FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Underdogs, and European Giants Advance to Knockout Stage

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its revamped format, has delivered a compelling narrative as it progresses towards the Round of 16. This edition boasts an expanded field of teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple host venues, and the innovative addition of referee cameras, bringing the competition closer in scale and spectacle to the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have emphasized the tournament's essence as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans through their shared passion for soccer. The inclusion of several debutant teams and the tournament's extended month-long duration have significantly elevated its profile.

Featuring teams from all six confederations – including 12 from Europe, 6 from South America, and 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, plus one from Oceania and the host nation – the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been marked by unexpected results, classic underdog stories, and intense confrontations.

Unlikely Draw for Auckland City

Auckland City, ranked 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. They found themselves in a challenging group with Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. It's worth noting that Auckland City's squad is primarily composed of amateur players competing in New Zealand's Northern League, which consists of only 12 teams.

The team suffered a heavy 0-10 defeat to Bayern Munich, the largest margin in the tournament, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

With their elimination already confirmed, Auckland City faced Argentinian powerhouse Boca Juniors in their final match. In a stunning turn of events, the underdogs held Boca to a 1-1 draw, denying them a crucial spot in the Round of 16. The result was particularly significant given the 4,819-point ranking difference between the two sides and Boca's storied history.

Messi Leads Miami to the Round of 16

Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, defied expectations by advancing to the Round of 16 from a group that included Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras.

Despite securing only one victory, it was enough to see them through. After a draw against Al Ahly, Miami faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, secured a 2-1 win. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras sealed their place in the next round.

Rising Tensions and Extreme Conditions

The final matchday in Group E saw tensions flare between River Plate and Inter Milan, with players nearly coming to blows after the final whistle.

Beyond on-field clashes, extreme heat and weather conditions also impacted the tournament, with teams resorting to ice baths and cold towels for their players. Borussia Dortmund even had substitutes watch their game from the locker room to shield them from the heat.

Concerns Ahead of the 2026 World Cup?

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a year away, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the Club World Cup has highlighted potential issues, including pitch quality and challenging weather conditions.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the pitch conditions, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all."

Familiar Faces Remain Strong

Despite the surprises and upsets, established European powerhouses like Real Madrid and Manchester City remain strong contenders for the title. However, teams like Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca were eliminated without earning a single point.

Qualified Teams for Round of 16

Here are the teams that have qualified for the Round of 16:

• Group A: Palmeiras, Inter Miami
• Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Botafogo
• Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica
• Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea
• Group E: Inter Milan, Monterrey
• Group F: Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense
• Group G: Manchester City, Juventus
• Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal