FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Rivalries, and Messi Magic Headline Group Stage Action

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its revamped format, has delivered a compelling narrative as it progresses towards the Round of 16. Featuring an expanded roster of teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple host cities, and innovative referee perspectives, the tournament in the United States is evolving into a spectacle reminiscent of the prestigious quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have lauded the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans in their shared passion for the sport. The extended month-long duration and the inclusion of numerous debutant teams have significantly elevated the competition's profile.

Representing all six confederations, the 2025 lineup boasts 12 teams from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and 1 from the host nation.

With the group stage concluded and the field narrowed to 16 contenders, this edition of the Club World Cup has already witnessed its share of unexpected results, classic underdog stories, and intense rivalries, both on and off the pitch.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

Auckland City, ranked a distant 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked participant. Drawn into a group with powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors, their prospects appeared bleak. It’s important to note that Auckland City is comprised of amateur players competing in New Zealand's Northern League, a league of just 12 teams.

Their tournament began with a crushing 0-10 defeat to Bayern Munich, the largest margin of victory thus far, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City defied expectations. Despite a staggering 4,819-point difference in rankings and Boca's storied history, the amateur squad secured a 1-1 draw, denying Boca Juniors a crucial spot in the Round of 16.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance

In Group A, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami faced a daunting challenge against Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. However, led by Messi, along with fellow stars Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami defied expectations and secured a place in the Round of 16, finishing second in their group.

Although they managed only one victory, it proved sufficient. Following a draw against Al Ahly in their opening match, Miami faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a remarkable free kick, propelled them to a 2-1 triumph. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their final group game sealed their progression to the knockout stage.

Tensions Flare and Conditions Test

Emotions ran high during the final matchday in Group E, as River Plate's hopes of reaching the Round of 16 were dashed by Inter. The final whistle ignited a heated confrontation between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from teammates and staff. The animosity stemmed from a previous encounter three years prior, with Acuna referencing Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

Beyond on-field clashes, extreme heat and humidity presented significant challenges. Teams implemented measures such as ice baths and cold towels to mitigate the impact on players. Borussia Dortmund even resorted to having substitutes watch their match against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching conditions. Thunderstorms also caused delays to multiple games.

Adding another layer of complexity, both ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintained a presence at the tournament, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status for entry.

Concerns Arise Ahead of 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, less than a year away, the Club World Cup has brought potential issues to light. Concerns have been raised regarding pitch quality and adverse weather conditions.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham voiced his dissatisfaction with the playing surfaces, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all."

Familiar Faces Remain Strong

Despite the emergence of underdog stories and unexpected results, established European powerhouses continue to dominate the competition. Teams such as 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 advanced to 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