The United States has been selected as the host country for the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, marking the first time the FIFA tournament will feature 32 teams. The decision was made during an online meeting of the FIFA Council, citing the United States’ track record in hosting global events and the opportunity to maximize synergies with the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will also be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea have secured their places in the tournament as recent winners of the UEFA Champions League. The Club World Cup will take place in June-July 2025 and will serve as a test for stadiums and operations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. FIFA is also considering granting some Club World Cup games to Canada and Mexico, the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
The Seattle Sounders FC, as the 2022 champion of the North American football region Concacaf, will also participate in the tournament. Additionally, teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America will qualify based on their performance in continental championships between 2021 and 2024.
The expansion of the Club World Cup presents a rare opportunity for fans to witness competitive games involving 12 storied European teams. The current format, featuring seven continental champions, is being replaced with a larger tournament held every four years. This presents a significant commercial opportunity for FIFA, allowing the organization to experiment with new broadcasting models, attract new sponsors, and offer substantial prize money for participating clubs.
The format for the 2025 Club World Cup is yet to be decided, but one option being considered is organizing the 32 teams into eight groups of four, guaranteeing each team at least three games. The winners of each group would then advance to the quarterfinals, potentially leading to a tournament consisting of 56 games, including a third-place match.
The 2025 Club World Cup will be the final edition of the current annual format, scheduled to take place in December 2022 in Saudi Arabia. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has prioritized the revival of the Club World Cup since his election in 2016, and the upcoming expanded tournament will provide a platform for FIFA to address commercial rights and engage in talks with the European Club Association.
Other teams that have already qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup include Palmeiras and Flamengo from Brazil, Monterrey and León from Mexico, Al-Ahly from Egypt, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, and Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia.
