History of the FIFA Club World Cup
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks a significant milestone in international club football, introducing an expanded format and a new host nation. Scheduled from June 14 to July 13, 2025, this tournament will be the first to feature 32 teams and the first to be held in the United States. With 12 host stadiums and a star-studded lineup, the event promises to be a global celebration of the sport.
Established in 2000, the FIFA Club World Cup was conceived to determine the world’s best club team. Initially held every year, the tournament featured champions from each of FIFA’s six continental confederations, plus the league champion from the host nation. The competition was restructured in 2005 to its current format, featuring the same number of teams but with a more streamlined structure.
Over the years, the tournament has been dominated by European and South American clubs. Real Madrid holds the record with five titles, while clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Corinthians have also claimed the trophy. The 2025 edition, however, introduces a new era with an expanded format and a fresh approach to global club competition.
Host Cities and Venues
Matches will be held across 12 venues in 11 cities throughout the United States. These cities were selected to showcase the country’s growing soccer culture and to build anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Confirmed Host Cities and Venues:
- Atlanta, Georgia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000 capacity)
- Charlotte, North Carolina – Bank of America Stadium (75,000 capacity)
- Cincinnati, Ohio – TQL Stadium (26,000 capacity)
- East Rutherford, New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (82,500 capacity), venue for the final on July 13
- Los Angeles, California – Rose Bowl (88,500 capacity)
- Miami Gardens, Florida – Hard Rock Stadium (65,000 capacity), host of the opening match
- Nashville, Tennessee – GEODIS Park (30,000 capacity)
- Orlando, Florida – Camping World Stadium (65,000 capacity) and Inter&Co Stadium (25,000 capacity)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Lincoln Financial Field (69,000 capacity)
- Seattle, Washington – Lumen Field (69,000 capacity)
- Washington, D.C. – Audi Field (20,000 capacity)
These venues were chosen to provide a diverse and accessible experience for fans across the nation. Each city has a rich soccer culture, and the selected stadiums are known for their world-class facilities and passionate fan bases.
Participating Clubs
Thirty two teams from around the globe will participate, each representing the pinnacle of club football in their respective continents. This expanded format includes:
12 teams from Europe
4 teams from South America
4 teams from Africa
4 teams from Asia
4 teams from North and Central America
2 teams from Oceania
2 teams from the host nation, the United States
Notable clubs participating include:
- Real Madrid (Spain) – A record five-time Club World Cup champions, Real Madrid continues to be a dominant force in European football.
- Manchester City (England) – The 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League winners, showcasing the strength of English football.
- Flamengo (Brazil) – A powerhouse in South American football, bringing flair and passion to the tournament.
- Boca Juniors (Argentina) – One of the most successful clubs in South American history, known for their passionate fan base.
- Seattle Sounders FC (USA) – The 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup winners, representing Major League Soccer on the global stage.
- Inter Miami CF (USA) – Led by global superstar Lionel Messi, Inter Miami brings international attention to the tournament
These clubs will compete in a round-robin group stage, followed by knockout rounds leading to the final. Expanding the format aims to provide more teams with the opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage.
Tournament Format
The 2025 Club World Cup introduces a new structure to accommodate the increased number of teams:
The event kicks off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 14th, with the Group Stage. Eight groups of four teams each, playing in a single-match round-robin format that runs from June 14th through June 26th, at 12 venues throughout the United States.
Round of 16 runs from June 28th to July 1st. Matches will take place in 5 cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando and Philadelphia.
Quarter Finals on July 4th and July 5th in Atlanta, NJ/NY (MetLife Stadium), Orlando and Philadelphia. Semi finals at MetLife Stadium on July 8th and July 9th. The tournament final will be played at MetLife Stadium on July 13th 2025.
This format aligns with that of the FIFA World Cup, ensuring a familiar structure for fans and teams alike.
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Cultural and Economic Impact
Club World Cup 2025 is expected to have a significant impact on both the cultural and economic landscapes of the United States. FIFA has committed to investing $1 million in each of the 11 host cities to support local sports programs and infrastructure. This initiative aims to leave a lasting legacy by promoting youth participation in soccer and improving facilities across the nation. For full details you can visit the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup site.
The tournament also serves as a precursor to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be paid in multiple locations throughout North America.
