Explore the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage format, schedule, match details, and why this phase is crucial. Get insights on teams, venues, and what’s at stake in this high-intensity global tournament.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 features an expanded format with 32 teams competing in 8 groups of 4, held from June 14 to June 26 across 11 U.S. cities. Each team plays 3 group-stage matches in a round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to the Round of 16.
With a total of 48 group matches, this stage is crucial for building momentum, testing squad depth, and securing a spot in the knockout rounds. The group stage showcases global club talent, offers high-stakes matchups, and sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Group Structure
Total Teams: 32
Groups: 8 (Groups A to H)
Teams per Group: 4
Total Group Stage Matches: 48
(Each group has 6 matches; 3 matchdays per group)
Team Details – FIFA Group Stage
Here are the eight groups for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, each containing four clubs. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 16.
Group A
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Porto (Portugal)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Inter Miami CF (USA – host slot)
Group B
Paris Saint‑Germain (France)
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Botafogo (Brazil)
Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
Group C
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Benfica (Portugal)
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Auckland City (New Zealand/OFC)
Group D
Flamengo (Brazil)
Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Chelsea (England)
Los Angeles FC (USA)
Group E
River Plate (Argentina)
Inter Milan (Italy)
Monterrey (Mexico)
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Group F
Fluminense (Brazil)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Group G
Manchester City (England)
Juventus (Italy)
Wydad AC (Morocco)
Al Ain (UAE)
Group H
Real Madrid (Spain)
Al‑Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Pachuca (Mexico)
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Matches Details- FIFA Group Stage
Here’s a full breakdown of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage matches—organized by date, group, venue, and kickoff time (local ET):
June 14–26 – Group Stage Match Schedule
Date Time ET Group Fixture Venue
Jun 14 8:00 PM A Inter Miami CF vs Al Ahly Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Jun 15 3:00 PM B PSG vs Atlético Madrid Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Jun 15 10:00 PM B Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders Lumen Field, Seattle
Jun 15 5:00 PM C Bayern Munich vs Auckland City TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Jun 16 3:00 PM UK / 8:00 PM ET D Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Jun 16 11:00 PM C Boca Juniors vs Benfica Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Jun 17 12:00 PM F Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund MetLife Stadium, NJ
Jun 17 2:00 AM D Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Jun 17 8:00 PM E River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds Lumen Field, Seattle
Jun 17 11:00 PM F Ulsan Hyundai vs Mamelodi Sundowns Orlando
Jun 18 5:00 PM G Manchester City vs Wydad AC Lincoln Financial Field
Jun 18 8:00 PM H Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Hard Rock Stadium
Jun 18 11:00 PM H Pachuca vs Salzburg TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Jun 19 2:00 AM G Al Ain vs Juventus Audi Field, D.C.
Jun 19 5:00 PM A Palmeiras vs Al Ahly MetLife Stadium
Jun 19 8:00 PM A Inter Miami CF vs Porto Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
Jun 19 8:00 PM B Seattle Sounders vs Atlético Madrid Lumen Field
Jun 19 11:00 PM B PSG vs Botafogo Rose Bowl
Jun 20 2:00 AM C Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors Hard Rock Stadium
Jun 20 5:00 PM C Benfica vs Auckland City Orlando
Jun 20 7:00 PM D Flamengo vs Chelsea Lincoln Financial Field
Jun 20 10:00 PM D LAFC vs Espérance de Tunis Nashville
Jun 20 5:00 PM F Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund Cincinnati
Jun 20 11:00 PM E Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds Seattle
Jun 20 11:00 PM E River Plate vs Monterrey Rose Bowl
Jun 22 5:00 PM G Juventus vs Wydad AC Philadelphia
Jun 22 8:00 PM H Real Madrid vs Pachuca Charlotte
Jun 22 11:00 PM H Salzburg vs Al Hilal Washington D.C.
Jun 23 5:00 PM G Man City vs Al Ain Atlanta
Jun 23 5:00 PM B Seattle Sounders vs PSG Seattle
Jun 23 5:00 PM B Atlético Madrid vs Botafogo Rose Bowl
Jun 24 2:00 AM A Inter Miami CF vs Palmeiras Miami
Jun 24 2:00 AM A Porto vs Al Ahly MetLife Stadium
Jun 24 7:00 PM C Auckland City vs Boca Juniors Nashville
Jun 24 8:00 PM C Benfica vs Bayern Munich Charlotte
Jun 25 2:00 AM D LAFC vs Flamengo Orlando
Jun 25 2:00 AM D Espérance de Tunis vs Chelsea Philadelphia
Jun 25 8:00 PM F Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan Hyundai Cincinnati
Jun 25 8:00 PM F Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense Miami
Jun 25 11:00 PM E Inter Milan vs River Plate Seattle
Jun 25 11:00 PM E Urawa Red Diamonds vs Monterrey Rose Bowl
Jun 26 8:00 PM G Juventus vs Manchester City Orlando
Jun 26 8:00 PM G Wydad vs Al Ain Washington D.C.
Jun 26 1:00 AM H Al Hilal vs Pachuca Nashville
Jun 26 — H Salzberg vs Real Madrid Philadelphia
Importance of the Group Stage in FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The Group Stage is the foundation of the FIFA Club World Cup and plays a critical role in determining who gets a shot at the title. Here’s why it’s so important:
1. Determines Advancement
• Only the top two teams from each of the 8 groups advance to the Round of 16.
• A single loss or draw can shift group dynamics, so every point matters.
• Strong group performance usually leads to more favorable matchups in the knockouts.
2. Strategic Planning & Squad Rotation
• Teams must manage fatigue, injuries, and yellow card accumulation over 3 high-stakes matches.
• Coaches use the group stage to test formations and build rhythm before the sudden-death rounds.
3. Global Exposure & Reputation
• Clubs from lesser-known confederations like CAF, AFC, CONCACAF can make a mark here.
• Upsets in the group stage attract media attention, boost fan following, and open doors for players.
4. Financial Stakes
• Progressing beyond the group stage unlocks larger prize money and sponsorship potential.
• Advancing boosts market value of players and clubs — especially for clubs outside Europe and South America.
5. Momentum Builder
• Teams that dominate early often carry that confidence deep into the tournament.
• A clean sweep in group matches sets the tone and intimidates future opponents.
Conclusion: Group Stage of FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is more than just the tournament’s opening act—it’s a crucial battleground that defines the path to glory. With 32 elite clubs from around the globe, each fighting for only two qualifying spots per group, the competition is fierce and every match counts.
This phase not only separates contenders from participants but also offers clubs a global stage to prove their quality, test tactics, and gain momentum. For underdogs, it’s a rare chance to upset giants; for favorites, it’s a necessary proving ground before the high-pressure knockout rounds.
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