FIFA Club World Cup Format Explained

Learn all about the new FIFA Club World Cup format, including groups, draw and schedule details.

Club World Cup Format

Qualifying

UEFA have been awarded the most slots with twelve, while CONMEBOL have been granted the second most with six. The AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF were allocated four slots, while the OFC and the host association were given one slot each.

15 of the teams entering the 2025 Club World Cup have qualified as Continental champions, 15 teams have qualified via their UEFA, OFC, AFC, CAF or CONMOBEL ranking, Inter Miami take a host spot, while Los Angeles Football Club earned a place as play-in winners.

Which teams have qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup?

UEFA

Team(s)	Qualification
Chelsea (England)	2020/21 UEFA Champions League winner
Manchester City (England)	2022/23 UEFA Champions League winner
Real Madrid (Spain)	2023/24 UEFA Champions League winner
Bayern Munich (Germany)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Paris Saint-Germain (France)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Inter (Italy)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Porto (Portugal)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Benfica (Portugal)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Atletico Madrid (Spain)	UEFA 4-year ranking
Juventus (Italy)	UEFA 4-year ranking
RB Salzburg (Austria)	UEFA 4-year ranking

CONMEBOL

Team(s)	Qualification
Palmeiras (Brazil)	2021 Copa Libertadores winner
Flamengo (Brazil)	2022 Copa Libertadores winner
Fluminense (Brazil)	2023 Copa Libertadores winner
River Plate (Argentina)	CONMEBOL 4-year ranking
Boca Juniors (Argentina)	CONMEBOL 4-year ranking
Botafogo (Brazil)	2024 Copa Libertadores winner

AFC

Team(s)	Qualification
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)	2021 AFC Champions League winner
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)	2022 AFC Champions League winner
Al Ain (UAE)	2023 AFC Champions League winner
Ulsan HD (South Korea)	AFC 4-year ranking

CAF

Team(s)	Qualification
Wydad AC (Morocco)	2021/22 CAF Champions League winner
Al Ahly (Egypt)	2023/24 CAF Champions League winner
Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)	CAF 4-year ranking
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)	CAF 4-year ranking

CONCACAF

Team(s)	Qualification
Monterrey (Mexico)	2021 CONCACAF Champions League winner
Seattle Sounders (USA)	2022 CONCACAF Champions League winner
Pachuca (Mexico)	2024 CONCACAF Champions League winner
Los Angeles FC	Winner in play-in match

CONCACAF (host slot)

Inter Miami (USA)

MLS Supporters' Shield winner

CONCACAF (play-in winner)

Los Angeles FC

Play-in winner v Club America

Group Stage

In the group stage, teams were divided into eight groups of four. Teams in each group will play one another in a round-robin format, from which the top two teams will advance to the knockout stage.

Group A

• Palmeiras
• Porto
• Al Ahly
• Inter Miami

Group B

• Paris Saint-Germain
• Atletico Madrid
• Botafogo
• Seattle Sounders

Group C

• Bayern Munich
• Auckland City
• Boca Juniors
• Benfica

Group D

• Flamengo
• Esperance de Tunis
• Chelsea
• Los Angeles FC

Group E

• River Plate
• Urawa Red Diamonds
• Monterrey
• Inter Milan

Group F

• Fluminense
• Borussia Dortmund
• Ulsan HD
• Mamelodi Sundowns

Group G

• Manchester City
• Wydad AC
• Al Ain
• Juventus

Group H

• Real Madrid
• Al Hilal
• Pachuca
• Red Bull Salzburg

Schedule

Round of 16

• Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B - 28th June
• Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D - 28th June
• Winner group E v Runner-up Group F - 30th June
• Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H - 30th June
• Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A - 29th June
• Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C - 29th June
• Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E - 1st July
• Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G - 1st July

Quarter-finals

• Quarter-final 1 - 4th July
• Quarter-final 2 - 4th July
• Quarter-final 3 - 5th July
• Quarter-final 4 - 5th July

Semi-finals

• Semi-final 1 - 8th July
• Semi-final 2 - 9th July

Final

• Final - 13th July