FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Group Stage Delivers Upsets, Messi Magic, and World Cup Warning Signs

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its 21st edition, is well underway, offering a fresh perspective with several changes. These include an expanded number of participating teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple host cities, and even the implementation of referee cameras. These updates bring the tournament closer to the scale and grandeur of the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have framed the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride, embodying the journey of every club, player, and fan united in their passion for the beautiful game." The tournament's month-long duration and inclusion of numerous debutants have significantly elevated its status.

Now featuring 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 1 from the host nation—the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup boasts a diverse and competitive lineup.

With the group stage concluded and the field narrowed to 16 teams, this edition has already delivered its share of surprises, David vs. Goliath matchups, and intense moments, both on and off the field.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

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 group with powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors.

The context: Auckland City's roster comprises amateur players competing in New Zealand's Northern League, a league of just 12 teams.

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

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City, already eliminated, had nothing to lose. In a classic underdog story, the amateurs defied expectations, denying Boca Juniors a place in the Round of 16, which they needed to advance. The 1-1 draw was made even sweeter by the 4,819-point ranking difference and Boca's storied history.

Messi and Miami Advance to the Round of 16

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, were placed in a challenging group alongside Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. Despite expectations, the Argentine superstar, supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, propelled his team to the Round of 16, finishing second in Group A.

Miami secured only one victory, but it proved sufficient to qualify. Following a draw against Al Ahly, they faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, secured a 2-1 win. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their final match sealed their spot in the knockout stage.

A Tense and Heated Tournament

Tensions flared on the final matchday of Group E, where River Plate needed a win to advance, but Inter Milan dashed their hopes. The final whistle sparked a confrontation between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from both teams and staff. The rivalry, stemming from a previous encounter, saw Acuna reminding Dumfries of Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

The heat extended beyond the field, with extreme temperatures forcing teams to use ice baths and cold towels for their players. Borussia Dortmund took the extra step of having substitutes watch their game against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching heat, which their coach likened to a 'sauna'. Thunderstorms also caused delays in at least five matches.

In addition to the physical heat, ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) have a strong presence at the tournament, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend matches.

Concerns for the Upcoming 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, heat, and overall weather conditions have presented challenges.

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 Still Dominate

Despite the emergence of underdog stories and a larger field of teams, the tournament remains a domain for Europe's elite. Powerhouses like Real Madrid and Manchester City are still favored to win the competition. However, some teams, including Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca, were eliminated without earning a single point.