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.
Getty ImagesTier: Clear favorites
Real Madrid – Surprise, surprise. Madrid are 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.
AdvertisementGettyTier: 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.
Getty Images SportTier: 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.
GettyTier: 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 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.
