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Los Angeles FC | +137 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
Want better payouts? Learn how to get the best odds by comparing markets across major sportsbooks and jumping in early before line movement.
Key Players, Player Props & Odds
This tournament is a star-studded arena. A few names to build your bets around are:
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – His final big stage in the U.S. He’ll want to go out with a bang.
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – Speed, goals, leadership. He’s a game-changer.
- Erling Haaland (Man City) – If he’s fit, he’s your Golden Boot favorite.
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – Young, explosive, and already a midfield general.
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – Unstoppable when in form. Can torch defenses on his own.
Club World Cup Top Goalscorer
| Player | Best Odds | @ Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | +450 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Erling Haaland | +550 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Harry Kane | +700 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Ousmane Dembele | +1000 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Serhou Guirassy | +1600 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Vinicius Junior | +1600 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Julian Alavarez | +2000 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
| Lionel Messi | +2000 | Place Bet @ bet365 |
Prop bets like first goal scorer, assist leader, and total goals should be hot markets. Looking to go beyond basic wagers? Explore how to make prop bets!
What to expect from the US as hosts?
The U.S. isn’t just hosting—it’s competing. Inter Miami, thanks to its host nation spot, is already confirmed. MLS sides like Seattle Sounders and LAFC are also based on CONCACAF achievements. With Messi, Busquets, and Suárez donning pink for Inter Miami, American betting interest is peaking
Expect betting lines to shift sharply around Inter Miami’s fixtures. Learn how to beat the odds in sports betting by leveraging emotional market bias, especially when popular teams attract more public money than value warrants.
Stadiums & Host Cities
Matches will be played in 12 venues across 11 U.S. cities. Here are some of the confirmed stadiums that will host matches:
- MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) – Final
- Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) – Opening match
- Lumen Field (Seattle)
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
- Camping World Stadium (Orlando)
- Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
- TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
- Geodis Park (Nashville)
- Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
What are the key tournament rules?
- Squads: 23-man rosters, 3 goalkeepers minimum. Final lists due by June 1.
- Cards: 2 yellow cards = 1-game suspension, and Red cards carry full bans
- Substitutions: 5 per match; a 6th if extra time is played
- Tiebreakers: Goal difference > goals scored > head-to-head > fair play
The Fair Play Award grants $500,000 to the cleanest team, earmarked for youth development.
No time to read? Here are Quick Facts
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Dates | June 15 – July 13, 2025 |
| Host Nation | United States 🇺🇸 |
| Number of Clubs | 32 |
| Number of Matches | 63 |
| Format | 8 Groups of 4 → Knockout Stage |
| Duration | 1 month (aligned with international break) |
| Defending Champs (2023) | Manchester City (UEFA) |
Did You Know?
- The Club World Cup will now be held every 4 years, like the national World Cup.
- UEFA’s clubs are guaranteed 12 of 32 slots, reflecting Europe’s dominance in recent years.
- FIFA sees this as the pinnacle of club football, similar in scale to the Champions League.
What makes the FIFA Club World Cup so attractive for Fans and Clubs?
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, is a major revamp of the tournament. It features an expanded format with 32 clubs from all six FIFA confederations competing in a World Cup-style format: a group stage followed by a knockout phase. The tournament aims to be a showcase for the world’s best club teams, which makes it so attractive for Soccer Fans all over the world.
FIFA Club World Cup Prize Money
A significant attraction for clubs is the massive prize money. With a total prize pot of $1 billion, clubs stand to earn substantial sums. Simply participating guarantees a significant payment (varying by confederation, e.g., European clubs can get between $12.81 million and $38.19 million). The winner of the tournament could take home up to $125 million, a figure that rivals the prize money for winning the UEFA Champions League. This financial incentive makes the tournament highly attractive, providing clubs with considerable revenue for investments in transfers, infrastructure, and overall operations, especially benefiting smaller clubs from less wealthy federations.
