FIFA Club World Cup Kicks Off in New Format
This June marks a historic moment in the evolution of FIFA-organized club competitions. The FIFA Club World Cup returns after a two-year break, now in a completely new format. The tournament has expanded to include 32 teams, effectively turning it into an actual World Cup—only this time, for clubs. The goal is to offer more matches and more excitement for fans, though it’s clear there are also marketing motives behind the change. Many bettors following the action through Merkur XTip will appreciate the added opportunities that come with this tournament expansion.
On the flip side, this format adds extra strain on players at the end of a long season. With only a month for rest and pre-season preparations, questions are being raised about how top-tier clubs will manage their physical demands, and how that might affect key players who will bear much of the load during this demanding event.
USA to Host the Tournament
The Club World Cup will take place from June 14 to July 13. The United States has been selected as the host country, making this event a kind of dress rehearsal for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also be partially held in the U.S. A total of 63 matches will be played, spread across 12 stadiums in various cities: Atlanta, East Rutherford, Pasadena, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami Gardens, Nashville, Cincinnati, Washington, and two venues in Orlando.
Tournament Format
Thirty-two teams will be divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, a format that’s almost ideal for those planning to bet on the tournament matches. The Round of 16 and beyond will follow a classic single-elimination format.
Groups A and B
Group A includes Palmeiras (Brazil), Porto (Portugal), Al Ahly (Egypt), and Inter Miami (USA). Porto is seen as the favorite, while Palmeiras and Inter Miami are likely to battle for the second spot. As a host, Inter will be eager to progress, and even reaching the next round would be considered a success.
Group B features PSG (France), Atlético Madrid (Spain), Botafogo (Brazil), and Seattle Sounders (USA). PSG and Atlético are clear favorites. PSG, fresh off a Champions League win, will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinet. Atlético will hope to end a rocky season on a high note, while Botafogo and Seattle will aim to surprise.
Groups C and D
In Group C, Bayern Munich (Germany), Auckland City (New Zealand), Boca Juniors (Argentina), and Benfica (Portugal) will clash. It’s a highly watchable group, with Bayern expected to top it. While Auckland may appear weakest on paper, the tournament’s format leaves room for surprises, making betting in this group particularly intriguing.
Group D includes Flamengo (Brazil), Espérance (Tunisia), Chelsea (England), and LA Galaxy (USA). Chelsea is the group favorite, and anything less than advancing would be seen as a disappointment. The second qualifying spot is wide open, with the LA Galaxy hoping to make a deep run on home soil.
Groups E and F
Group E features River Plate (Argentina), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Monterrey (Mexico), and Inter Milan (Italy). As a Champions League finalist, Inter is expected to go through, while River Plate appears to be the main contender for second place.
Group F consists of Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Ulsan HD (South Korea), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa). Dortmund and Fluminense are clear favorites, and any upset here would be a major surprise.
Groups G and H
Group G brings together Manchester City (England), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Al Ain (UAE), and Juventus (Italy). The two European teams are favorites, but Wydad will aim to sneak into second place, making these matches prime candidates for live betting thanks to their unpredictability.
Finally, Group H includes Real Madrid (Spain), Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Pachuca (Mexico), and Red Bull Salzburg (Austria). Real Madrid’s advancement is almost a given, but the remaining three teams all have a shot at securing second place and moving on to the knockout rounds.
