Introduction
The upcoming 2025 Club World Cup is set to kick off in the United States from June 14 and will conclude on July 13. This tournament, an enhanced iteration of its predecessor that began in 2000, features a wider international representation with teams from 20 nations across six continents vying for the title of club world champion in New Jersey. This guide elucidates the tournament’s structure, match timings, regulations regarding squad composition, and potential disciplinary actions.
Tournament Structure
A total of 32 clubs will participate, divided into eight groups consisting of four teams each. The countries represented span globally, with a notable 12 clubs from UEFA (Europe), six representing CONMEBOL (South America), five from Concacaf (North America), four from both the AFC (Asia) and CAF (Africa), and one from the OFC (Oceania). Brazil boasts the highest number of clubs in this tournament, sending four teams: Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Palmeiras, while the United States contributes three teams, namely Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, and Seattle Sounders.
The format of the tournament follows a group stage where each team competes against the others in its group, earning three points for a win and one for a draw; losses yield no points. The two teams with the highest points from each group will progress to the knockout rounds, while the lowest-ranking teams will be eliminated. The tiebreaker rules after the group stage differ from the World Cup; if teams are level, the outcomes of their direct encounters will determine their rankings.
Knockout Phase
Following the group stage, which runs from June 14 to June 26, the knockout phase features a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the championship final on July 13. Matches in the knockout rounds are single-elimination; a draw after regular time will lead to 30 minutes of extra time, and if still tied, a penalty shootout will decide the victor. Unlike in the traditional World Cup format, this tournament won’t have a match for third place.
Dates for the knockout stage are set as follows: the round of 16 takes place from June 28 to July 1, quarter-finals on July 4 and 5, and semi-finals on July 8 and 9, culminating in the final on July 13.
The structure ensures that UEFA clubs initially avoid meeting unless they reach the knockout stages, where any team can face any other regardless of confederation. The group stages include notable matches like Paris Saint-Germain vs Atletico Madrid and Benfica vs Bayern Munich, which pit clubs from the same continent against each other.
Team Preparations and Player Regulations
For team preparations, clubs can register up to 35 players before the tournament, with a minimum of 26, and must include at least three goalkeepers. There will also be a transfer window between June 27 and July 3 for teams to adjust their squads, potentially allowing a total of 37 players in the knockout stage. Each matchday, a team can name 26 players, including 15 substitutes, and has the option to make up to five substitutions, plus one additional concussion substitution if needed.
Disciplinary rules state that a player or coach receiving two yellow cards before the quarter-finals will be suspended for the following match, though this rule resets for the semi-finals. A direct red card incurs an automatic suspension for the next game, with possibilities for extended penalties for serious infractions.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the next Club World Cup will convene in 2029, maintaining the four-year cycle, with the host nation yet to be confirmed.
For an exhaustive fixture listing and group breakdown, stay tuned!
