FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Messi Magic, and 2026 World Cup Concerns Emerge From Group Stage

The revamped FIFA Club World Cup, now in its 21st edition and heading into the Round of 16, has delivered a compelling mix of expected dominance and surprising upsets. With an expanded format featuring more teams, a new trophy, additional venues, and even referee cameras, this year's competition in the United States is drawing comparisons to the prestigious quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have lauded the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans through their shared passion for the sport. The inclusion of numerous debutants and the tournament's extended month-long duration have significantly elevated its status.

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 lineup is a truly global affair.

With the group stage concluded and the field narrowed to 16 teams, this edition of the Club World Cup has already produced its share of unexpected results, classic David vs. Goliath clashes, and intense moments both on and off the pitch.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

Auckland City, ranked a distant 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. Drawn into a group with powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors, their prospects appeared bleak. It’s important to note that Auckland City's squad is comprised largely of amateurs who compete in New Zealand's Northern League, a competition featuring only 12 teams.

The team endured a harsh introduction to the tournament, suffering a 0-10 defeat to Bayern Munich – the largest margin of victory this year – followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City, already eliminated, played with nothing to lose. Against all odds, the underdogs secured a 1-1 draw, denying Boca Juniors a crucial victory needed to advance to the Round of 16. The result, marked by a staggering 4,819-point ranking difference, was a monumental achievement for the amateur side.

Messi and Miami Advance

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami defied expectations in Group A, which also included Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. Despite being considered underdogs, Messi, supported by former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, guided Inter Miami to the Round of 16, finishing second in their group.

Although Inter Miami secured only one win, it proved sufficient for qualification. Following a draw against Al Ahly in their opening match, Miami faced a daunting challenge against Porto. However, Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, propelled them to a 2-1 victory. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their final group game sealed their place in the knockout stage.

Tensions Flare

The final matchday in Group E saw tempers flare as River Plate's hopes of reaching the Round of 16 were dashed by Inter Milan. The final whistle sparked a confrontation between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from teammates and staff. The animosity, stemming from a previous encounter three years prior, saw Acuna taunt Dumfries with a reference to Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in the heated 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

The challenges weren't limited to on-field clashes. Extreme heat and humidity forced teams to implement cooling strategies, such as ice baths and cold towels. Borussia Dortmund took the extra step of having substitutes watch the game from the locker room. Thunderstorms caused delays in at least five matches.

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

Concerns for the 2026 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 potential issues. Concerns over pitch quality, heat, and weather conditions have raised questions about the readiness for the upcoming global tournament.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham openly criticized the 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 Favorites Emerge

Despite the underdog stories and unexpected results, the Club World Cup remains a stage for Europe's elite. Teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City are still favored to win. Five teams – Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca – were eliminated without earning a single point.

Qualified Teams for 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