Your Guide to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Format, Teams
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup officially kicks off this Saturday in the United States, launching a brand-new era for the tournament. With a revamped structure, 32 qualified teams, and a wave of international attention, this edition marks a major shift in how global club football is showcased.
A New Format and Larger Scale
This year, the Club World Cup will move from its previous seven-team, annual format to a 32-team tournament that will take place once every four years.
The month-long event mirrors the FIFA Men’s World Cup structure and aims to crown the best club team in the world. The decision to expand the tournament was first announced in 2019 and has since drawn both praise and criticism for its ambition and timing.
Who’s Playing and How They Qualified
Clubs from all six international football confederations—UEFA (Europe), CONMEBOL (South America), AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America), and OFC (Oceania)—have secured places in the tournament.
Here’s how qualification worked:
- UEFA (Europe): 12 clubs qualified based on Champions League results from 2020–21 to 2023–24. Each country can send a maximum of two clubs, unless more have won the Champions League.
- CONMEBOL (South America): 6 teams earned spots through Copa Libertadores performances.
- AFC, CAF, and CONCACAF: 4 clubs each, qualified through their respective Champions League equivalents.
- OFC (Oceania): 1 spot went to the best-performing team across four seasons.
- USA (Host nation): Received an additional team slot.
Notable qualified clubs include:
- Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA)
- Red Bull Salzburg (listed as FC Salzburg due to FIFA sponsorship rules)
Broadcasters and Sponsors
Aramco and Saudi Arabia’s PIF (Public Investment Fund) are the tournament’s headline sponsors, signaling strong financial backing.
In the United Kingdom, Channel 5 will broadcast 23 matches live, thanks to a deal with DAZN. This makes the event accessible to a wide audience and boosts its global reach.
Ongoing Concerns Over Scheduling and Player Welfare
Despite the excitement, the tournament faces ongoing backlash over calendar congestion. FIFA is under pressure from top European leagues and the global players’ union, FIFPRO, for pushing the limits of player capacity.
Key concerns include:
- Only five weeks separate the final and the start of the Premier League 2025–26 season.
- Players such as Rodri (Man City) and Alisson Becker (Liverpool) have spoken out about fatigue and rising injury risks.
- Former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne criticized governing bodies for ignoring player concerns: “Money speaks louder than the players’ voices,” he said.
FIFA has responded by emphasizing that the Club World Cup only accounts for a small percentage of annual matches and announced a task force on player welfare, led by Arsène Wenger. This group will consult globally on how to balance elite competition with health and recovery needs.
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