The 21st edition of the Club World Cup will begin in the summer of 2025, introducing a new format. A total of 32 teams will compete, following the format seen in World Cups up to Qatar 2022. Starting in 2026, the World Cup finals held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will feature 48 teams.
The new Club World Cup format will no longer be an annual event but will occur every four years, similar to the World Cup. Out of the 32 participating teams, 29 are already confirmed for the competition scheduled for June 2025. Among them are two Italian clubs: Simone Inzaghi's Inter, the Italian champions, and Juventus, led by new coach Thiago Motta.
The other ten European teams that have qualified for the Club World Cup are: Manchester City (England, 2023 Champions League winners); Real Madrid (Spain, 2022 Champions League winners); Chelsea (England, 2021 Champions League winners); Bayern Munich (Germany); Paris Saint-Germain (France); Porto (Portugal); Benfica (Portugal); Borussia Dortmund (Germany); Atletico Madrid (Spain); and Salzburg (Austria).
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From South America, three Brazilian teams are confirmed: Palmeiras (2021 Copa Libertadores winners), Flamengo (2022 Libertadores winners), Fluminense (2023 Libertadores winners), and River Plate (Argentina). Two spots remain to be allocated, one through the 2024 Copa Libertadores and one via ranking. Four African teams will participate: Al Ahly SC (Egypt, 2021 and 2023 African Champions League winners), Wydad AC (Morocco, 2022 African Champions League winners), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
Four Asian teams will compete: Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia, 2021 Asian Champions League winners), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan, 2022 Asian Champions League winners), Ulsan (South Korea, via ranking), and Al Ain (UAE, 2023/24 Asian Champions League winners).
Three teams from North-Central America have qualified: CF Monterrey (Mexico, 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners); Seattle Sounders (USA, 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners); and Club Leon (Mexico, 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners). One spot remains to be filled. The sole representative from Oceania is Auckland City (New Zealand).
The group stage will be played from June 15 to June 26, 2025, while the knockout stage (Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals) will take place from June 27 to July 8, 2025. The final is scheduled for July 13, 2025. There will be no third-place match.
