Club World Cup 2025: Shocks, Stars, and Searing Heat Define Group Stage

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its revamped format, has delivered a series of compelling narratives as it progresses towards the Round of 16. This edition boasts an expanded roster of participating teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple host cities, and the innovative addition of referee cameras. The tournament in the United States is closely mirroring the grandeur of its namesake, the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have lauded the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," encapsulating the collective journey of clubs, players, and fans united by their shared passion for the sport. With numerous teams making their debut and the tournament now spanning a full month, its prestige has significantly increased.

The expanded format includes teams from all six confederations: 12 from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and the host nation's representative, culminating in a 32-team lineup for 2025.

As the group stage concludes and the field narrows to the final 16, this year's Club World Cup has been marked by notable upsets, classic David vs. Goliath encounters, and moments of intense rivalry, both on and off the field.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

Auckland City, ranked 4,971st by Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. They were drawn into a group with powerhouses Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. The context: Auckland City's squad is composed of amateur players competing in New Zealand's Northern League, which consists of just 12 teams.

Their campaign began with a harsh 0-10 defeat against Bayern Munich, the tournament's most lopsided result, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City, already eliminated, defied expectations. In a classic underdog story, the amateurs prevented Boca Juniors, who needed a victory to advance, from reaching the Round of 16. The 1-1 draw was particularly significant, considering the 4,819-point ranking difference and Boca's storied history.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance to Round of 16

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, defied expectations by progressing to the Round of 16. Drawn alongside formidable opponents Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras, Inter Miami finished second in Group A.

Despite securing only one victory, it was enough to secure their qualification. After a draw against Al Ahly in their opening match, Miami faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, secured a 2-1 victory. A subsequent 2-2 draw against Palmeiras sealed their place in the knockout stage.

A Tournament of High Temperatures and Tensions

The final matchday in Group E saw tensions escalate, with River Plate needing a win to advance. Inter Milan, however, dashed their hopes. The final whistle sparked a confrontation between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from both teams and staff. The animosity, stemming from a prior encounter three years earlier, saw Acuna taunt Dumfries with a reference to Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in a heated 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

Extreme heat also impacted the tournament, with teams employing ice baths and cold towels to mitigate the effects. Borussia Dortmund took the extra step of having substitutes watch their game against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to avoid the scorching conditions. The coach described the playing conditions as being akin to a sauna. Thunderstorms and lightning caused delays in at least five matches.

Adding another layer, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have a visible presence at the tournament, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend matches.

Concerns Arise Ahead of 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, less than a year away, the Club World Cup has highlighted potential challenges. Issues range from pitch quality to extreme heat and weather conditions.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the pitch conditions, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all," following his team's match against Pachuca in Charlotte.

Familiar Teams Remain Strong Contenders

Despite the surprises and underdog stories, the tournament remains dominated by European powerhouses. Teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City are still favored to win the title. Five teams – Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca – were eliminated without earning a single point.

Qualified Teams for Round of 16

• Group A: Palmeiras, Inter Miami
• Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Botafogo
• Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica
• Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea
• Group E: Inter Milan, Monterrey
• Group F: Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense
• Group G: Manchester City, Juventus
• Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal