The FIFA Club World Cup will undergo a major transformation in 2025, expanding to 32 teams in a revamped format. The official draw for this inaugural tournament is scheduled for December 5, 2024, in Miami, where the world’s best football clubs will discover their group-stage opponents.
The highly anticipated draw will begin at 6 p.m. GMT and will determine the eight groups of four teams that will compete in the tournament, which will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
The 16 clubs finishing in the top two places in each group will advance to the knockout phase, which will progress from the round of 16 all the way to the final, with no match for third place.
The new format marks a substantial increase from the previous edition of the tournament, which featured just seven teams. The 2025 edition will see 32 clubs, including elite teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, competing for the prestigious title.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently revealed that Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will kick off the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, on June 15.
Despite the excitement surrounding the expansion, the new format has faced criticism for the additional workload it will place on players.
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Additionally, many questions remain about the financial viability of the tournament, as its television broadcasters have yet to be announced, and only one sponsor, Chinese electronics manufacturer Hisense, has been confirmed.
FIFA’s plans for the Club World Cup extend beyond 2025, with the governing body aiming to host the tournament every four years. However, the host for the 2029 edition has not yet been determined.
The draw on December 5 will be broadcast live across the globe via FIFA.com, FIFA+, and supporting channels. By then, all 32 teams will have been confirmed, with the final qualifier being determined at the historic CONMEBOL Libertadores final on November 30, 2024.
The all-Brazilian final between Clube Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas in Buenos Aires will determine the final club to secure their place in the tournament.
Qualification for the tournament adds another layer of intrigue to this year’s CONMEBOL Libertadores final, with Atlético Mineiro aiming to secure their second Libertadores title following their triumph in 2013.
Meanwhile, Botafogo, the current leaders of the Brazilian league, are seeking their first-ever win in South America’s premier club competition.
FIFA has already confirmed the 12 stadiums that will host matches during the tournament, with Inter Miami CF set to represent the host nation and qualify as one of the 32 teams.
Additionally, Seattle Sounders FC will play all their group-stage matches at Lumen Field, known for its passionate fanbase. Hisense, the tournament’s first sponsor, was unveiled at an event in Shanghai, adding further commercial backing to the expanded tournament.
As the tournament nears, anticipation continues to build, with fans around the world eagerly awaiting to see the group-stage matchups and the thrilling clashes among football’s elite clubs.
FIFA’s goal is to make the expanded Club World Cup a premier global event, but the road ahead will require securing broadcast deals and further commercial partnerships to ensure its long-term success.
