Home of football statistics and historyThe revamped FIFA Club World Cup takes centre stage in the summer of 2025, but it is fair to say that not everyone is on board with the concept.
FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament to 32 teams has been widely criticised, with clubs and players claiming it places too many demands on an already stretched calendar.
However, their comments have fallen on deaf ears and FIFA have ploughed ahead with a tournament they believe will become hugely successful.
If you are wondering what all the fuss is about, you can read more via our comprehensive guide to the 2025 Club World Cup.
Club World Cup 2025 – Stadiums
The tournament will be staged in 12 stadiums across the United States:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta.
- Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte.
- TQL Stadium – Cincinnati.
- Rose Bowl Stadium – Los Angeles.
- Hard Rock Stadium – Miami.
- GEODIS Park – Nashville.
- Camping World Stadium – Orlando.
- Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando.
- Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia.
- Lumen Field – Seattle.
- Audi Field – Washington.
Club World Cup 2025 – Dates & Format
The 2025 Club World Cup runs from June 15 to July 13. The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four, with the top two in each section qualifying for the knockout stage.
The last-16, quarter-final, semi-final and final are played as single elimination games. Extra-time and penalties will be used to determine the outcome if required.
Club World Cup 2025 – Teams
The 32 qualified teams for the 2025 Club World Cup are as follows:
- Europe: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg, Atletico Madrid.
- Oceania: Auckland City.
- South America: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Botafogo.
- North America: Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Leon, Pachuca, Inter Miami.
- Africa: Al-Ahly, Wydad, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns.
- Asia: Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al-Ain, Ulsan HD.
Club World Cup 2025 – Outright Betting
- Manchester City – 7/2
- Real Madrid – 4/1
- Bayern Munich – 7/1
- Chelsea – 8/1
- Inter Milan – 11/1
- Paris Saint-Germain – 12/1
- Atletico Madrid – 14/1
- Borussia Dortmund – 25/1
- Juventus – 25/1
- Palmeiras – 25/1
- Porto – 33/1
- Benfica – 33/1
- Flamengo – 33/1
- Al-Hilal – 33/1
- Inter Miami – 40/1
- Fluminense – 50/1
- River Plate – 50/1
- Boca Juniors – 50/1
- Botafogo – 50/1
- Red Bull Salzburg – 100/1
- Monterrey – 100/1
- Seattle Sounders – 100/1
- Cub Leon – 100/1
- Pachuca – 100/1
- Urawa Red Diamonds – 150/1
- Al-Ain – 150/1
- Al-Ahly – 150/1
- Ulsan HD – 200/1
- Wydad – 500/1
- Esperance de Tunis – 500/1
- Mamelodi Sundowns – 500/1
- Auckland City – 1000/1
Club World Cup 2025 – Preview
The Club World Cup was first staged in 2000 with eight teams and the format has been tweaked several times since the inaugural tournament.
South American teams won the first three editions (2000, 2005 & 2006), but the competition has subsequently been dominated by European clubs.
Corinthians (2012) are the only non-European team to have lifted the trophy since then, highlighting how the balance of power has shifted.
Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2022) are the most successful club in the history of the tournament ahead of Barcelona (2009, 2011 & 2015).
Manchester United (2008), Liverpool (2019), Chelsea (2021) and Manchester City (2023) are the only English sides who have been crowned club world champions.
Man City are the bookmakers’ favourites to retain the title, but punters may be reluctant to wager on them achieving the feat.
Pep Guardiola’s side have gone off the boil a little this season and must improve if they are to have a chance of retaining the trophy they claimed in 2023.
The composition of the 2025 edition of the tournament undoubtedly increases the prospect of teams defying the odds next summer.
The top clubs may be reluctant to field their best starting XI at the end of a busy season, which further complicates matters for sports bettors.
On that basis, it may pay to focus on the South American teams when bookmakers publish different markets on the Club World Cup.
Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, River Plate, Boca Juniors and Botafogo are all tasty prices in the outright betting and are worth considering in the ‘reach the semi-finals’ market.
Inter Miami are another team who will be eager to make an impression, particularly with Argentinian legend Lionel Messi in their ranks.
Playing on home soil should give them an advantage and they may be worth considering as a betting proposition to make it through to the knockout stage.
However, when it comes to wagering on the eventual winners, the Club World Cup roll of honour highlights that European clubs should have the edge.
Chelsea appeal as the value bet at odds of 8/1, given they have won the tournament before and are well-equipped to cope with the additional workload due to their sizeable squad.
0 Comments