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The draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been finalized and all 32 participants now know their fate for next summer’s group stage in the United States.
The expanded and renewed tournament has understandably divided opinion among fans, many of whom are already tired of the relentlessness of the club’s football calendar. However, when the competition begins next June, eyes will undoubtedly be on North America.
Group stage draw has produced some fascinating matches as a number of clubs from all six continental federations prepare to fight for world champion status. Many matches in the tournament have never been seen before.
These are the six most intriguing matches of the 2025 Club World Cup group stage – ranked.
Next summer, the World Club Championship starts with a bang. Inter Miami maybe only in the competition as the host club, but they are one of the best teams in North America, led by eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and supported by fellow veterans and former Barcelona friends Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.
Eyes will no doubt be on diminutive Argentine Herons, but current African Champions League holders Al Ahly have plenty of experience in this competition. The Egyptian giant is making his tenth appearance after winning CAF’s most prestigious award in three of the past four seasons.
These two European opponents clashed for the first time during the 2024/25 league stage. Champions Leaguewith Angel Correa’s 93rd minute super substitution effort securing a comeback win for the Spanish side. This may not have the glamor of intercontinental fights, but it will be one of the highest quality encounters during the group stage.
It will be the first meeting for both sides in Group B, with current Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo and 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners Seattle Sounders watching with great interest.
Chelsea have faced Brazilian rivals twice in the past (excluding friendlies), but never faced Flamengo. The Blues will be among the tournament favorites in the United States, with games against Mexican side Leon and Tunisian side ES Tunis sandwiched between a strong clash with one of the South American behemoths.
Flamengo have featured regularly at the Club World Cup in recent years, reaching the final of the competition in 2019. On that occasion, they struggled against English opposition, losing 1-0 to Liverpool after extra time. It’s the closest they’ve come to a crown.
Juventus and Manchester City they have faced each other on six occasions since their first meeting in 1976 in the UEFA Cup, but the Italian giants have not met England’s dominant force since 2015. Two Champions League group stage games ended in Juve’s favour.
However, Man City will boast the tag of favorites when the two meet in the Club World Cup. The Cityzens won the trophy in 2023 on their only appearance, with Juventus never taking the field in the competition before. It will be another quality affair of European heavyweights.
Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors have never participated in the Club World Cup, but did face each other in the 2001 Intercontinental Cup. The competition, which initially ran from 1960 to 2004, pitted the Champions League/European Cup winners against the Copa Libertadores champions in a one-on-one match.
Argentinian giants Boca were the reigning champions when they faced Bayern in 2001, but it was the German side who triumphed thanks to centre-back Samuel Kaffour’s extra-time effort.
The gap between these two superpowers is now wider than it was at the turn of the century, but next summer’s meeting should be just as dramatic.
You don’t have to look too deep in the record books to find the last and only meeting in between Real Madrid and Al Hilal. The two met at the 2022 Club World Cup (which actually took place in February 2023) in Morocco and played out a thriller in the final.
The Spanish side triumphed for a record fifth time in the competition as they beat their Saudi opponents 5-3, with Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior netting doubles in a thrilling match. Despite the result, Madrid never lost control of the high-scoring game.
More of the same would be welcome next summer, with Al Hilal currently boasting Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and, of course, Neymar in their squad.
