The 2025 Club World Cup has entered its knockout phase, with 16 teams left to compete for the grand prize. The tournament’s group stage delivered its fair share of drama, including the early exit of Atletico Madrid, who failed to progress after finishing behind Botafogo in Group B.
Meanwhile, top clubs like Bayern Munich and Chelsea couldn’t secure top spots in their groups, falling behind Flamengo and Benfica respectively.
Manchester City are now scheduled to face Al-Hilal in the round of 16 on June 30, while Chelsea, under new boss Enzo Maresca, will lock horns with Benfica. Both English sides are on the same side of the draw and could potentially meet in the semi-finals, setting up a blockbuster all-Premier League clash.
However, for teams eliminated in the semis, there will be no shot at consolation. FIFA has confirmed that the 2025 edition will not feature a third-place playoff. The decision stems from increasing concerns around player fatigue and the physical toll of an expanded tournament.
On the opposite side of the bracket, football fans are in for a treat as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami prepare to take on his former club Paris Saint-Germain. Other key matchups include Real Madrid facing Juventus, Borussia Dortmund clashing with Monterrey, and Bayern Munich going head-to-head with Flamengo.
The knockout rounds continue with the quarter-finals set for July 4 and 5, followed by the semi-finals on July 8 and 9. The final, which will crown the Club World Cup champions, takes place on Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
In terms of financial rewards, the tournament is highly lucrative. Each group stage win earns £1.4 million, while a draw nets £739,000. Reaching the round of 16 brings in £5.5 million, the quarter-finals £9.6 million, and the semi-finals £15.5 million. The runner-up will pocket £22.1 million, and the winner will walk away with a massive £29.5 million.
So, while there’s no third-place medal up for grabs, the financial incentives and global prestige ensure that every match counts in this historic 32-team edition of the Club World Cup.