Kylian Mbappé will not be joining his former club PSG in the group stage of the 2025 Club World Cup. His current club, Real Madrid, are also guaranteed to avoid Europe’s best teams in their group.
FIFA has unveiled the four groups of 32 teams that have qualified for the group stage of the Club World Cup, to be held in the United States from 15 June to 13 July. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG are among the seeded teams.
Due to a half-hat system, the top four European teams in Hat 2 – Chelsea, Dortmund, Inter Milan and FC Porto – cannot play the seeded teams. As a result, Manchester City, Bayern and PSG will face either Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Juventus or Salzburg. Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid, meanwhile, will not be drawn in the same group as Atlético Madrid for a Madrid derby.
Le tirage au sort de la Coupe du Monde des Clubs de la FIFA 2025 aura lieu demain ⏳
— Coupe du Monde 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_fr) December 4, 2024
🗓️ Jeudi 5 Décembre
⏱️ 19h CET #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/0CDSTK6RgJ
As well as sporting prestige, the 2025 Club World Cup also represents a major financial challenge. The winner of the competition will pocket a bonus of 5 million dollars, while the runner-up will receive 3 million dollars. The semi-finalists will each earn 2 million dollars. The competition will also be an opportunity for clubs to showcase themselves on the international stage and attract new sponsors and investors.
An ideal draw for Mbappé and Real Madrid
Having been guaranteed to avoid Inter Milan, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid in hat 2, Real Madrid could well benefit from the most favourable draw. Benfica are 14th in the UEFA Club Ranking, Juventus 22nd and Salzburg 45th. If Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG finish top of their respective groups, they will not face each other until the last four of the competition.
Pools 3 and 4 contain teams that are expected to make up the numbers. South Korea’s Ulsan, Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis, Argentina’s Boca Juniors and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns have all failed to win their respective Champions League titles in recent years. Auckland City, the Oceania champions, will be the weakest team in the field, while Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will struggle to make an impact, even in their home opener.
According to the experts, Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid are the favourites to win the 2025 Club World Cup. With a quality squad featuring stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, the Madrid club is expected to dominate the competition. They see Manchester City as Real Madrid’s main rivals, but Bayern Munich and PSG could also be spoilers. But Real Madrid’s favourable draw could give them a decisive advantage.
| Pot | Teams |
|---|---|
| Pot 1 | Manchester City (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP), FC Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), CR Flamengo (BRA), SE Palmeiras (BRA), CA River Plate (ARG), Fluminense FC (BRA) |
| Pot 2 | Chelsea FC (ENG), Borussia Dortmund (GER), FC Inter Milan (ITA), FC Porto (POR), Atlético de Madrid (ESP), SL Benfica (POR), Juventus FC (ITA), FC Salzburg (AUT) |
| Pot 3 | Al Hilal (KSA), Ulsan HD (KOR), Al Ahly FC (EGY), Wydad AC (MAR), CF Monterrey (MEX), Club León (MEX), CA Boca Juniors (ARG), Botafogo (BRA) |
| Pot 4 | Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Al Ain FC (UAE), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA), CF Pachuca (MEX), Seattle Sounders FC (USA), Auckland City FC (NZL), Inter Miami CF (USA) |
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