2025 Club World Cup about to begin

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Kicks Off: A New Era for Global Club Football Begins

The newly expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup officially kicks off today, ushering in a month-long celebration of elite global football. This year marks a historic transformation for the tournament, as it adopts a much larger format with 32 participating clubs from across six confederations—bringing together champions and powerhouses from every corner of the footballing world.

The opening round of fixtures begins on 15th June, with three eagerly anticipated matches. African giants Al Ahly take on Inter Miami, led by global superstar Lionel Messi. At the same time, European heavyweights Bayern Munich face Oceania’s top side Auckland City, while Paris Saint-Germain meet fellow European contenders Atletico Madrid in a blockbuster early clash that promises fireworks.

The excitement continues on 16th June, as six more clubs enter the competition. Brazilian side Botafogo square off against Seattle Sounders, representing Major League Soccer (MLS). Meanwhile, Premier League outfit Chelsea meet Los Angeles FC, another strong American contender. Rounding off the day, South American giants Boca Juniors begin their campaign against Portuguese side Benfica, in a match steeped in history and flair.

17th June will see a packed schedule featuring four matches and several South American and African powerhouses. Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Fluminense face off against ES Tunis and Borussia Dortmund, respectively. Meanwhile, River Plate, another Argentinian titan, takes on Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds, and Ulsan HD from South Korea clashes with Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa’s premier club.

The following day, 18th June, continues the momentum with a set of high-stakes fixtures. Mexican side Monterrey meets Inter Milan, while reigning European champions Manchester City take on Morocco’s Wydad AC, the CAF Champions League winners. Spanish giants Real Madrid begin their title pursuit against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, and Pachuca—another Mexican representative—faces Red Bull Salzburg, the Austrian champions.

The final two teams to begin their campaign do so on 19th June, as Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates plays Juventus in a much-anticipated encounter between two clubs with rich international pedigrees.

A Tournament of Firsts

This edition of the FIFA Club World Cup marks the first time the tournament adopts a format similar to the men’s FIFA World Cup, with a group stage followed by a knockout phase. The 32 clubs are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the Round of 16. Unlike past editions—traditionally held in December with just seven teams—this expanded format aims to offer a more inclusive and globally competitive spectacle.

The Road to Global Glory

With representation from every confederation, fans are set to witness a rare clash of styles, philosophies, and histories. From European dominance to South American flair, African resilience, Asian discipline, and North American ambition, the 2025 Club World Cup promises to be a showcase of the best the club game has to offer.

More than just silverware is at stake. For the players, it's a chance to make history. For the clubs, it’s an opportunity to elevate their global stature. And for the fans, it’s a footballing feast like no other.

As the world tunes in over the coming weeks, one question will remain on everyone’s minds: Who will be crowned the true champions of the footballing world?