The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to be a groundbreaking event, featuring an expanded format with 32 teams competing in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025. This edition marks the first under the new format, a significant expansion from the previous annual seven-team tournament. Manchester City enters as the defending champion, having won the title in 2023 under the old format.
Qualified Teams and Format
The tournament will feature clubs from all six FIFA confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). Twelve European teams will participate, with slots allocated based on Champions League performances from 2020/21 to 2023/24.
Chelsea and Manchester City secured their places by winning the Champions League in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Other qualified European teams include Real Madrid (2022 and 2024 Champions League winners), Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Porto and Benfica. Only two teams from each country are allowed, unless more have won their continent's Champions League equivalent during the qualifying period.
The 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four, playing a round-robin within their group. The top two teams from each group will advance to the single-match knockout stages, starting with the Round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. There will be no third-place play-off.
Chelsea and Manchester City's Schedules
Chelsea is in Group D alongside Flamengo, Los Angeles FC, and Espérance de Tunis. Their schedule is as follows (all times EDT):
Manchester City is in Group G with Wydad AC, Al Ain FC, and Juventus. Their schedule is as follows (all times EDT):
Venues and Match Schedule
Matches will be played across 12 venues in 11 cities in the United States. The venues include:
The tournament kicks off on June 14 with Inter Miami facing Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The group stage will run until June 26, and the knockout stage begins on June 28. The final is scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where to Watch
DAZN will broadcast every match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 live and free globally.
The expanded Club World Cup promises to be a major event, bringing together top clubs from around the world to compete for the title of world champion. With Chelsea and Manchester City representing England, fans can look forward to exciting matches and a high level of competition.
