The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marked a significant evolution in global club football. For the first time, the tournament featured 32 teams arranged into eight groups (A–H) of four teams each. The top two from each group advanced to the knockout round of 16, then onto quarter-finals, semis, and the July 13 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Matches took place June 14–26 in U.S. venues like Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles, Orlando, and more.
This expanded format aimed to globalize club competition, reflecting FIFA’s ambition to mirror the World Cup structure and expand revenue. Despite initial skepticism about attendance and logistics, the group stage delivered drama, stunning upsets, and electric atmospheres—helping the revamped format earn respect.
Group A: Palmeiras, Inter Miami, Porto & Al Ahly
Group A was full of energy and excitement. The games took place in Miami Gardens and East Rutherford where fans from all over came to watch. Palmeiras showed their strength early on and played very well. Inter Miami had great support from the home crowd with Messi leading the way. Porto and Al Ahly tried hard but could not keep up. The matches were tense and full of action, especially the game between Palmeiras and Inter Miami which ended in a draw. Outside the stadiums, the atmosphere was lively with fans enjoying food, music, and waving their team flags.
Al Ahly 0–2 Inter Miami: The hosts burst out strong in the opener, with Oscar Ustari earning Man of the Match honors.
Palmeiras 2–0 Porto: Brazilian champions showed class as Estêvão starred in Miami, helping Palmeiras claim top spot.
Palmeiras vs. Inter Miami – 2–2 Draw: In a rollercoaster evening, Luis Suárez shone with a goal and assist, but late strikes from Paulinho and Maurício salvaged a point for Palmeiras. Both teams finished on five points, but Palmeiras topped the group on goal difference
Palmeiras 2–0 Al Ahly and Inter Miami 3–1 Porto (assumed final fixtures) confirmed the top two advancing.
Group B: PSG, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo & Seattle Sounders
Group B was the most surprising group. The matches happened in Pasadena and Seattle, and many expected PSG and Atlético Madrid to easily qualify. But Botafogo shocked everyone by beating PSG. That one goal made a huge difference. Seattle Sounders played with heart but could not get past the stronger teams. Atlético Madrid did not do enough in their games. The fans in Seattle were very passionate and showed great support. In the end, Botafogo and PSG qualified, with Botafogo’s win changing the whole group’s outcome.
PSG 4–0 Atlético Madrid: A one-sided opener for the French champions.
Botafogo 2–1 Seattle Sounders: Copa Libertadores winners began strongly with a win in the Pacific Northwest.
Botafogo 1–0 PSG: Major shock—Botafogo outplayed PSG defensively and clinched a famous win.
PSG 2–1 Atlético Madrid and Botafogo match against Parc des Princes fixture results sent both Brazilian and French powerhouse through.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors & Auckland City
Group C had a big mix of teams and styles. Bayern Munich started very strong by beating Auckland City ten to zero. But Benfica surprised many by beating Bayern and taking first place in the group. Boca Juniors played with great passion and fought hard in every match. Auckland City was the smallest club but never gave up. The fans were loud and colorful in both Seattle and Pasadena. This group showed that big names do not always win and that teamwork and effort are very important.
Bayern Munich 10–0 Auckland City: The tournament’s biggest blowout.
Bayern 2–1 Boca Juniors: A tight win in the second fixture.
Benfica 0–0 Boca Juniors: Gave hope to the Portuguese club.
Benfica 1–0 Bayern Munich: In a major upset, Benfica topped the group with a tight victory. Bayern’s Harry Kane had a goal disallowed and Joshua Kimmich voiced their frustration.
Boca vs. Auckland draw, sealing the final standings.
Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, ES Tunis & LAFC
Group D had very exciting matches in Atlanta and Philadelphia. Flamengo brought lots of energy and fans who made the stadium feel like home. Chelsea played smart and managed to get important wins. LAFC and ES Tunis worked hard but did not get enough points to advance. The match between Flamengo and Chelsea was very close and full of important moments. Fans in Philadelphia stayed loud even in the rain and supported their teams until the end. Flamengo finished on top and Chelsea came in second.
Chelsea 2–0 LAFC: A quiet but effective opening victory.
Flamengo 1–1 LAFC: The Brazilian champions struggled against spirited opposition.
Flamengo 3–1 Chelsea: A highlight match—Mengão took control with a decisive win.
Chelsea 3–0 ES Tunis: Solidified second place.
Flamengo vs. ES Tunis and LAFC vs. ES Tunis result filled out group positions.
Group E – Inter Milan, Monterrey, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds
Group E brought together a fascinating mix of football cultures, with European giants Inter Milan facing off against spirited teams from Mexico, South America, and Japan. Matches were played in packed stadiums alive with passionate supporters waving flags and singing chants that echoed the pride of their clubs. The contrasting styles and backgrounds made every game unpredictable.
Inter Milan 3–1 Monterrey: Inter controlled the match with good attacking play and clinical finishing.
Monterrey 2–1 River Plate: Monterrey fought hard and edged out River Plate in a tightly contested game.
Inter Milan 2–0 Urawa Red Diamonds: Inter’s solid defense and smart tactics shut down the Japanese side.
River Plate 2–0 Urawa Red Diamonds: River Plate found their rhythm to secure a confident victory.
Inter Milan 1–1 River Plate: A tactical encounter ended in a draw, confirming Inter Milan’s top spot.
Group F – Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan
Group F was an eclectic mix where Dortmund’s electrifying European style clashed with the passionate and technical football of Fluminense. Alongside them, Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai brought their own unique strengths and determination. The stadiums came alive with a vibrant blend of chants, colors, and energy as fans from all over the world celebrated their teams.
Borussia Dortmund 3–1 Mamelodi Sundowns: Dortmund’s approach secured a comfortable victory.
Fluminense 2–0 Ulsan: Fluminense dominated possession and controlled the match to a important victory.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1–1 Ulsan: A hard-fought draw left both teams scrambling for points.
Borussia Dortmund 1–1 Fluminense: An intense match ended evenly, confirming the group’s top two.
Group G – Manchester City, Juventus, Al Ain & Wydad Casablanca
Group G brought together two European giants. Manchester City showed off their incredible speed while Juventus relied on their experience and skill. They went head to head with the determined teams Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca, who were hungry to prove themselves. The stadiums were full of energy and excitement as fans cheered loudly, hoping to witness unforgettable moments. Every match was intense and competitive, with all teams fighting hard because they knew that every goal and every play could change everything. The group was full of surprises and thrilling action that kept everyone on the edge of their seats throughout the tournament.
Manchester City 5–0 Al Ain: City’s attacking firepower dismantled the Middle Eastern side.
Juventus 3–1 Wydad Casablanca: Juventus’s experience showed in their solid win.
Manchester City 3–1 Juventus: City edged out Juventus in a high-profile clash.
Al Ain 2–2 Wydad Casablanca: Both underdogs fought hard to share the points.
Manchester City 2–0 Wydad Casablanca: City kept their winning streak with a composed display.
Juventus 1–0 Al Ain: Juventus sealed their place with a narrow victory.
Group H – Real Madrid, Al Hilal, RB Salzburg & Pachuca
Group H delivered intense and captivating matches as European giants Real Madrid took on the disciplined Middle Eastern powerhouse Al Hilal, along with Austria’s RB Salzburg and Mexico’s Pachuca. Each team brought its own unique style and determination, creating a dynamic and unpredictable group stage. The stakes were high, the atmosphere charged, and every game was a fierce battle as all four sides fought hard to claim their spot and keep their dreams of glory alive. The mix of experience, tactical discipline, youthful energy, and resilience made Group H one of the most exciting and closely contested pools in the tournament.
Real Madrid 4–0 Pachuca: Madrid’s dominance was clear in a commanding opening win.
Al Hilal 2–1 RB Salzburg: Al Hilal’s disciplined defense and swift attacks earned the win.
Real Madrid 3–0 RB Salzburg: Madrid continued their strong form with a convincing victory.
Pachuca 1–2 Al Hilal: Al Hilal edged a close contest to boost their qualification hopes.
Real Madrid 1–1 Al Hilal: A tactical stalemate confirmed both teams’ knockout places.
RB Salzburg 2–1 Pachuca: Salzburg took a consolation win but missed out on advancing.
With the group stage now complete, the Round of 16 is set. Palmeiras and Inter Miami advanced from Group A, while PSG and Botafogo moved on from Group B. Benfica and Bayern Munich secured their spots in Group C, and Flamengo and Chelsea progressed from Group D. Inter Milan topped Group E alongside Monterrey. In Group F, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense lived up to expectations. Manchester City and Juventus emerged from Group G, and Real Madrid and Al Hilal advanced from Group H. The mix of European powerhouses and rising contenders promises a knockout stage full of unpredictable battles.
From this point on, there is no room for error. Playing well is not enough—it’s about delivering when it matters most. The group stage gave us drama, surprises, and moments of brilliance, but the tournament truly begins now. The clubs that remain must show not only skill but nerve. In a competition defined by pressure, history, and ambition, the coming matches will decide who belongs at the very top of the global game.
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