FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Rivalries, and Weather Woes Define Group Stage

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its revamped format, has delivered a compelling narrative as it progresses towards the Round of 16. This edition boasts an expanded lineup of teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple host cities, and the innovative referee cam, bringing the tournament closer to the scale and excitement of the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have hailed the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans through their shared love for the sport. The inclusion of debutant teams and the extended month-long schedule have significantly elevated the competition's profile.

Featuring 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 – the 2025 tournament has been marked by unexpected results, classic underdog stories, and moments of intense rivalry.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

Auckland City, ranked 4,971st by Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. Placed in a group with powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors, their chances appeared slim. The team, composed of amateur players from New Zealand's Northern League, faced daunting odds.

Their campaign began with a crushing 0-10 defeat against Bayern Munich, the tournament's largest margin of victory, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City defied expectations. In a classic David-vs-Goliath encounter, the amateurs held Boca to a 1-1 draw, denying them a crucial spot in the Round of 16. The result, bridging a gap of 4,819 ranking points, stands as a remarkable achievement for the New Zealand side.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, defied expectations in a group featuring Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. Despite being considered underdogs, they secured a place in the Round of 16, finishing second in Group A.

Although Miami managed only one win, it proved sufficient for qualification. After a draw against Al Ahly, they faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, led to a 2-1 victory. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras sealed their progression to the next stage.

On-Pitch Heat and Off-Field Concerns

Tensions flared during the final matchday in Group E, where River Plate's hopes of reaching the Round of 16 were dashed by Inter Milan. The final whistle ignited a clash between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from both teams' personnel. The rivalry, stemming from a heated 2022 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands, saw Acuna displaying a shin guard with the World Cup trophy logo to Dumfries.

Beyond on-field clashes, extreme heat posed challenges for players, prompting teams to implement cooling measures like ice baths and cold towels. Borussia Dortmund took the unusual step of having substitutes watch their game against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching temperatures. The coach described the conditions as a "sauna." Thunderstorms caused delays in at least five matches.

Adding another layer to the tournament's narrative, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have a visible presence, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status for game attendance.

2026 World Cup Concerns

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 ranging from pitch quality to extreme weather conditions have raised concerns about the upcoming tournament's preparedness.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the pitch conditions, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all."

Familiar Faces Remain

Despite the emergence of underdog stories and unexpected results, the tournament still showcases the dominance of European teams. Giants like Real Madrid and Manchester City continue to be frontrunners for the title. Conversely, teams like Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca were eliminated without securing 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