There is a total of 32 FIFA Club World Cup Teams, split into 8 groups of 4. Early on, experts and fans picked their favourites. However, as with every high-stakes tournament, you never know when an upset is just around the corner. Study top teams to watch and star players from every club.
FIFA Club World Cup Teams
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – Teams
Group A
| Position | Team |
| 1 | Palmeiras |
| 2 | FC Porto |
| 3 | Al Ahly FC |
| 4 | FC Inter Miami |
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Palmeiras is a São Paulo outfit and one of Brazil’s most successful clubs. In the 2024 season, they secured the Campeonato Paulista title and finished second in the Série A. For the 2025 campaign, they got off to a strong start. The team had the league’s top scorer, José Manuel López (22 goals), and also one of the most exciting young Brazilian talents, Estêvão, set to join Chelsea after the Club World Cup for € 34 million.
FC Porto (Portugal)
FC Porto has been a dominant force in Portuguese football for decades. In 2023/24, they fell back a bit, finishing 3rd and are also hovering around the same spot for the 2024/25 season. This year, they were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League knockout phase, losing to AS Roma 4-3 on aggregate. Nevertheless, they are a formidable team, hailed as the favourite in this group. The squad features Diogo Costa in goal, Alan Varela in midfield, as well as a goal-scoring Machine in Samu Aghehowa.
Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
Al Ahly is not just Egypt’s, but also Africa’s most decorated club. In the 2023–24 season, they clinched their 44th Egyptian Premier League title and also won the CAF Champions League. This year, led by Emam Ashour, they won the Egyptian Super Cup while remaining in the hunt for their 45th Premier League title as well as the CAF crown.
Inter Miami CF (USA)
The Florida team is co-owned by David Beckham and has been the fastest-growing brand in US football. By signing Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, Inter Miami became one of the most followed teams worldwide. This year, they squeezed past Los Angeles FC in the Quarter-Finals and will be in the hunt for the MLS Crown. The old Barcelona core might just surprise you once more.
Group B
| Position | Team |
| 1 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2 | Atletico Madrid |
| 3 | Botafogo |
| 4 | Seattle Sounders FC |
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
PSG have been the dominant force in French football, winning all but one league title since 2018. Even though they lost their frontman Kylian Mbappe, Luis Enrique’s side clinched the 2024/25 Ligue 1 title with games to spare. Ousmane Dembele has been in sublime form with Bradley Barcola, Achraf Hakimi and newcomer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia developing one of the deadliest striking forces in European football. They knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa from the Champions League, en route to the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals.
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Under their manager, Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid has been one of the three best teams in Spain for more than a decade. The 2024/25 campaign started out well for them, only to see a dip in form during the most crucial games. They lost to crosstown rivals Real in the Champions League knockouts and have fallen to 3rd in La Liga. Still, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth are a force to be reckoned with, providing a tough challenge for every opponent Atleti faces.
Botafogo (Brazil)
Botafogo are the reigning Brazilian Série A champions, but have started their title defence slowly, hovering around mid-table early in the season. Coached by Renato Paiva, Botafogo have stability in the back with Igor Jesus and Jefferson Savarino bolstering their attack.
Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
The Seattle Sounders were strong contenders in the MLS Western Conference last year. They reached the conference finals in 2024 but are struggling in 2025, currently not in the playoff picture after the first part of this season. Notable players from the Sounders’ squad include winger Pedro de la Vega, Jordan Morris, and Albert Rusnak, among others.
Group C
| Position | Team |
| 1 | FC Bayern Munich |
| 2 | Auckland City FC |
| 3 | Boca Juniors |
| 4 | SL Benfica |
Bayern (Germany)
Bayern Munich lost out on the Bundesliga crown for the first time in a while last year. However, 2024/25 should mark redemption as they are atop the table with only a few matchdays remaining in 2025. Despite a decent dip in form and an exit from the UEFA Champions League ¼ Finals, courtesy of Inter Milan, Vincent Kompany’s squad remains one of Europe’s football titans. Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and Manuel Neuer are the core pieces of the squad with plenty of talent surrounding them on the pitch.
SL Benfica (Portugal)
Benfica finished 2nd in the Primeira Liga last year and are in a ferocious battle for supremacy in 2025. They are tied with Sporting, last year’s champion and will seek to power through in the closing stages of the campaign. In the Champions League, they were moderately successful, getting bounced by the mighty Barcelona. Vangelis Pavlidis is their offensive leader, already with 25 goals this season. Under Bruno Lage, who took over in September 2024, Benfica have shown an improvement over last year, en route to becoming the strongest Portuguese club once again.
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Boca Juniors is competing in the Argentine Liga Profesional and the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. This is a legendary team, one of the two most famous squads from Argentina. Fans will see some familiar faces, such as Edinson Cavani and Sergio Romero, representing the Argentine squad. Pair rich history of the club with the likes of Miguel Merentiel and Milton Gimenez at the front, and Boca Juniors will definitely be looking to take advantage of the available opportunities in Group C.
Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
Auckland City FC continues to dominate the New Zealand National League and is also the defending OFC Champions League champion. Coming in as outsiders, they will seek to put Oceanic football on the map and catch favourites off guard.
Group D
| Position | Team |
| 1 | CR Flamengo |
| 2 | Espérance Sportive de Tunis |
| 3 | Chelsea FC |
| 4 | TBA |
CR Flamengo (Brazil)
Managed by Filipe Luis, a former Chelsea player, CR Flamengo began this season strongly. They stand atop the table during the early stages of the Série A, eager to improve on a 3rd place finish last year. Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Pedro, Gerson and Wesley are the top players to watch. Many experts think that this team could be one of the ‘Dark Horses’.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
The most successful Tunisian club in history is amidst a tight battle for the 2025 domestic crown, tied for points before the end of the season. The club lost a heartbreaker against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League Quarter-finals this year, meaning that the Club World Cup could carry extra value to them. All in all, Maher Kanzari will bring one of Africa’s most successful clubs. Players like Youcef Belaili and Mohamed Amine Tougai are the ones to watch.
Chelsea FC (England)
Not a lot was expected out of Enzo Maresca’s first season with ‘the Blues’. The newly appointed manager, however, delivered. Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and plenty of other talented youngsters allowed the Stamford Bridge side to remain in contention for a Champions League position late in the season. Despite some disappointing exits from the FA and EFL Cup tournaments, Chelsea has the UEFA Conference League Semifinals to look forward to!
TBA
FIFA disqualified the initial participant, Club Leon. Another team, yet to be announced, will take the place of the Mexican club.
Group E
| Position | Team |
| 1 | CA River Plate |
| 2 | Urawa Red Diamonds |
| 3 | CF Monterrey |
| 4 | FC Internazionale Milano |
CA River Plate (Argentina)
Always in a heated rivalry with Boca Juniors, the Buenos Aires side CA River Plate earned its spot in the Club World Cup by winning the 2023 Copa Libertadores. Marcelo Gallardo currently manages them. The club has the highest attendance numbers in Argentina, attracting 80+ thousand fans for each fixture. For 2025, they should secure a spot in the Round of 16 but face tough challenges from many opponents. Don’t miss out on youngster Franco Mastantuono and talented players like Miguel Borja, Facundo Colidio and Lucas Martinez Quarta, the stars of River Plate.
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
The Saitama side got their ticket to the CWC by winning the 2022 AFC Champions League. Last year, they finished mid-table in the J1 League but are showing signs of improvement early in the 2025 campaign. They mostly rely on local talent with a few international talents bolstering the midfield, attack, as well as defensive lines.
CF Monterrey (Mexico)
CF Monterrey, or simply Rayados, are the oldest pro football club in Mexico. They secured their spot in the World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. Coached by Martin Demichelis, they can offer a decent balance between the front and back, reaching the Final stage last year. Players to watch from CF Monterrey include Sergio Canales, Lucas Ocampos and Fidel Ambriz.
FC Internazionale Milano (Italy)
Inter filled the void left by the huge falloff that Juventus had. Simone Inzaghi’s squad has been the best Italian team over the past seasons, winning 2 Scudettos in 2021 and 2024. They are in prime shape to repeat their 2024 result, with only Napoli on their heels right before the final legs of the campaign. Furthermore, the Nerrazzuri have knocked out Bayern to reach the Semis of the Champions League. Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram lead the charge in the final third, racking up goals left and right. Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu and Federico Dimarco are also standout performers. Regardless of how the rest of 2025 unfolds, Inter Milan will enter the FIFA Club World Cup with excellent momentum.
Group F
| Position | Team |
| 1 | Fluminense FC |
| 2 | Borussia Dortmund |
| 3 | Ulsan HD |
| 4 | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
Fluminense (Brazil)
Last year was a tough one for Fluminense. They only managed a 13th-place finish in the Brazilian Serie A, but won the Recopa Sudamericana and reached the semifinals of the Campeonato Carioca. The Maracana side started 2025 way better, standing in the top echelon after a handful of games. Under the guidance of Renato Gaucho, players like Jhon Arias, Martinelli, Hercules and Ruben Lezcano could bless fans with explosive performances.
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
These past few years have been tough for the BvB. In 2024, they finished 5th, far away from the TOP 3 at home. However, 2024/25 proved to be even worse. With less than 10 games remaining, they’re not even in the picture for next year’s Champions League, stuck in 8th and a very unpredictable form. Exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Barcelona didn’t boost the confidence of the Dortmund side, either. Maybe with an entirely new campaign underway, BvB can delight their ultra-loyal fans with a great performance?
Ulsan HD (South Korea)
The only South Korean side in the tournament is here because they won the AFC Champions League in 2020 and were the best-ranked team in Asia’s four-year ranking. They are the defending champions of the K League 1, aiming to repeat their success in 2025. Competing in the Club World Cup can be an excellent opportunity for talented Ulsan youngsters and lesser-known Korean players to shine on the world’s biggest stage!
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa)
The South African Betway Premiership champions are making a strong case for a repeat performance. They are leading all teams as the season nears its concluding stages. Head Coach Miguel Cardoso will aim to utilise a lot of South African talent in order to finish in the top 2 of Group F. Teboho Mokoena, Iqraam Rayners, and Lucas Ribeiro are the top players to watch.
Group G
| Position | Team |
| 1 | Manchester City |
| 2 | Wydad AC |
| 3 | Al Ain FC |
| 4 | Juventus FC |
Manchester City (England)
Perennial Premier League winners ran out of gas for 2024/25. A season-ending injury to their midfield anchor and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri derailed the entire campaign for City. With the announcement of Kevin de Bruyne leaving the team after this year, Pep Guardiola will have plenty of headscratchers on how to regain lost glory. Erling Haaland remains an offensive juggernaut with Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden being the other main stars.
Wydad AC (Morocco)
By winning the 2021-22 CAF Champions League, Moroccan side Wydad AC from Casablanca punched their ticket to the 2025 Club World Cup in the USA. The squad is the most decorated in Moroccan football, winning 22 total Botola campaigns since 1947-48. However, they face a 3-year title drought and will seek redemption in 2024-25. Football fans should keep an eye out for Jamal Harkass, Hamza Sakhi and Cassius Mailula as the top Wydad players.
Al Ain FC (UAE)
Al Ain has been in the spotlight since the emergence of the Gulf Country football leagues. The Abu Dhabi club, coached by Vladimir Ivic, finished 3rd in the UAE Pro League last year. For this season, there has been little improvement, with Al Ain hovering around the top 5. The UAE side secured a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup by reaching the finals of the 2022 AFC Champions League. Soufiane Rahimi, Kaku and Kodjo Laba are the biggest names on the team.
Juventus FC (Italy)
Between 2012 and 2020, Juventus won all Serie A trophies, completing an astonishing 9-peat. Since then, however, they have fallen off tremendously, finishing in the top 3 only once since then. The 2024/25 campaign seems to be more of the same mediocrity for ‘The Old Lady’. The squad barely made it into the UEFA Champions League knockouts but didn’t manage to beat PSV Eindhoven on aggregate. As it stands now, only Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz and Timothy Weah can expect to stay here long-term. Juventus might arrive at the Club World Cup with a new face.
Group H
| Position | Team |
| 1 | Real Madrid C.F. |
| 2 | Al-Hilal FC |
| 3 | CF Pachuca |
| 4 | FC Salzburg |
Real Madrid C.F. (Spain)
The most decorated and famous football club in the world headlines Group H of the FIFA Club World Cup. By adding Kylian Mbappe in the offseason, the club’s president, Florentino Perez, once again solidified his status as the mastermind behind the ‘Los Blancos’ operation. However, they failed to repeat the ultimate success of 2024 and are in a very tight battle with their eternal rival, Barcelona, for La Liga supremacy. In addition, long-time coach Carlo Ancelotti seems to be leaving, so Real will need to regroup if they want to make a deep run in this tournament.
Al-Hilal FC (Saudi Arabia)
Al-Nassr might have gotten Cristiano Ronaldo, but Al-Hilal got the Saudi title in the 2023/24 season. However, their invitation to the FIFA Club World Cup of 2025 was given not because of this recent win, but because they won the 2021 AFC Champions League. Coached by Jorge Jesus, Al-Hilal has no shortage of high-profile names. Ruben Neves, Malcolm, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Bono are just some of the world-class talents on the Al-Hilal roster.
CF Pachuca (Mexico)
Winners of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, Liga MX representatives CF Pachuca, come in as an outsider in the eyes of many experts. Their 2024/25 Liga MX campaign has been very tough, with the Pachuca side only mustering a 16th-place finish. The most important players for CF Pachuca are the Brazilian John Kennedy, Oussama Idrissi and Salomon Rondon.
FC Salzburg (Austria)
Austrian Bundesliga Runners-up in 2023/24 have lost their crown for the first time since 2014. A dominant force for a decade, FC Salzburg has reached the Club World Cup thanks to the UEFA ranking. Oskar Gloukh and midfielder Luka Sučić play pivotal roles and are top players to watch.
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