Club World Cup 2025: The 32 Teams Set to Compete, From Giants to Newcomers

The upcoming 2025 Club World Cup will be a historic event, featuring 32 clubs from across the globe, embarking on the tournament with group stages followed by knockout rounds. This new format marks a significant shift from previous editions, where only seven teams participated, including one representative from each of the six continental confederations alongside the host nation's league champion.

While the tournament promises excitement, it has also stirred debates over its impact on the football calendar and raised questions regarding qualifications. For instance, Inter Miami gained entry after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, despite not finishing as champions in the MLS play-offs.

Notably absent from this year's line-up are prominent teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayer Leverkusen. In contrast, clubs such as Manchester City, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid will make their mark. The draw for the groups is set to occur today at 1 PM ET (6 PM GMT) in Miami.

Team Profiles

Inter Milan (Italy, UEFA)

Global Power Ranking: 2

How they qualified: UEFA Ranking (2021-2024)

History: Inter has participated once in the Club World Cup, clinching victory in 2011. Their last treble came in 2010, under coach Jose Mourinho.

Key Player: Lautaro Martinez, the team's leading scorer since 2018, recently earned the Serie A Golden Boot.

Manchester City (England, UEFA)

Global Power Ranking: 3

How they qualified: 2022-23 Champions League winners

History: Recently crowned Club World Cup champions after defeating Fluminense, City has repeatedly proven their dominance on both domestic and international fronts.

Key Player: Erling Haaland has been a standout forward, maintaining an impressive strike rate.

Real Madrid (Spain, UEFA)

Global Power Ranking: 5

How they qualified: 2023-24 Champions League winners

History: The most decorated club in Club World Cup history, with five titles, Madrid aims to continue their legacy.

Key Player: Vinicius Junior, who has been pivotal in attack with a high goal contribution.

Bayern Munich (Germany, UEFA)

Global Power Ranking: 8

How they qualified: UEFA Ranking (2021-2024)

History: Known for their treble achievements, Bayern will bring their star power to the tournament.

Key Player: Harry Kane has made an explosive impact, breaking Bundesliga scoring records.

Paris Saint-Germain (France, UEFA)

Global Power Ranking: 9

How they qualified: UEFA Ranking (2021-2024)

History: Making their Club World Cup debut, PSG hopes to finally secure a global trophy after numerous near misses in Europe.

Key Player: Rising star Bradley Barcola has rapidly become a key figure for PSG.

Chelsea (England, UEFA)

Global Power Ranking: 10

How they qualified: 2020-21 Champions League winners

History: Chelsea has prior experience with a title win in 2021, amidst a mixed history of performance in global competitions.

Key Player: Cole Palmer, valuable in both goals and assists, has emerged as another bright talent.

Auckland City (New Zealand, OFC)

Global Power Ranking: 4083

How they qualified: Best-ranked OFC Champions League winner (2021-2024)

History: With 11 appearances in the Club World Cup, Auckland holds the record for the most participations, though they are the lowest-ranked team this year.

Key Player: Stipe Ukich, a promising young talent, has shown his worth with notable performances.

As the tournament draws nearer, fans worldwide are eager to witness which club will emerge victorious and etch their names into football history during the 2025 Club World Cup—a battle of champions showcasing the best of club football on an international stage!