The stage is set for the 2025 Club World Cup which will take place in the United States. An expanded tournament will now include 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. The draw for these groups took place on Thursday in Miami and we now know who will face who. Inter Miami opens on June 15 against Al Ahly and the tournament closes on July 13 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Let’s take a look at the groups, the group of death and rank the first five matches of the group stage:
Groups
Group A
- Palm trees
- Port
- Al Ahly
- InterMiami
Group B
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Atletico Madrid
- Botafogo
- Seattle Sounders
Group C
- Bayern Munich
- Auckland City FC
- Boca Juniors
- Benfica
Group D
- Flemish
- ES Tunisia
- Chelsea
- Club Leon
Group E
- Flat River
- Urawa Red Diamonds
- CF Monterrey
- Between
Group F
- Fluminense
- Borussia Dortmund
- Ulsan HD
- Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Group G
- Manchester City
- Wydad AC
- Al Ain FC
- Juventus
Group H
- Real Madrid
- Al-Hilal
- CF Pachuca
- RB Salzburg
Is there a group of dead people?
If we must remember that since the draw had to separate the UEFA teams, this does not mean that one group does not seem more difficult to get out of than the other. At first glance, Group B and Group C are the ones that stand out, but Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and the Seattle Sounders narrowly edge out a group consisting of Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica. It’s likely that PSG and Atleti are the teams that will come out of this group, but if anyone messes up, it’s time to be on alert.
For a passionate, unapologetic and informed discussion about the USMNT and the state of the American game, listen to the Call It What You Want podcast! Download and follow Call It What You Want on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!
5. Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly
Lionel Messi, new manager Javier Mascherano and Inter Miami may not have the biggest headlining match possible against Al Ahly, but to kick off this star-studded tournament they will be sure to bring a spectacle . This is a high-profile affair and only the second time an MLS team has been involved following the inclusion of the Seattle Sounders after winning the Concacaf Champions Cup and participating in 2022. It’s a milestone in history and the first step is always the most important. A.
4. Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal
The Galacticos taking on one of the best teams in the Saudi Pro League and former Barcelona player Joao Cancelo is also a big deal. The Saudi Pro League has already submitted an offer for Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and could certainly come and sign more Real Madrid players in the future. With the purchasing power to compete with the best in the world, there is no way to rule out Al-Hilal adding another star to their ranks.
3. Chelsea Vs. Flamengo
Brazilian teams always give their best at the Club World Cup and Flamengo are no strangers to this tournament. This is their second appearance in the last four years and they will face a new Chelsea side. With the Blues on the rise under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, participating in a competition like this will be a good learning experience.
2. Bayern Munich vs. Benfica
They may have played in the Champions League recently, but in another group where dropped points can make all the difference, Harry Kane against Angel Di Maria will be a moment. These teams are no strangers to competing at a high level and performing on the world stage, while also boasting budding global stars.
1. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid
The group of death kickoff is the most important match as the loser between PSG and Atleti will end up behind the eight. In a group with Botafogo and the Sounders, there is no guarantee of being undefeated in all matches in the group stage, which is why the points lost will be important. The post-Mbappé era hasn’t been kind to PSG, but they have plenty of time to figure things out ahead of the Club World Cup.
Key dates for the Club World Cup
- June 15: Opening match at Hard Rock Stadium
- July 13: Final at MetLife Stadium
Club World Cup venues
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
- Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- GEODIS Park, Nashville
- Camping World Stadium, Orlando
- Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Lumen Field, Seattle
- Audi Field, Washington DC
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
