FIFA Club World Cup 2025: 32 Teams Compete for a $1 Billion Prize Pool

From June 14 to July 13 (local time; June 15-July 14 UTC+8), 2025, the inaugural edition of the new FIFA Club World Cup will be held in the United States. Unlike the old Club World Cup, also known as the Intercontinental Cup, the new Club World Cup is held every four years with 32 teams participating. The total prize money for the Club World Cup is $1 billion, with the champion receiving up to $125 million in prize money.

Teams Participating in the Inaugural New Club World Cup

The inaugural new edition of the Club World Cup features top teams from various continents, especially traditional European powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund. Additionally, the two teams from this season's UEFA Champions League final—champion Paris Saint-Germain and runner-up Inter Milan—will also participate.

How Are the 32 Teams Selected?

Among the 32 participating teams, the distribution is as follows:

- Europe: 12 teams (the most)

- South America: 6 teams (the second most)

- Asia, Africa, and North/Central America & Caribbean: 4 teams each

- Oceania: 1 team

- Host Country (USA): 1 team

The 32 teams that qualify are the champions of the top continental competitions from the past four seasons (2021–2024) in each continent, as well as teams ranked highly according to FIFA’s ranking method. Additionally, a maximum of 2 clubs per association can participate, but this restriction can be lifted if clubs from the same association win the top continental competition more than twice in four years.

Specific Qualification Rules:

- For continents with more than 4 slots: The champions of the past four seasons qualify directly, and additional teams qualify based on ranking.

- For continents with 4 slots: The champions of the past four seasons qualify directly.

- For continents with 1 slot: The highest-ranked champion from the past four seasons qualifies.

For example, with Europe’s 12 slots, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid—winners of the UEFA Champions League in the past four seasons—directly qualify for the Club World Cup’s round of 32. The remaining 9 slots are allocated based on UEFA Champions League ranking points. Due to the rule limiting participation to a maximum of 2 clubs per association (unless the restriction is lifted), the Premier League is represented by Chelsea and Manchester City, and La Liga by Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. This directly excludes Liverpool and Barcelona, despite their high UEFA Champions League ranking points, as well as other teams like RB Leipzig, Napoli, Sevilla, and AC Milan. Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg, ranked 18th in UEFA Champions League points, successfully qualifies. Other prominent teams missing out include Arsenal and Manchester United.

Tournament Format (Similar to the World Cup)

Similar to the FIFA World Cup, the 32 teams in the Club World Cup will be divided into 8 groups, with 4 teams per group, playing in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 16. In case of tied points, the tiebreakers are:

1. Head-to-head record

2. Head-to-head goal difference

3. Number of goals scored in head-to-head matches

From the round of 16 to the final, all matches are single-elimination, with no third-place playoff.

Group Stage Lineup:

- Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly (Egypt), Inter Miami  

- Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders  

- Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City (New Zealand), Boca Juniors, Benfica  

- Group D: Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Chelsea, Los Angeles FC  

- Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey (Mexico), Inter Milan  

- Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)  

- Group G: Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Al Ain (UAE), Juventus  

- Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca (Mexico), Red Bull Salzburg  

Venue and Schedule

The first edition of the new Club World Cup will be held across 12 stadiums in 12 cities in the United States.  

- Group Stage: June 15 to June 27, 2025  

  - The opening match will feature Messi-led Inter Miami against Al Ahly, kicking off at 8:00 AM Beijing Time on June 15 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.  

- Knockout Stage: June 29 to July 14, 2025  

  - The final is scheduled for 3:00 AM Beijing Time on July 14 at MetLife Stadium in New York. Notably, MetLife Stadium will also host the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Prize Money: 32 Teams Share $1 Billion

This Club World Cup offers substantial prize money, with the champion receiving $125 million—far exceeding the prize money of previous Club World Cups. The total prize pool for the tournament is $1 billion, shared among the 32 participating teams, compared to the $440 million total prize money for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Breakdown of the $1 Billion Prize Pool:

1. Fixed Participation Fees: $525 million  

   - Europe (12 teams): Share the highest amount based on performance and commercial value, ranging from $12.81 million to $38.19 million per team.  

   - South America (6 teams): $15.21 million each.  

   - Asia, Africa, North/Central America & Caribbean (12 teams total): $9.55 million each.  

   - Oceania (1 team): $3.58 million.  

2. Performance-Based Bonuses: $475 million  

   - Group stage win: $2 million  

   - Group stage draw: $1 million  

   - Round of 16: $7.5 million  

   - Quarterfinals: $13.125 million  

   - Semifinals: $21 million  

   - Final: $30 million  

   - Champion: Additional $40 million