GOAL looks at the tiers of teams in the 2025 Club World Cup, asking who might win it all and who is just happy to be here?
What to make of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup? Certainly, the big name teams are here.
Real Madrid, Man City, PSG and Bayern Munich all stand out from a fine crop of European clubs. But the tournament goes so much deeper. Legendary South American clubs such as Boca Juniors, River Plate and Palmeiras will all be playing in the U.S. this summer. A duo of sides will represent Liga MX with aplomb. A third, Leon, has been removed due to violations of multi-club ownership rules – but could re-enter after appeal, or be replaced.
And while they may not garner the kind of attention as their European counterparts, a litany of African and Asian teams are also set to get their moment in the spotlight. In that sense, this is a wonderful thing that highlights the best of world football.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL is providing scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.
So who’s here to win it? Who’s here for the money? Who’s here for holiday? Who’s in the spotlight? Who’s going to bring the fun? GOAL US breaks it all down in the 2025 Club World Cup Tier Rankings.
Tier: Clear favorites
Real Madrid – Surprise, surprise. Madrid are the team to beat in pretty much every competition they enter, and there’s little evidence to suggest that will change here. With Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, they have found form after a slow start to the season, and appear well positioned to win both La Liga and the Champions League.
Inter – A trendy pick for this all. Inter, remember, came close to Champions League glory in 2023, and have daylight in the Serie A title race, too. A Champions League quarterfinal with Bayern Munich will surely test their mettle.
Paris Saint-Germain – Luis Enrique has the Parisians playing football. After years of relying on star power, this is now a fun, young team with a point to prove. Their win over Liverpool in the European Cup only reinforces that.
Bayern Munich – After shockingly failing to win the Bundesliga last year, the Bavarians are back. Top of the German league and humming in Europe – with Harry Kane banging in the goals for fun – they can beat anyone on their day.
Tier: Outside looking in … for now
Manchester City – One thing is certain about Man City: they will be back. For now, though, Erling Haaland and City are Premier League strugglers who are a bit off the pace. City’s owners will spend big to help a rebuild this summer, but that will likely come too soon for the competition.
Atletico Madrid – Who wants to play against Atleti? You will find very few clubs eager for this fixture. Diego Simeone’s side are a bit more attacking than usual, with Julian Alvarez showing why he is so much more than a backup to Erling Haaland. Their knockout football credentials can be questioned, though.
Chelsea – It depends on which Chelsea team shows up. The billion-pound side of world class individuals might win the whole thing. The slumping side with an out-of-form Cole Palmer could crash out early.
Benfica – The trendy club. Well in the title race and paced by a solid spine plus the ageless Angel Di Maria, Benfica will simply be an unpleasant matchup. Winning the whole thing would be a miracle, but they will be mightily hard to beat.
Tier: Here for the money
Seattle Sounders – Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer told GOAL the Club World Cup could be an exercise in smart transfer business for the Sounders, one of two MLS sides in the tournament, along with Inter Miami. The Sounders must navigate the Group of Death. “If we can pull out a result,” Schmetzer said, “that makes a statement that MLS is not so far behind some of the other teams in the world.”
Fluminense – No longer the team they once were, Fluminense are struggling massively for a club of their pedigree. Marcelo has gone, and the talent factory has rather dried up. On name brand alone, this will be a valuable excursion.
RB Salzburg – It’s not like Salzburg are strapped for cash or talent, buoyed by the immensely lucrative Red Bull network. But they could really do with a boost after squeaking into the Austrian Bundesliga playoff. If they keep promising talents such as Bobby Clark and Oscar Gloukh around, then who knows?
Porto – A Europa League exit was something of an embarrassment for a club that really belongs in the Champions League. A kind group could help them out, but should Porto lose to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, they could be in trouble.
Tier: Much to lose, not much to win
Juventus – Juve are a mess. They fired their head coach most of the way into the season, and have brought in a new manager who plays a different style of football. A poor showing could look bad on Americans Tim Weah and Weston McKennie.
Al Hilal – They may no longer have Neymar in their ranks, but Al Hilal will still fly the flag for the Saudi Pro League. A glut of former European stars will complement a string of locals, and serve as a real barometer to where the emerging league is at.
Inter Miami – It’s simple, really. If Miami lose with Lionel Messi, the storyline will be that MLS is rubbish and Messi is old. If Miami win with Messi, it will be, well, of course they won with Messi.
Borussia Dortmund – Another side with American pedigree that has a lot to lose here. Gio Reyna will likely still be a Dortmund player come June. And if he watches from the bench while the storied club continue to underwhelm, then nothing really good can come of it all.
Tier: Great for the hipsters
Monterrey – Their most U.S.-relevant claim to fame is they were once the home of Brandon Vazquez. But a real ball-knower will tell you that these guys are one of the most historic clubs in Mexico (a word, too, for their lovely striped kits.)
Flamengo – Filipe Luis is doing a fine job with Flamengo, and led them to a regional league-supercup double last season. The only Brazilian side never to face relegation, the Rio-based club are a fun blend of young talent and established vets.
Urawa Red Diamonds – Urawa Reds have the coolest badge in the tournament. Period. Odds are, there will be plenty of Japanese fans pulling for them, too.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC – Their style of play is described as “Shoe Shine and piano” which sounds – and looks – like a lot of fun. It works, too, with Sundowns on the verge of a third straight league title.
Botafogo – Winners of a League-Copa Libertadores double last year, the Brazilian club have rather blown up their side since. But they will still be a fine watch.
Tier: Pedigree clubs in the spotlight
Palmeiras – Want to know who will be in the Chelsea loan army in three years? Watch Palmeiras. Estevao, soon to join the London club, is expected to be a standout. It will be a lovely occasion for one of South America’s biggest clubs.
River Plate – It’s been a fallow couple of years for one of Argentina’s traditionally great clubs, but it will remain a pleasure to see them in the U.S. in front of thousands of their fans. Franco Mastantuono is a top talent in the midfield.
Boca Juniors – Siempre Boca, no? They may not have as many trophies as River, but their fanbase in the U.S. is bigger. Perennially cool, and starring former European standout Edison Cavani, the Buenos Aires team’s fans will make noise wherever they go.
Pachuca – Founded by ex-pats from Southwest England, Pachuca have always had strong working class ties. They’re not bad on the pitch, either, something they showed by battering Columbus Crew.
Al Ahly – Who? The Egyptian club are the most successful in Africa, and serial winners of their domestic league. They have enjoyed some Club World Cup success, too, finishing third on three separate occasions.
Tier: An American holiday
Auckland City – The New Zealand side are Club World Cup regulars, and have won 12 National League titles in a row. But in a tough group, this will be little more than a nice trip.
Esperance de Tunis – The club transported 15,000 fans to the 2018 Club World Cup in the UAE. It’s unlikely that so many will make the trek to the United States, but this is one of the biggest clubs in Africa – and will look to do the nation proud.
Wydad Casablanca – Complete with cool kits and an immaculate pedigree, Wydad are one of the more historic footballing entities in the tournament. Competing, though, might be another challenge altogether.
Ulsan HD FC – Winners of three straight K-League titles, the Korean side are hoping to make some noise at their second Club World Cup.
Al Ain – One of the youngest teams at the tournament, Al Ain hosted the Club Wold Cup in 2018.
