The FIFA Club World Cup is set to take center stage this summer, ushering in a new era for the tournament. For years, world football’s governing body has been sitting on a potential gold mine with this particular competition, but they refused to pull the trigger on transformation. The planet’s continental champions battled it out among one another, usually out in Asia, for little more than bragging rights.
This summer, that all changes.
New Look
The upcoming tournament has been completely revamped and will now mirror its international World Cup counterpart. 32 teams will be split up into eight groups of four, with each outfit playing the other three teams in their quartet. The top two teams will then advance to the round of 16, where single-elimination rounds will lead to the final at MetLife Stadium on July 13th.
European Heavyweights Gun For Gold
When it comes to Europe’s elite clubs, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Giants like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City are entering the tournament not just with their reputations on the line but also with an eye on the jaw-dropping prize money.
And online sports betting sites are already speculating as to who will leave the Land of the Free with the gold this July. Courtesy of the headlines and anticipation surrounding the tournament, it goes without saying that futures, pre-match, and live sports betting at Bovada and similar sites will be available for every game. The betting giant currently lists both Real Madrid and Manchester City as the joint +450 favorites, with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan narrowly behind.
Los Blancos are serial winners of silverware, and they will once again look to assert their dominance, this time on the global stage. Their haul of 15 Champions League titles is a record number, and by some distance. Similarly, their five Club World Cup crowns are also a record, and with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham driving their campaign, the Spanish titans appear ready to conquer yet another frontier.
Manchester City are similarly strong, but they have had a dismal season. Perennial contenders, The Blues surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool with a whimper after four straight triumphs, and they didn’t fare much better on the continental stage either. Pep Guardiola will be pinning his hopes on the return to fitness of talismanic midfielder Rodri, and if the reigning Ballon d’Or holder is fully fit, he could be the difference between a disappointing season and ending the campaign as the World Champions.
New Faces Add Intrigue
Some teams could have an influx of new talent in their squads ahead of the Club World Cup curtain raiser between Inter Miami and Al Ahly on June 14th. Clubs are wasting no time retooling their already stacked squads ahead of the tournament, intent on elevating their chances of success. Among the biggest headlines is the long-anticipated move of Liverpool academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid; he is slated to join the Spanish powerhouse once his contract expires on June 30th.
However, in recent days, Los Blancos have approached the Reds with an offer of £1m to seal the deal for the best right back on the planet before his current contract expires. The Spanish side is looking to add the 26-year-old to their ranks in time for their first game of the tournament on June 18th against Al Hilal. And it has to be said, the deal makes sense for all parties.
Liverpool won’t be featuring at the Club World Cup this summer; therefore, whether Alexander-Arnold leaves them on June 1st or June 30th really makes no difference. Real Madrid, meanwhile, is currently without a right back. The veteran Dani Carvajal has been injured all season, forcing the club to turn towards winger Lucas Vazquez and midfielder Federico Valverde as stand-ins. Should they secure the England international, he would give Los Blancos a much better chance at leaving MetLife Stadium with the trophy, although their desperation may mean that the Reds seek more than the £1m compensation currently being offered to them.
Non-European Sides Look to Make an Impression
While European clubs traditionally dominate the Club World Cup, the 2025 edition gives non-European teams an unmissable opportunity to stand out. Three Brazilian teams have won the tournament in its previous format, namely Corinthians, São Paulo, and Internacional. However, none of them will be in the States this summer.
Inter Miami is one team that is looking to make an impression. With Lionel Messi leading the charge, the MLS side will be looking to showcase that an entire region is keen on proving its football growth. Messi has showcased over the years that he has what it takes to shine on the brightest stage, and that’s unquestionably still the case today.
Messi adds his first Inter Miami assist to his 2 goals tonight! 🤯🔥
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) July 26, 2023
Similarly, Argentinian powerhouses Boca Juniors and River Plate enter the tournament with rich legacies and fervent fan bases. For these icons, the FIFA Club World Cup isn’t just a competition; it’s a matter of pride. With their rosters built on fierce competitiveness and technical prowess, they’ll push the tournament’s favorites to the limit.
And then there’s Brazil’s Palmeiras, a club accustomed to success in South America. Their comprehensive attacking style makes them a dangerous opponent capable of surprising even the most star-studded European teams.
The question is, will any of these non-European clubs manage to dethrone the usual champions from Europe? History suggests it’ll be an uphill climb, but the expanded format gives them a fighting chance.
