Club World Cup Groups Review
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States promised drama, and it delivered. With 32 teams split across eight groups, we witnessed footballing giants, regional champions, and underdogs all battling for a place in the knockout rounds. The group stage gave us goals, surprises, and a few heartbreaks along the way. Let’s break down how each group unfolded and who made it through to the Round of 16.
Group A
Teams: Palmeiras (Brazil), Inter Miami (USA), FC Porto (Portugal), Al Ahly (Egypt)
Group A turned out to be one of the most evenly matched sections of the tournament. Palmeiras and Inter Miami led the way, with both sides finishing on five points and qualifying for the knockouts.
The key fixture was the 2–2 draw between Palmeiras and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi’s side looked set to top the group until Palmeiras struck late to equalize. FC Porto and Al Ahly both showed flashes of quality, their thrilling 4–4 draw was one of the most entertaining matches of the group stage, but neither could find a win when it mattered.
Final standings:
- Palmeiras – 5 pts
- Inter Miami – 5 pts
- FC Porto – 2 pts
- Al Ahly – 2 pts
Group B
Teams: Paris Saint-Germain (France), Botafogo (Brazil), Atlético Madrid (Spain), Seattle Sounders (USA)
Dubbed the “Group of Death,” Group B lived up to its reputation. PSG, Botafogo, and Atlético Madrid all finished on six points, leaving goal difference to separate them. PSG’s 4–0 demolition of Atlético in their opener proved decisive, while Botafogo’s shock 1–0 win over the Parisians reminded everyone why South American clubs can never be underestimated.
Seattle Sounders, despite home support, couldn’t manage a single point and finished bottom.
Final standings:
- PSG – 6 pts
- Botafogo – 6 pts
- Atlético Madrid – 6 pts
- Seattle Sounders – 0 pts
Group C
Teams: Benfica (Portugal), Bayern Munich (Germany), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Auckland City (New Zealand)
Bayern Munich started with a bang, a 10–0 thrashing of Auckland City that will live long in the record books. But Benfica had the last laugh, edging Bayern 1–0 in their final match to top the group. Boca Juniors managed two draws but couldn’t break into the top two, while Auckland City’s goal difference took a battering despite their spirited effort.
Final standings:
- Benfica – 7 pts
- Bayern Munich – 6 pts
- Boca Juniors – 2 pts
- Auckland City – 1 pt
Group D
Teams: Flamengo (Brazil), Chelsea (England), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Los Angeles FC (USA)
Flamengo looked composed and clinical throughout the group stage, topping Group D with seven points. Their 3–1 win over Chelsea set the tone early. Chelsea rebounded well, defeating Espérance 3–0 and LAFC 2–0 to secure second place.
LAFC were competitive but lacked consistency, while Espérance struggled to cope with the pace and intensity of the European and South American sides.
Final standings:
- Flamengo – 7 pts
- Chelsea – 6 pts
- Espérance – 3 pts
- LAFC – 1 pt
Group E
Teams: Inter Milan (Italy), Monterrey (Mexico), River Plate (Argentina), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Inter Milan showed class and control, taking seven points to win Group E. Monterrey and River Plate pushed them close, but it was Monterrey’s 4–0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in the final round that sealed second place. River fell just short despite solid performances, while Urawa left empty-handed.
Final standings:
- Inter Milan – 7 pts
- Monterrey – 5 pts
- River Plate – 4 pts
- Urawa Red Diamonds – 0 pts
Group F
Teams: Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Fluminense (Brazil), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
Group F was thrilling from start to finish. Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense were the standouts, finishing first and second respectively. The two played out a tense 2–2 draw, while Mamelodi Sundowns nearly pulled off an upset in their 3–4 defeat to Dortmund.
Ulsan Hyundai struggled to find form, finishing with no points but earning respect for their attacking ambition.
Final standings:
- Borussia Dortmund – 7 pts
- Fluminense – 5 pts
- Mamelodi Sundowns – 4 pts
- Ulsan Hyundai – 0 pts
Group G
Teams: Manchester City (England), Juventus (Italy), Al Ain (UAE), Wydad AC (Morocco)
Manchester City were on another level in Group G. Three wins from three, 14 goals scored, and only two conceded. They dismantled Al Ain 6–0 and swept aside Juventus 5–2 in the final game. Juventus did enough to finish second, while Al Ain’s lone win over Wydad secured them third.
Final standings:
- Manchester City – 9 pts
- Juventus – 6 pts
- Al Ain – 3 pts
- Wydad AC – 0 pts
Group H
Teams: Real Madrid (Spain), Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), Pachuca (Mexico)
Real Madrid did what Real Madrid do. steady, professional, and effective. A 1–1 draw with Al-Hilal in the opener gave them an early wake-up call, but wins over Salzburg and Pachuca ensured they topped the group.
Al-Hilal continued to impress, staying unbeaten and finishing second. Salzburg were competitive but couldn’t find that extra gear, while Pachuca endured a tournament to forget.
Final standings:
- Real Madrid – 7 pts
- Al-Hilal – 5 pts
- Red Bull Salzburg – 4 pts
- Pachuca – 0 pts
The 2025 Club World Cup group stage was everything fans hoped it would be, a mix of powerhouse performances, dramatic late goals, and underdog grit. The European and South American giants largely lived up to expectations, but clubs like Botafogo, Monterrey, and Al-Hilal proved that the global game is more competitive than ever.
With 16 teams advancing, the knockout rounds promise mouth-watering matchups: Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Bayern, and more all in the mix. If the groups were any indication, the rest of the tournament will be a spectacle worthy of its expanded format, and a true celebration of world club football.