After much anticipation, the draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup took place in Inter Miami, Florida, USA, last night. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former Brazilian star Ronaldo unveiled the tournament trophy during the event. This marks the 21st edition of the tournament, which is held every two years.
The first FIFA Club World Cup was organized in 2000. The current champions are the English club Manchester City, while Spanish giants Real Madrid hold the record with five titles.
Unlike previous tournaments, which featured seven teams, the 2025 edition will be held on a much larger scale, featuring 32 teams for the first time. The tournament will kick off on June 15, 2025, and is set to be hosted by the United States. Teams will be divided into eight groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages. The quarterfinals will feature eight teams, followed by the semifinals, culminating in the final on July 13, 2025.
At the event, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the global appeal of the tournament, stating, “Any club from any part of the world can dream of playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. Players everywhere aspire to play for one of these top clubs. Every participating team is among the best in the world.”
This year’s tournament will include 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and four each from Asia, Africa, and North America, making it a truly global competition.
