For the first time in its history, the FIFA is expanding to a 32-team format, and the United States is set to host the event. This larger field brings together not only the champions from each continental confederation but also a select group of clubs that secured their spots through long-term performance rankings. It’s a collision of styles and stories, featuring heavyweights from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania.

In previous years, the Club World Cup relied on a straightforward knockout bracket. Now, with a group stage leading into a knockout phase, the landscape shifts. Traditional powers like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will meet ambitious challengers from Brazil and Saudi Arabia, while upstart teams from Africa, Asia, and beyond sense an opportunity to shine against the sport’s richest clubs.

The United States, riding the momentum of growing domestic leagues and international signings, aims to showcase a well-organized event with strong home support for teams like Inter Miami, LAFC, and the Seattle Sounders.

Each club has carved its own path here, some by lifting their confederation’s most prestigious trophy, others by consistently reaching the closing stages of top competitions. Many are loaded with local heroes, rising prospects, or high-profile signings.

The stakes feel heightened with every group match holding greater significance than a single knockout fixture might have. For those who lift the trophy, it won’t just be a triumph of a single dream but the culmination of years of work, investment, and belief.

Below is an in-depth look at each participant, covering how they qualified and what to expect once the tournament begins.

Group A

Palmeiras (Brazil)

Palmeiras earned their berth in the Club World Cup as the 2021 Copa Libertadores winners. Under Abel Ferreira’s guidance, they claimed South America’s top club prize and later solidified their standing with consistent performances in domestic competition.

FC Porto (Portugal)

Porto qualified through UEFA’s historical ranking pathway, ensuring a berth for one of Europe’s most consistent sides over the last four years. They didn’t lift the Champions League recently, but deep runs in European tournaments kept their coefficient high.

Al Ahly (Egypt)

Al Ahly secured their spot by winning the 2021 and 2023 CAF Champions League titles, though the official nod came from their 2021 triumph. The Egyptian giants, often referred to as the “Club of the Century” in Africa, boast extensive experience in global tournaments.

Inter Miami (USA)

Inter Miami clinched the host nation’s spot by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, signifying the best regular-season record in the United States. That triumph followed their sensational capture of the 2023 Leagues Cup, spearheaded by Lionel Messi’s arrival.

Results have been mixed in the new 24/25 MLS season, but Miami draws large crowds and will rely on home support as it ventures into the expanded Club World Cup.

Group B

Paris Saint-Germain ()

PSG’s invitation came through UEFA’s performance-based ranking, reflecting their regular progress to the Champions League knockout stages. They ultimate sealed their first Champions League title this season, without the likes of superstars Kylian Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar.

PSG is currently the world’s best club team.

Atlético Madrid (Spain)

Atlético Madrid also qualified via UEFA’s ranking, capitalizing on consistent appearances in Europe and a 2021 La Liga title. They haven’t won the Champions League in recent years, but they’ve been a mainstay in the latter rounds.

Diego Simeone remains in charge. His slight shift toward quicker transitions has unleashed Antoine Griezmann’s attacking instincts.

Botafogo (Brazil)

Botafogo booked their ticket by winning the 2024 Copa Libertadores in a fairy-tale campaign. It was their first major continental triumph in decades, surprising many who hadn’t pegged them as title contenders.

Seattle Sounders (USA)

Seattle Sounders qualified by winning the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, a historic feat that made them the first Major League Soccer club to claim the region’s top title. Their record guaranteed a place in this expanded competition.

Group C

Bayern Munich (Germany)

Bayern Munich punched their ticket as one of Europe’s top four sides over the last four seasons, thanks to consistent Bundesliga titles and a 2020 Champions League triumph that still factors into their overall coefficient.

They lost Thomas Müller after this term but retained Harry Kane. Jamal Musiala orchestrates much of the team’s offense, and Bayern are top of the Bundesliga again.

Auckland City (New Zealand)

Auckland City represents Oceania by virtue of their repeated OFC Champions League triumphs, most recently in 2022 and 2023. No other club in Oceania matches their record, making them a fixture at intercontinental events.

Boca Juniors (Argentina)

Boca Juniors secured their place through CONMEBOL’s ranking system, tied to their deep Copa Libertadores runs, including a 2023 final appearance. While they didn’t win that year, their overall record across several seasons ensured a berth.

SL Benfica (Portugal)

Benfica also advanced to this through UEFA’s performance metric. Though they haven’t lifted the Champions League in the last decade, their frequent appearances in knockout rounds, along with domestic titles, boosted their coefficient.

Group D

CR Flamengo (Brazil)

Flamengo qualified as the 2022 Copa Libertadores winners, capping an impressive era where they reached multiple finals in quick succession. Their international pedigree makes them one of the favorites from South America.

Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)

Espérance secured their spot via Africa’s ranking method after multiple strong CAF Champions League runs, including back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019 and semifinal appearances thereafter. Even without a recent victory, their overall record qualified them.

Chelsea (England)

Chelsea claimed a place as the 2021 UEFA Champions League winners. That triumph, plus a subsequent FIFA Club World Cup title in the older seven-team version, locked in the Blues for this expanded tournament.

Los Angeles FC (USA)

LAFC sealed their berth by winning a special playoff after Mexico’s Club León lost its eligibility. They had reached two recent CONCACAF Champions League finals, showcasing the club’s strong continental form.

Group E

River Plate (Argentina)

River Plate were chosen through CONMEBOL’s all-time ranking consideration. Their deep runs across multiple Libertadores editions, coupled with their 2018 title, made them one of the top clubs not holding a recent championship.

Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)

Urawa qualified by winning the 2022 AFC Champions League, toppling Al Hilal in the final. Their third continental title reinforced their reputation as one of Asia’s heavyweights.

CF Monterrey (Mexico)

Monterrey clinched a place as the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners. That victory added to their history of regional success, including multiple titles over the last decade.

Inter Milan (Italy)

Inter Milan arrived via UEFA’s ranking formula, propelled by their 2023 Champions League final appearance and steady performances in Serie A. They haven’t won Europe’s biggest prize since 2010, but they’ve been a consistent contender in recent seasons.

Group F

Fluminense (Brazil)

Fluminense qualified as the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, a landmark first title in the club’s history. That success came under the stewardship of a coach who introduced a possession-based approach that outfoxed several bigger-budget rivals.

Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Dortmund landed their place among UEFA’s qualifiers by maintaining a high coefficient, fueled by regular Champions League appearances and a 2023 near miss for the Bundesliga crown.

Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)

Ulsan Hyundai took an AFC slot through their overall ranking, highlighted by a 2020 AFC Champions League title and consistent quarterfinal or semifinal showings. They continue to dominate the K League 1.

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Mamelodi Sundowns reached the tournament via CAF’s points-based selection, reflecting their consistent semifinal appearances in the Champions League since their 2016 triumph. While they haven’t recaptured the title, they’ve been a leading force in African club football.

Group G

Manchester City (England)

Manchester City secured their spot as the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League winners, cementing a historic treble that included the Premier League and FA Cup titles. They later won the 2023 Club World Cup (in its old format), though this is a fresh challenge.

Wydad AC (Morocco)

Wydad Casablanca reached the tournament as winners of the 2021–22 CAF Champions League, plus an additional runner-up finish in 2023 that further solidified their standing. They’ve been trading continental honors with Al Ahly for several years.

Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)

Al Ain earned an AFC slot by capturing the 2023–24 AFC Champions League, their first continental title since 2003. They previously reached the old Club World Cup final in 2018 as the host team, so they know how to navigate high-stakes matches.

Juventus (Italy)

Juventus secured a place thanks to UEFA’s coefficient ranking, which takes into account their appearances in the Champions League and Europa League. Though they haven’t lifted Europe’s top trophy since 1996, their track record kept them among the continent’s elite.

Group H

Real Madrid (Spain)

Real Madrid secured a spot by winning the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League and again in 2023–24, breaking their own records for European crowns. No club has more success in the competition’s history.

They welcomed Kylian Mbappé in 2024, joining Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham in one of the world’s most feared attacks. Even with Thibaut Courtois still easing back from injury, Madrid top La Liga and remain the bookmakers’ pick to go all the way in this new 32-team event.

Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

Al Hilal took their spot by winning the 2021 AFC Champions League. They added a runner-up finish in the 2022 edition and have been a dominant force in Saudi and Asian soccer.

CF Pachuca (Mexico)

Pachuca arrived as winners of the 2023–24 CONCACAF Champions Cup, an extension of their proud tradition in regional play that also gave them a third-place finish in the 2017 Club World Cup.

Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)

Red Bull Salzburg secured a UEFA spot through its top-ten position in the coefficient ranking, which was built on its routine Austrian Bundesliga titles and regular appearances in the Champions League group stage. They often finish third in those groups and transition to deep Europa League runs.

Confederation Region Major Club Competition Notable Clubs CWC Slots
UEFA (Europe) Europe UEFA Champions League Real Madrid, Man City, Bayern 12
CONMEBOL (South America) South America Copa Libertadores Flamengo, River Plate, Boca 6
CONCACAF (North America) CONCACAF Champions Cup Inter Miami, Monterrey, Club América 4
AFC (Asia) AFC Champions League Al Hilal, Urawa Reds, Ulsan 4
CAF (Africa) Africa CAF Champions League Al Ahly, Espérance, Wydad 4
OFC (Oceania) Oceania OFC Champions League Auckland City 1
Host Nation (USA) North America — Inter Miami 1