FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Format, History & What to Expect

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be the biggest Club World Cup ever. Transitioning to a 32-team tournament held in the summer, it now becomes a month-long international club football festival. The United States will welcome the Club World Cup from June 15 to July 13, 2025, and each confederation will get an opportunity to display international competition.

Despite its start in 2000, the Club World Cup hasn’t been the favored tournament of many over the years.

It hasn’t always been treated with first-class hype and grandeur; it still brings outstanding moments and uncharacteristic game offerings that create links to the international game. Thus, with the level of expansion in 2025 and subsequent prize money, FIFA can give the tournament the legitimacy it’s desired for so long.

Here’s everything you need to know about 2025—champion ns of the past, highlights of years gone by, and more to prepare for the first kick.

New Format: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Explained

The 2025 Club World Cup will feature 32 teams instead of the typical 7-team mini-tournament that sometimes felt like a formality. Here’s what we know so far:

• Host Country: United States
• Dates: June 15 – July 13, 2025
• Total Teams: 32
• Group Stage: Eight groups of four teams
• Knockouts: The top two teams from each group will advance to a 16-team Round of 16.

All knockout matches will be single elimination, and there won’t be a third place match. FIFA has designed the format to resemble the men’s World Cup, hoping to raise stakes and audience engagement across the board.

Why the Expansion?

FIFA has long wanted to create a club tournament with the global reach and commercial value of the World Cup. By expanding to 32 teams and placing it in a summer slot, they’re positioning the 2025 edition as a test case for future cycles.

Although some contend that there is too much football, particularly given the busy schedule, the enlarged format gives non-European clubs more chances to compete on a major scale.  Fans can also witness infrequent matches like Al Ahly vs. Manchester City or Bayern vs. Palmeiras.

Most Successful Clubs in Club World Cup History

Real Madrid leads the pack with five titles:

Team	Titles	Years Won
Real Madrid	5	2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
Barcelona	3	2009, 2011, 2015
Bayern Munich	2	2013, 2020
Corinthians	2	2000, 2012
Multiple Teams	1	AC Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Internacional, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, São Paulo

These clubs reflect the continental dominance of Europe and South America, though other regions have made historic runs.

Year-by-Year Winners

Year	Winner
2000	Corinthians
2001–2004	Not Held
2005	São Paulo
2006	Internacional
2007	AC Milan
2008	Manchester United
2009	Barcelona
2010	Inter Milan
2011	Barcelona
2012	Corinthians
2013	Bayern Munich
2014	Real Madrid
2015	Barcelona
2016	Real Madrid
2017	Real Madrid
2018	Real Madrid
2019	Liverpool
2020	Bayern Munich
2021	Chelsea
2022	Real Madrid
2023	Manchester City
2024	Not Held

Legendary Moments from Past Tournaments

2005: São Paulo’s Hero

Goalkeeper Rogério Ceni made key saves against Liverpool and even scored in the semifinals, becoming a national hero in Brazil.

2006: Internacional vs Barcelona

Adriano’s lone goal shocked a Barcelona side stacked with Ronaldinho, Iniesta, and Xavi. It showed South American grit could still topple European finesse.

2010: TP Mazembe’s Miracle Run

The Congolese club became the first African team to reach the final, eliminating Pachuca and Internacional. Robert Kidiaba’s goal-line celebration became an icon of joy.

2011: Messi vs Neymar

However, when Messi and Neymar faced off in the 2011 Club World Cup final, it was more than just a tournament victory for Messi’s Barcelona, which defeated Santos 4-0. It was a foreshadowing that Neymar would one day join Barca.

2023: City’s Quintuple

A remarkable five-trophy season was finished off by Manchester City’s victory in 2023.  The fight that broke out between Felipe Melo and Kyle Walker at the Club World Cup final made headlines.

The Road Ahead: What to Expect in 2025

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 brings a long list of expectations:

• Global Matchups: More intercontinental games in a meaningful format.
• Increased Viewership: Held in the US during the summer, it avoids overlap with most domestic leagues.
• Commercial Boom: New sponsorships, media rights, and fan experiences.
• Tactical Variety: Different footballing cultures clashing over four weeks.

Some unknowns remain—how clubs will treat it, how travel and fatigue will affect performance, and whether fans will embrace the new format. But with major teams and global exposure, the stakes have never been higher.

Final Thoughts

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 isn’t just another tournament—it’s a reset. For the first time, clubs from every confederation will compete in a full-scale summer showdown. Whether you’re watching for Real Madrid’s dominance, an African underdog story, or the tactical battles between styles, the expanded format is built for drama.