FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Messi Magic, and Weather Woes Define Group Stage

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its 21st edition, is already delivering a series of compelling narratives as it progresses towards the Round of 16. This year's revamped competition, hosted in the United States, boasts an expanded format, a redesigned trophy, multiple venues, and even the introduction of referee cams, drawing parallels with the prestigious quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have hailed the tournament as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans through their shared passion for the sport. The month-long event has seen several debutants and a significant increase in stature.

The tournament features teams from all six confederations: 12 from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and the host nation's representative.

With the group stage concluded and the field narrowed to 16 teams, this edition of the Club World Cup has already witnessed its share of upsets, underdog victories, and intense clashes, both on and off the field.

Auckland City's Unforeseen Stand

Auckland City, ranked 4,971st by Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. They found themselves in a group with powerhouses Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. The New Zealand-based club is comprised of amateur players competing in their domestic Northern League, which features just 12 teams.

Their journey began with a harsh 0-10 defeat against Bayern Munich, the tournament's biggest margin of victory, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, already eliminated, Auckland City defied expectations. In a classic David vs. Goliath encounter, the amateurs held Boca to a 1-1 draw, denying the South American side a crucial win and a place in the Round of 16. The result, considering the 4,819-point ranking difference and Boca's storied history, was a monumental achievement for Auckland.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, despite being drawn alongside Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras, exceeded expectations. Led by Messi, alongside former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami secured a spot in the Round of 16, finishing second in Group A.

Despite securing only one win, Inter Miami's performance was enough to advance. After a draw against Al Ahly, they faced Porto. Messi's brilliance shone through, as he scored a stunning free-kick to secure a 2-1 victory. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their final match confirmed their place in the next round.

A Club World Cup Filled with Tension

Emotions ran high on the final matchday of Group E, where River Plate's hopes of reaching the Round of 16 were dashed by Inter Milan. The final whistle triggered a near-brawl between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from both teams and their staff. The animosity stemmed from a previous encounter three years prior, with Acuna showcasing a shin guard adorned with the 2022 World Cup trophy logo, a reminder of Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in a heated quarter-final decided by penalties.

The "heat" wasn't limited to on-field clashes. Heatwaves and extreme temperatures forced teams to provide ice baths and cold towels to their players. Borussia Dortmund even took the extreme measure of having their substitutes watch their match against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching heat, with their coach comparing the conditions to a "sauna." Thunderstorms and lightning caused delays in at least five matches.

Beyond the weather, the presence of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) at the tournament marked a first, with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also playing a role, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend games.

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, this Club World Cup has highlighted several potential issues. Pitch quality and extreme weather conditions have been significant concerns.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the poor pitch conditions, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all," following his team's match against Pachuca.

Familiar Faces Remain in Contention

Despite the surprises and underdog stories, the tournament remains dominated by Europe's elite clubs. Real Madrid and Manchester City continue to be favorites to lift the trophy. Five teams – 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