2025 FIFA Club World Cup: 32-Team Format Brings Historic Expansion to United States

A New Era: The FIFA Club World Cup Expands

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup isn’t just another entry in the history books—it’s a big leap for global club football. For the first time, 32 teams from all around the globe will battle for glory, packing the schedule with 63 matches between June 14 and July 13, 2025, in the buzzing stadiums of the United States. If you’re used to the old Club World Cup with only a handful of clubs, this new format is almost unrecognizable—think World Cup but with the cream of the club scene instead of national teams.

The setup will feel familiar to football fans: eight groups, four teams each. That means more games, more drama, and plenty of chances for underdogs to surprise. UEFA (Europe) leads the pack, claiming 12 slots, which means the draw throws up the rare sight of two European heavyweights sharing a group. The group stage already promises some attention-grabbing clashes—like Inter Miami facing off against mighty Al Ahly in Group A, Bayern Munich kicking off their campaign against Auckland City in Group C, and Paris Saint-Germain squaring up with Atlético Madrid in Group B.

Who Made the Cut and Where the Action Unfolds

So, how did these clubs snag a ticket to the big show? Each continent’s top competitions sent champions and highly ranked teams. From Africa and Asia, each get four representatives—three continental champs and one based on club ranking. South America brings six, reflecting their deep football roots, while Concacaf earns four spots for their champions. Europe dominates as expected, sending 12 clubs (four recent Champions League winners, plus eight strong performers). Oceania is represented by a single top-ranked team, and as hosts, the U.S. gets a bonus spot.

The stadium list reads like a who’s who of American sports architecture: Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, LA’s legendary Rose Bowl, and Seattle’s Lumen Field, just to name a few. In total, fans can catch matches at 12 venues spread coast to coast. MetLife Stadium will stage the feisty Palmeiras vs. Porto in Group A, while Seattle’s own Sounders take on Botafogo at their home turf, and Chelsea meets Club León down in Atlanta.

Preparation and pageantry also get a nod, with the tournament ball catching plenty of eyes. It features a pearlescent finish, splashed with blocky, jagged shapes and reimagined American flag elements—red, white, and blue, just in case there was any doubt where the tournament is landing this year.

The draw and schedule came with strict rules to keep things interesting. For example, no two clubs from the same association (that’s country, basically) can lock horns in the group round. Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders, carrying the flag for U.S. club football, were specifically placed in the fourth slot in Groups A and B.

So, what matchups stand out early? If you’re hunting for the must-watch games, circle Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly and Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City—both are set to spark fireworks. Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid promise European intrigue, while regional clashes like Palmeiras vs. Porto or Chelsea vs. Club León showcase the depth this tournament now boasts. And for fans in the Pacific Northwest, Botafogo visiting Seattle couldn’t be more tailor-made.

With 32 teams and a World Cup-style schedule, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises a summer of surprises, rivalries, and genuine global flavor. Big names, dark horses, and plenty of home-grown American energy are all set for center stage.