The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks a historic moment in global club football. Making its debut in the United States, this revamped tournament features 32 elite teams battling for the title of world champions between June 14 and July 13, 2025. With the expansion to 32 participants, a record prize pool nearing $1 billion, and innovative match-day technologies, the stage is set for a football festival like no other. Here’s your ultimate guide to everything from format and teams to standout storylines and landmark moments.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup USA: Complete Guide to Teams, Fixtures, Venues & Prize Money
Tournament Format & Schedule
- Group Stage (June 14–26):
Eight groups of four, each playing round-robin. Each group’s top two go forward.. - Knockout Rounds:
Round of 16 (June 28–July 1), Quarter-finals (July 4–5), Semi-finals (July 8–9), and Final (July 13) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey The Sun+6MLS Soccer+6The Sun+6.
This structure mirrors the traditional FIFA World Cup, offering teams a clear, familiar path to global glory.
Host Venues & Training Bases
The tournament spans 12 venues across 11 cities in the U.S., including iconic football landmarks like the Rose Bowl (Pasadena), Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Atlanta), and Hard Rock Stadium (Miami). The final takes place at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near NYC FourFourTwo Wikipedia.
Each club has been assigned training bases, often near their match venues—for example, Real Madrid trains in Palm Beach Gardens while Bayern Munich prepares at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Florida FIFA+2The Sun+2FourFourTwo+2.
Teams & Continental Representation
Qualified Clubs
- UEFA (12): Real Madrid,
Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Juventus, Atlético, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Inter, Salzburg Wikipedia+14Sky Sports+14The Sun+14.
CONMEBOL (6): River Plate, Boca Juniors, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo.
CONCACAF (4): Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami (hosts via Supporters’ Shield), LAFC, Monterrey, Pachuca Talksport+10MLS Soccer+10Wikipedia+10.
AFC (4): Al‑Hilal, Al Ain, Urawa Reds, Ulsan Hyundai Talksport+10MLS Soccer+10ESPN.com+10.
CAF (4): Al‑Ahly, Wydad, Espérance, Mamelodi Sundowns NBC Sports+11MLS Soccer+11Sky Sports+11.
OFC (1): Auckland City Wikipedia+4MLS Soccer+4ESPN.com+4
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Inter Miami received a wildcard as winners of the 2024 Supporters’ Shield—a move FIFA confirmed before MLS playoffs concluded FourFourTwo+6Wikipedia+6Wikipedia+6.
Prize Money & Global Stakes
With a prize pool totaling nearly $1 billion, the tournament rewards sporting performance and participation:
- Group Stage win: $2 million
- Round of 16: $7.5 million
- Quarter-final: $13.125 million
- Semi-final: $21 million
- Runner-up: $30 million
- Champion: $40 million Wikipedia+4MLS Soccer+4FourFourTwo+4.
Participating clubs also share a $525 million participation fee plus potential solidarity distributions of $250 million MLS Soccer+1AP News+1.
Expect top sides like PSG or Chelsea to earn well over $100 million thanks to match wins and participation bonuses Al Jazeera.
Cutting Edge Innovations
FIFA is testing several technological advances to enhance both transparency and fan engagement:
- Referee bodycams for live broadcast
- On-field VAR feed screens
- Semi-automated offside ball sensors
- AI-powered real-time analytics
- Digital substitution via tablets Wikipedia+14The Sun+14Sky Sports+14
These trials aim to set new standards ahead of the 2026 World Cup, delivering a more immersive and open match-day experience.
Early Impressions & Challenges
Attendance & Climate
- Group-stage attendance averaged 51% capacity (~35,000 per match) FourFourTwo+1New York Post+1The Guardian.
- Host cities faced heatwaves—DC, Nashville, and Cincinnati hit 96°F heat index, affecting players and fans The Guardian.
Suggestions include scheduling games during cooler hours and utilizing smaller stadiums for group play New York Post.
Player Welfare & Scheduling
Condensed timelines have drawn criticism. Experts like Martin Keown raised concerns over fatigue and inadequate rest, while others questioned players’ ability to handle extreme conditions Talksport.
Competitive Landscape
- South American teams posted a 77% unbeaten rate in early stages The Guardian.
MLS clubs underperformed (1 win in 10 matches), suggesting a gap with elite global competition New York Post.
Road to the Final
Recent knockout round results set the stage:
- Al Hilal upset Manchester City 4–3 in Round of 16 The Sun.
- Chelsea (4–1 over Benfica) and PSG (4–0 vs Bayern) both advanced convincingly .
- Fluminense beat Borussia Dortmund; Real Madrid edged Juventus (1–0) .
The semi-final matchups:
- Chelsea vs Fluminense
- PSG vs Real Madrid
Tickets range from $45 to over $246, with finals starting at $321 The SunAl JazeeraNew York Post.
⚽ Final Showdown
As of July 13, Chelsea and Paris Saint‑Germain are set to do battle in the finals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Sky Sports+12Al Jazeera+12New York Post+12.
- Chelsea, winners in 2021, aim for their second Club World Cup crown Al Jazeera.
- PSG measure themselves on the global stage after a historic Champions League victory earlier this year .
The winner will take home $40 million, bringing their total earnings well beyond $125 million Al Jazeera.
Broader Impact & Future Outlook
Strategic Benefits
- A warm-up for U.S. audiences before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- A test-bed for logistical, technological, and environmental strategies AP News+1FourFourTwo+1The Sun.
- A global showcase of club football’s evolving landscape.
Criticisms & Adjustments
- Sparse early attendances highlight the need for better venue selection and scheduling NBC Sports.
- Calls for timing tweaks to combat heat.
Discussions around calendar congestion and player welfare will influence future editions The Guardian+2Talksport+2New York Post+2
Final Thoughts
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is more than a football tournament—it’s a global event that showcases elite clubs, pioneering technologies, and U.S. football culture while grappling with big logistical and welfare questions. With Chelsea vs PSG as the headline final, player fatigue, attendance trends, and innovation trials will shape how the tournament evolves.
It may be the ultimate measure of international club supremacy now—and a blueprint for global football’s future.
FAQs
Q: When and where is the final?
A: July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ .
Q: Who qualified from the CONCACAF region?
A: Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Monterrey, Pachuca, and Inter Miami (host slot) Sky Sports.
Q: How much prize money is on offer?
A: Champions get $40 million; total prize pool is close to $1 billion MLS Soccer+1Sky Sports+1.
Q: Where can I watch matches?
A: Globally via DAZN, with UK coverage on Channel 5
