Club World Cup Preview
13th June 2025
A New Era Begins
The arrival of a new summer Club World Cup into an already packed football calendar hasn’t been without controversy. But with the tournament now just around the corner, anticipation is building for what could be a landmark moment in global club football. Here is the Statz 2025 Club World Cup Preview.
Tournament Format
The format mirrors the traditional World Cup: 32 teams, eight groups of four, with the top two advancing to the knockout stage. Every continent is represented — 12 clubs from Europe, six from South America, five from North America, four each from Africa and Asia, and one from Oceania. With the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup on the horizon, where just one team will be eliminated in the group stage, this summer’s Club World Cup could end up feeling refreshingly competitive by comparison.
Europe’s Powerhouses
Newly crowned Champions League winners PSG will be there, joined by European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Premier League giants Manchester City and Chelsea. Real’s early move for Trent Alexander-Arnold signals their intent — with a near £100 million prize pool on offer, the stakes are high.
South America’s Emotional Edge
But it’s not just Europe’s elite chasing glory. The tournament — once known as the Intercontinental Cup — still holds deep meaning for South American clubs like three-time winners Boca Juniors, arch-rivals River Plate, and Brazilian powerhouses Palmeiras, Botafogo, Fluminense, and Flamengo, all of whom will be represented in the U.S.
As ESPN’s Tim Vickery puts it, “The battle for worldwide footballing supremacy — in both club and international football — is very close to the South American soul. For South America, this year’s Club World Cup is not an awkward imposition, it is an enormous opportunity.” (Vickery, ESPN)
Outside Contenders
North American, Asian, and African representatives head into the tournament as outsiders but with some realistic hopes of making the knockout rounds. Saudi giants Al Hilal arrive under new manager Simone Inzaghi, with a squad most European clubs would be jealous of — João Cancelo, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Aleksandar Mitrović among the standout names.
Inter Miami need no introduction, with their 2015 Barcelona tribute act built around Lionel Messi. Statistically, he enters the tournament in his usual form with 10 goals in 13 MLS games, averaging 2.42 shots on target from 5.41 attempts per match.
Group A: Messi, Palmeiras, and an Opportunity
They play in the tournament opener against experienced Club World Cup Egyptian side Al Ahly SC, who are under new management as of two weeks ago, and a strong start there could give Messi and co. a real shot at progressing from Group A. Also in the group are South American giants Palmeiras, featuring an exciting attacking trio: Vitor Roque, Facundo Torres, and Chelsea-bound wonderkid Estevão — already drawing Neymar comparisons. Porto round out the group and look like one of the weaker European representatives on paper.
Group Watch
Another intriguing group features PSG and Atlético Madrid, alongside Botafogo — the current Copa Libertadores champions, albeit much changed since that win — and MLS side Seattle Sounders, who will be hoping to make the most of home advantage. The European heavyweights are expected to progress to the last 16, with favourable matchups awaiting against Group A qualifiers. Their opening clash on June 15th is arguably the standout fixture of the group stage and should serve as a sharpener to shake off any early-summer rust.
One-Sided Fears and Golden Boot Chasers
The biggest concern heading into the group stage is the potential for too many one-sided games, with clear disparities in quality between clubs. Stars like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy could have a field day in their respective groups — none more so than Bayern Munich facing semi-professional Auckland City FC. Encounters like that could produce some lopsided scorelines.
It’s that disparity that has Statz Tipster eyeing Bayern’s Harry Kane as a strong early contender for the Golden Boot, especially if he racks up goals in the group stage. You can read more in Statz’s full betting Club World Cup preview and best bets guide.