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

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Unexpected Twists and Turns in Group Stage

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its 21st edition, has delivered a captivating group stage filled with surprises. This year's revamped tournament, hosted in the United States, boasts a larger format, a new trophy, more venues, and even referee cameras, bringing it closer to the scale of the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have touted the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans through their shared passion for the sport. The expanded competition features debutants and spans a full month, significantly elevating its importance.

With the group stage concluded and the final 16 teams determined, this edition of the Club World Cup has produced its share of unexpected results, underdog victories, and intense confrontations, 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 were drawn into a group with powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. It is important to note that Auckland City is comprised of amateur players competing in New Zealand's Northern League, which consists of only 12 teams.

The team began their campaign with a crushing 0-10 defeat against Bayern Munich, the tournament's largest margin of victory, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match with nothing to lose, Auckland City defied expectations. In a classic David-versus-Goliath scenario, the amateurs denied Boca Juniors a spot in the Round of 16, as the latter needed a win to advance. The 1-1 draw was a monumental achievement for Auckland, considering the 4,819-point ranking difference and Boca's storied history.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance to Round of 16

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, defied predictions in a group featuring Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. Supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Messi propelled his team to the Round of 16, finishing second in Group A.

Despite securing only one victory, it was enough for qualification. After a draw against Al Ahly in their opening match, Miami faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, secured a 2-1 win. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras sealed Miami's place in the next round.

Tensions Flare at the Club World Cup

Emotions ran high on the final matchday in Group E, where River Plate needed a win against Inter to advance. Inter, however, dashed their hopes. After the final whistle, River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries nearly engaged in a physical altercation, requiring intervention from both teams and support staff. The rivalry, which began three years prior, saw Acuna display the 2022 World Cup trophy logo on his shin guard to Dumfries, referencing Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in a heated quarter-final decided by penalties.

Extreme heat also impacted the tournament, with teams using ice baths and cold towels to cool down players. Borussia Dortmund took the extra step of having substitutes watch their match against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching heat, which their coach described as "sauna"-like conditions. Thunderstorms and lightning caused delays in at least five matches.

Adding another layer to the event, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were present at the tournament, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend games.

Concerns Arise Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, less than a year away, the Club World Cup has highlighted potential challenges. Issues such as pitch quality, heat, and weather conditions have raised concerns about the readiness for the upcoming World Cup.

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 in Charlotte.

Familiar Faces Still Dominate

Despite the emergence of underdog stories and an expanded field, the Club World Cup remains a battleground for Europe's elite teams. Powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Manchester City are still considered frontrunners to win the competition. Notably, 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 is a list of the teams that have qualified for 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