With the latest official invitation granted to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Botafogo's recent victory in the Copa Libertadores, the list of teams that will take part in the 2025 Club World Cup has been completed. The event, which will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, will be a historic event for international football, with 32 teams from every continent ready to compete for the prestigious title.
The tournament format will follow that of the “old” Champions League, with teams divided into eight groups of four, followed by the knockout phase. Among the European teams, Inter and Juventus stand out, confirming the Italian presence in a top-level competition that will also involve other footballing powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
The group stage draw, scheduled for December 5, will determine the official schedule, thus starting the countdown to an event that promises to be a spectacle on and off the pitch. For the first time, the Club World Cup will take place with such a broad and inclusive format, making this edition a turning point for the competition.
Another new element will be the special transfer window open from June 27 to July 13, which will allow teams to strengthen during the tournament, adding further dynamism and unpredictability to the competition. Botafogo, fresh from winning the Copa Libertadores, and Inter Miami, the host team led by Messi, are the latest to have gained access to the tournament. The presence of the American club, already a protagonist in Major League Soccer, testifies to the growing importance of soccer in the United States and their commitment to organizing major international events.
Article published on 1 December 2024 - 15:31
It is interesting to see how the teams were chosen for the Club World Cup. However, there are many questions about how the format will work and whether it will be effective. Let's hope that all the clubs can compete at their best.