Club World Cup: From Inter to Chelsea to Auckland City, all 32 groups at 2025 match profiled

The 2025 Club World Cup will function 32 golf equipment from throughout the globe who will undergo group levels after which knockout rounds. This differs from the earlier format, which noticed one workforce every from six continental confederations and the league champions from the host nation struggle it out.

There have been issues over the match elongating the soccer calendar and controversy over qualification standards. Inter Miami, for instance, are in after successful the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, however having misplaced within the subsequent MLS play-offs, Lionel Messi’s aspect usually are not MLS champions.

Several high-profile groups, together with Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayer Leverkusen won’t be there, however the likes of Manchester City, Inter and Real Madrid will likely be. A full clarification of the qualification standards and how one can watch the draw will be discovered right here. The draw takes place in Miami at present at 1pm ET (6pm GMT).

Below, The Athletic profiles every of the 32 groups, ranked by their place within the Opta Global Power Rankings (all information on this piece is right as of December 3, 2024). You can discover a desk with the 32 golf equipment and their world rankings on the backside of this text.

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Inter

Country: Italy

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 2

Opta Serie A Ranking: 1

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Inter’s solely Club World Cup look got here in 2011. They beat TP Mazembe 3-0 within the remaining. They acquired there after attaining the treble in 2010 underneath Jose Mourinho, successful Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. They additionally achieved one other treble again in 1965, lifting the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup, league title and European Cup.

Key Player: Lautaro Martinez

Since becoming a member of from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has scored 135 occasions in 298 matches, main Inter to seven home trophies and successful the 2023-24 Serie A golden boot.

Manchester City

Country: England

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 3

Opta Premier League Ranking: 2

How they certified: 2022-23 Champions League winners

City received the 2023 Club World Cup by defeating Fluminense 4-0 of their match debut. The Premier League’s defending champions have been one of many world’s greatest groups over the previous 15 years. They have been the primary English workforce to win a home and European cup in the identical season again in 1970 once they lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup.

Key Player: Erling Haaland

City evidently battle with out Rodri, however with him injured, Haaland is their key participant. The Norway worldwide has 107 targets in 117 appearances for the membership. Even in what has been a tough 2024-25 season, he has 17 strikes in 19 video games.

Real Madrid

Country: Spain

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 5

Opta La Liga Ranking: 1

How they certified: 2023-24 Champions League winners

Real Madrid have received essentially the most Club World Cup titles (5). In addition to being the one workforce to have received the Champions League thrice in a row two occasions, Madrid are additionally the one Spanish workforce to have performed their very own academy workforce in a cup remaining, doing so within the 1980 Copa del Rey.

Key Player: Vinicius Junior

Since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Vinicius Jr has recorded 81 targets and 60 assists in 154 matches, averaging 0.9 purpose contributions per sport.

Country: Germany

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 8

Opta Bundesliga Ranking: 1

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Bayern have received two Club World Cups, each of which adopted treble-winning campaigns in 2012-13 and 2019-20 — a feat matched solely by Barcelona. The connection between the 2 groups is in depth. In addition to assembly 16 occasions in European competitions, they have been based simply 91 days aside — Barcelona on November 28, 1899, and Bayern on February 27, 1900.

Key Player: Harry Kane

In November, Kane turned the quickest participant to succeed in 50 Bundesliga targets, taking simply 43 matches. Overall, his report at Bayern stands at 64 targets and 21 assists in 64 matches.

Paris Saint-Germain

Country: France

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 9

Opta Ligue 1 Ranking: 1

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Next summer season will mark PSG’s first look within the Club World Cup. PSG have performed in three finals on the European stage (1996-97 Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup, and 2019-20 Champions League), however have misplaced all of them. Among the UEFA golf equipment within the 2025 version, PSG are the youngest, having been based in 1970.

Key Player: Bradley Barcola

Barcola has greater than doubled his Ligue 1 purpose tally from final season (4) in simply 13 matches, scoring 10 occasions. No PSG ahead has performed extra minutes than his 1,301 throughout competitions this season.

Country: England

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 10

Opta Premier League Ranking: 4

How they certified: 2020-21 Champions League winners

Chelsea received the 2021 Club World Cup after beating Palmeiras 2-1 after additional time. However, among the many European groups set to function within the 2025 version, they’re considered one of solely two groups to have misplaced a Club World Cup remaining (Real Madrid being the opposite), after shedding 1-0 to Corinthians in 2012. Chelsea are the one workforce to have received the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup twice.

Key Player: Cole Palmer

Palmer has contributed to 54 targets in 60 matches throughout all competitions for Chelsea and is at present on a contract till 2033.

Country: Italy

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 13

Opta Serie A Ranking: 3

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Juventus have by no means participated within the Club World Cup, although they’ve lifted the Champions League twice and Europa League/UEFA Cup 3 times. They additionally loved success within the Cup Winners’ Cup (1983-84) and Intercontinental Cup (twice). Juventus have been the primary membership so as to add a star to their jersey again in 1958 to commemorate their tenth Serie A title. They now boast three stars and are simply 4 away from being eligible so as to add a fourth.

Key Player: Andrea Cambiaso

Cambiaso has performed all of Juventus’ first 19 video games this season, racking up essentially the most minutes with 1,567 throughout competitions. He has contributed two targets and two assists.

Atletico Madrid

Country: Spain

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 14

Opta La Liga Ranking: 3

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Atletico Madrid will likely be competing within the Club World Cup for the primary time, having by no means received the Champions League. They are among the many 5 groups to have received the Europa League/UEFA Cup three or extra occasions, although. While rivals of Real Madrid, Atletico have been fashioned in 1903 as a Madrid department of Athletic Club by three college students from the Basque area, which is why each groups put on pink and white stripes.

Key Player: Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann was not at Atletico once they received their two most up-to-date La Liga titles, however he’s their all-time prime scorer with 188 targets in 410 matches throughout three spells (2014-19, 2021-23 on mortgage, and 2023-present).

Country: Germany

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 20

Opta Bundesliga Ranking: 3

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

This will likely be Dortmund’s first look on the Club World Cup, however they received the Intercontinental Cup in 1997 following their Champions League triumph earlier that 12 months. Before that, Dortmund have been the primary German workforce to win a European trophy after lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1966.

Key Player: Karim Adeyemi

Adeyemi has struggled to remain match, however his 5 targets and 5 assists in eight matches throughout competitions have are available simply 510 minutes of motion. He is on observe to eclipse his greatest season at Dortmund (9 targets, six assists in 32 matches in 2022-23).

Benfica

Country: Portugal

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 21

Opta Primeira Liga Ranking: 2

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Benfica received successive European Cups in 1961 and 1962 and this will likely be their first Club World Cup. They additionally maintain the excellence of going a whole league season unbeaten and never successful the title in 1977-78, with 21 wins and 9 attracts from 30 matches. Benfica completed stage on factors with Porto however misplaced the title as Porto scored 81 targets to their 56.

Key Player: Kerem Akturkoglu

In his first season at Benfica, Akturkoglu has recorded 9 targets and 4 assists in simply 14 matches. Two of his 5 league targets have been match-winners, too.

Porto

Country: Portugal

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 23

Opta Primeira Liga Ranking: 3

How they certified: UEFA Ranking between 2021 and 2024

Porto have received the Champions League and Europa League/UEFA Cup twice, main to 2 Intercontinental Cup wins in 1987 and 2004 earlier than the Club World Cup was fashioned. Domestically, Porto have received the league 30 occasions and are the one Portuguese workforce to have received 5 league titles in a row (between 1994 and 1999).

Key Player: Samu Aghehowa (previously Omorodion)

Aghehowa joined Porto final summer season from Atletico Madrid after lacking out on a transfer to Chelsea and has scored 13 occasions in 14 video games throughout the league and Europa League, averaging a purpose each 83 minutes.

Al Hilal

Country: Saudi Arabia

Confederation: AFC

Global Power Ranking: 30

Opta Saudi Pro League Ranking: 1

How they certified: 2021 AFC Champions League winners

Al Hilal have competed within the Club World Cup 3 times, even making the ultimate of the 2022 version, the place they misplaced 5-3 to Real Madrid. They went the 2023-24 league season unbeaten, successful 31 of their 34 video games with 101 targets scored, 23 conceded and 96 factors.

Key Player: Aleksandar Mitrovic

Signed in August 2023, Mitrovic scored 40 targets in 44 matches final season and has 19 targets in 21 video games in 2024-25, together with 12 in 12 league outings.

Botafogo

Country: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Global Power Ranking: 55

Opta Brazilian Serie A Ranking: 1

How they certified: 2024 Copa Libertadores winners

Botafogo will make their Club World Cup debut subsequent summer season on the again of beating Atletico Mineiro 3-1 within the Copa Libertadores remaining final month. They maintain the report for the longest unbeaten run within the Brazilian prime flight, going 42 matches with out a loss between 1977 and 1978. They didn’t win the title in both 12 months, although.

Key Player: Jefferson Savarino

Savarino recorded 12 targets and 13 assists in 52 matches throughout the 2023-24 season, together with three targets within the knockout rounds of the Copa Libertadores.

Palmeiras

Country: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Global Power Ranking: 58

Opta Brazilian Serie A Ranking: 2

How they certified: 2021 Copa Libertadores winners

Palmeiras have featured twice within the Club World Cup, notably taking Chelsea to additional time earlier than shedding 2-1 in late 2021. The Brazilian membership received one of many first membership tournaments involving groups from totally different continents. The Copa Rio, in 1951, included Austria Vienna, Sporting CP, Juventus and Red Star (Crvena Zvezda). In a two-game remaining, Palmeiras beat Juventus in a single and drew the opposite to win the title.

Key Player: Estevao Willian

The 17-year-old, who is ready to hitch Chelsea subsequent summer season, racked up 18 targets and 12 assists throughout the 2023-24 season, averaging a purpose contribution each 98.6 minutes.

Flamengo

Country: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Global Power Ranking: 67

Opta Brazilian Serie A Ranking: 3

How they certified: 2022 Copa Libertadores winners

One of essentially the most profitable South American golf equipment, Flamengo have made two earlier Club World Cup appearances, shedding the 2019 remaining to Liverpool (1-0 after additional time) and ending third by beating Al Ahly 4-2 in 2023. Flamengo’s full title is Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which means “Flamengo Rowing Club,” with the membership initially being fashioned in 1895 as a rowing membership and never taking part in their first soccer match till 1912.

Key Player: Pedro

Pedro scored 30 occasions in 43 matches for Flamengo throughout the 2024 season, guiding them to the Copa do Brasil. He received the golden boot on the 2023 Club World Cup with 4 targets.

River Plate

Country: Argentina

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Global Power Ranking: 99

Opta Liga Profesional Ranking: 2

How they certified: CONMEBOL rating between 2021 and 2024

River Plate have competed twice on the Club World Cup. They made the 2015 remaining, shedding 3-0 to Barcelona, earlier than ending third within the 2018 version by beating Kashima Antlers 4-0. They are among the many most profitable South American golf equipment with 56 trophies, together with 37 league titles.

Key Player: Claudio Echeverri

Echeverri, who is ready to hitch Manchester City in January, has seemed mature past his years. The 18-year-old’s 2,215 minutes was the second-highest amongst River Plate midfielders final season, solely beneath Nacho Fernandez (2,342).

Al Ahly

Country: Egypt

Confederation: CAF

Global Power Ranking: 104

Opta Egyptian Premier League Ranking: 1

How they certified: 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24 CAF Champions League winners

Al Ahly have loved affordable success within the Club World Cup, making it to 6 third-place playoffs (4 wins) in 9 appearances. They ended final December’s version in third by beating Urawa Reds 4-2. In the final 18 accomplished top-flight seasons, Al Ahly have received 15 league titles, with the opposite three going to their rivals, Zamalek.

Key Player: Wessam Abou Ali

Striker Abou Ali recorded 20 targets and 6 assists final season and has began this marketing campaign with 4 targets in seven appearances.

Inter Miami

Country: USA

Confederation: CONCACAF

Global Power Ranking: 114

Opta Major League Soccer Ranking: 3

How they certified: 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners

On the again of their first league protect, Inter Miami will compete of their first Club World Cup subsequent summer season. Founded solely in 2018, Miami would be the youngest membership on the match. In reality, they’re about the identical age because the youngest of marquee star Lionel Messi’s kids, Ciro, born in 2018.

Key Player: Lionel Messi

Messi recorded 20 targets and 10 assists within the 2024 MLS common season regardless of taking part in simply 19 matches, averaging a purpose contribution each 49.5 minutes. Miami misplaced solely a kind of video games in comparison with three of the 15 he missed.

Country: USA

Confederation: CONCACAF

Global Power Ranking: 143

Opta Major League Soccer Ranking: 5

How they certified: 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winner

This will likely be Seattle’s second look on the Club World Cup, having misplaced 1-0 to Al Ahly within the 2023 version. The Sounders are the one MLS membership to have ever featured on the Club World Cup.

Key Player: Stefan Frei

Seattle captain Frei has saved 30 clear sheets in MLS during the last two seasons — together with the playoffs — greater than every other goalkeeper on this interval.

Monterrey

Country: Mexico

Confederation: CONCACAF

Global Power Ranking: 144

Opta Liga MX Ranking: 3

How they certified: 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners

Monterrey have featured 5 occasions within the Club World Cup, ending third twice (2012 and 2019).

Key Player: Sergio Canales

Former Real Betis stalwart Canales has been Monterrey’s greatest participant since becoming a member of in July 2023, recording 22 targets and 7 assists in 57 matches.

Red Bull Salzburg

Country: Austria

Confederation: UEFA

Global Power Ranking: 151

Opta Austrian Bundesliga Ranking: 2

How they certified: UEFA rating from 2021 to 2024

Red Bull Salzburg have by no means participated within the Club World Cup. Their greatest lead to Europe over the previous decade has been reaching the spherical of 16 of the Champions League in 2021-22. Domestically, Salzburg received 10 league titles in a row between 2013-14 and 2022-23 however misplaced out to Sturm Graz final season.

Key Player: Kamil Piatkowski

Salzburg have struggled with accidents this season, however Piatkowski has been ever-present at centre-back and is the one participant to have featured in all 25 of their matches throughout competitions.

Boca Juniors

Country: Argentina

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Global Power Ranking: 155

Opta Liga Profesional Ranking: 5

How they certified: CONMEBOL rating between 2021 and 2024

Boca have performed in a single Club World Cup beforehand, making the 2008 remaining, which they misplaced 4-2 to AC Milan.

They have received the Copa Libertadores on six events and stay the one workforce to have received the match with out a single loss, having carried out so in 1978.

Key Player: Edinson Cavani

Former PSG and Manchester United striker Cavani scored 20 occasions in 38 matches final season, his first at Boca, aged 37.

Fluminense

Country: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Global Power Ranking: 166

Opta Brazilian Serie A Ranking: 8

How they certified: 2023 Copa Libertadores winners

Fluminense’s solely Club World Cup look got here final December as they misplaced 4-0 to Manchester City within the remaining. The membership’s first president was an Englishman, Oscar Cox, who performed an element in founding the membership in July 1902. Cox remained within the function till December 1904.

Key Player: Ganso

The former Sevilla midfielder was Fluminense’s chief playmaker in 2024, recording 10 assists and 4 targets in 51 matches.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Country: South Africa

Confederation: CAF

Global Power Ranking: 218

Opta South African Premiership Ranking: 1

How they certified: CAF rating between 2021 and 2024

The Sundowns have featured as soon as within the Club World Cup, shedding the 2016 fifth-place playoff 4-1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai. The workforce additionally holds the report for essentially the most South African league titles with 17, 4 forward of the Kaizer Chiefs in second.

Key Player: Lucas Ribeiro

Ribeiro, 26, has managed seven targets and 5 assists in underneath 1,200 minutes of motion this season, contributing to extra targets than every other Sundowns participant.

Esperance de Tunis

Country: Tunisia

Confederation: CAF

Global Power Ranking: 325

Opta Tunisian Ligue Ranking: 1

How they certified: CAF rating between 2021 and 2024

Esperance have featured in three Club World Cups, taking part in within the fifth-place playoff on all three events and successful twice. They have the third-most CAF Champions League trophies with 4, behind Al Ahly (12), TP Mazembe and Zamalek (5 every).

Key Player: Youcef Belaili

The Algerian winger has had a improbable begin to the 2024-25 season, with seven targets and eight assists in 11 matches after becoming a member of from MC Alger.

Ulsan HD

Country: South Korea

Confederation: AFC

Global Power Ranking: 360

Opta Okay League 1 Ranking: 2

How they certified: AFC rating between 2021 and 2024

Ulsan have competed in two Club World Cups, shedding the fifth-place match on each events. Since their most up-to-date look within the competitors, they’ve received every of the final three Okay League 1 titles with a minimum of a five-point buffer over the workforce in second place.

Key Player: Martin Adam

Adam, who turned heads whereas that includes for Hungary as an alternative at Euro 2024, scored 5 occasions within the AFC Champions League final season regardless of beginning solely 4 video games as Ulsan made the semi-finals.

Pachuca

Country: Mexico

Confederation: CONCACAF

Global Power Ranking: 376

Opta Liga MX Ranking: 9

How they certified: 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners

Pachuca will make their fifth Club World Cup look subsequent summer season and first since 2017 once they completed third — their greatest exhibiting within the competitors — by beating Al Jazira 4-1. The membership have been initially generally known as Pachuca Athletic Club.

Key Player: Salomon Rondon

The former Newcastle United and Everton striker joined Pachuca in January and has scored 25 occasions in 44 matches.

Urawa Red Diamonds

Country: Japan

Confederation: AFC

Global Power Ranking: 392

Opta J1 League Ranking: 9

How they certified: 2022 AFC Champions League winners

The Red Diamonds have featured in three Club World Cups, together with the 2023 version once they misplaced to Al Ahly 4-2 within the third-place playoff. They did end third in 2007, although, by defeating ES Sahel on penalties. They have received the J1 League simply as soon as in 2006 however have lifted the AFC Champions League title on three events (2007, 2017 and 2022).

Key Player: Ryoma Watanabe

The 28-year-old winger was the one Urawa participant to begin all 37 league video games in 2024. Watanabe contributed six targets and 5 assists as properly.

Leon

Country: Mexico

Confederation: CONCACAF

Global Power Ranking: 405

Opta Liga MX Ranking: 11

How they certified: 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners

Leon featured on the 2023 Club World Cup, shedding to Urawa Red Diamonds within the second spherical. One of the oldest golf equipment in Mexico, Leon have been the primary to be conferred the “campeonismo” title awarded to groups that win the league and cup in the identical season, doing so in 1949.

Key Player: Stiven Mendoza

Mendoza has offered targets from the left wing, scoring 4 occasions in 12 matches since becoming a member of from Adana Demirspor in July.

Wydad Casablanca

Country: Morocco

Confederation: CAF

Global Power Ranking: 565

Opta Botola Pro Ranking: 4

How they certified: 2021-22 CAF Champions League winners

Wydad performed within the 2017 and 2022 Club World Cups, shedding to Urawa Red Diamonds and Al Hilal within the fifth-place play-off and second spherical respectively. They have received the Moroccan league a report 22 occasions, seven greater than Union Sportive Marocaine in second, and received three CAF Champions League titles.

Key Player: Pedrinho

The 20-year-old Brazilian has acquired solely 297 minutes of motion to this point this season however has proven severe potential, scoring as soon as.

Al Ain

Country: United Arab Emirates

Confederation: AFC

Global Power Ranking: 679

Opta UAE Pro League Ranking: 5

How they certified: 2023-24 AFC Champions League winners

Al Ain will likely be taking part in their second Club World Cup subsequent summer season, having made the 2018 remaining, which they misplaced 4-1 to Real Madrid. They stay the one workforce from the UAE to win the AFC Champions League, having lifted the title in 2003 and misplaced in two finals (2005 and 2016) earlier than their success in 2024.

Key Player: Soufiane Rahimi

Rahimi, who has 10 targets in 25 caps for Morocco, was essential to Al Ain’s newest AFC Champions League success. The 27-year-old scored 13 targets and assisted six extra in 13 matches in that match.

Auckland City

Country: New Zealand

Confederation: OFC

Global Power Ranking: 4083

Opta New Zealand National League Ranking: 1

How they certified: Best-ranked OFC Champions League winner between 2021 and 2024

Auckland City are the lowest-ranked workforce at subsequent 12 months’s Club World Cup, greater than 3,000 spots decrease than the next-lowest membership. They have, nonetheless, made extra appearances on the match than every other workforce with 11, with their greatest end coming in 2014 once they beat Cruz Azul on penalties to complete third.

Key Player: Stipe Ukich

How lots of Auckland City’s gamers will return for subsequent season stays to be seen, however Ukich, who turns 18 subsequent month, impressed, scoring 10 occasions in 38 matches in all competitions final season.

(Top photographs: Getty Images)