Sport
2025 FIFA Club World Cup Draw Results: Full List
The draw for next year’s tournament took place in Miami and was conducted by Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero
After much anticipation, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 draw took place on Thursday night in the United States.
The draw for next year’s tournament took place in Miami and was conducted by Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero.
To be held in the US between June 15 and July 13, 2025, the revamped continental football club competition will see 32 clubs from around the world compete to be crowned world champions.
The draw meanwhile featured all 32 qualified teams from AFC, CAF, Concacaf, OFC and UEFA, sorted into groups of four.
The event format ensured that no group included more than one team from the same confederation, excluding UEFA. Teams from the same countries, like Chelsea and Manchester City and Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, also could not be drawn into the same group.
Among the big teams competing at next year’s tournament are UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid of Spain, Brazil’s Botafogo who won the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and Al Ahly of Egypt, who have claimed three of the last four CAF Champions League titles.
European teams have been given 12 places, while South America has six.
Most expect the eventual winner to come from either of these continents.
There are also four each from Asia, Africa and North America, with just one representative from Oceania.
Here’s the full list of results from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw.
Group A: Palmeiras (BRA); Porto (POR); Al Ahly (EGY); Inter Miami (USA)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA); Atletico Madrid (ESP); Botafogo (BRA); Seattle Sounders (USA)
Group C: Bayern Munich (GER); Auckland City (NZL); Boca Juniors (ARG); Benfica (POR)
Group D: Flamengo (BRA); Esperance de Tunis (TUN); Chelsea (ENG); Leon (MEX)
Group E: River Plate (ARG); Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN); Monterrey (MEX); Inter (ITA)
Group F: Fluminense (BRA); Borussia Dortmund (GER); Ulsan HD (KOR); Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Group G: Manchester City (ENG); Wydad (MAR); Al Ain (UAE); Juventus (ITA)
Group H: Real Madrid (ESP); Al Hilal (KSA); Pachuca (MEX); Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)
For the first time in the tournament’s 24-year history, 32 clubs will take part in the Club World Cup in the same format used in the World Cup, which is contested by nations.
Typically, the Club World Cup has been contested with six to eight teams, but the new format will see the most teams in the competition’s history.
Qualified teams were determined by the winners of the continental club competitions, such as the Champions League, and the confederation’s four-year rankings.
Although the tournament layout is confirmed, the full schedule is yet to be announced.
The opening match will however take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 15, 2025, while the final will on July 13, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.
Japan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan have secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 after strong performances at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
The three Asian sides join hosts Qatar as confirmed representatives from the Asian Football Confederation for the expanded 48-team tournament later this year.
Japan booked their place after defeating Qatar and then beating China 2-1 in Group B. Anthony Motosuna and Maki Kitahara scored the goals that sealed a second straight victory and guaranteed qualification.
Saudi Arabia also advanced from Group A after a 2-0 win over Thailand. Marwan Al Yami opened the scoring early before Hassan Al Okrush added a late second goal, giving the Saudis six points from two matches following their opening win against Myanmar.
Tajikistan joined them after edging Myanmar 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Asadbek Makhtumov. The victory followed Tajikistan’s opening 2-0 win over Thailand and secured their place in Qatar 2026.
More teams could qualify on Sunday as the second round of matches in Groups C and D continues, with the final group-stage fixtures set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A delegation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has traveled to China following an official invitation from the Chinese government, in a move aimed at strengthening sports diplomacy and expanding technical cooperation in cricket between the two countries.
The delegation includes national coach Nawroz Mangal and players Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Faisal Shinozada, and Wahidullah Zadran.
Before their departure, ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan met with the delegation, reaffirming the board’s commitment to developing and globalizing Afghan cricket. He also referenced previous international engagement efforts, including a memorandum of understanding signed with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation focused on cricket development and technical collaboration.
Naseeb Khan highlighted existing economic and industrial ties between Afghanistan and China, expressing optimism that sports cooperation—particularly in cricket—could further strengthen bilateral relations. He emphasized that knowledge-sharing, technical exchange, and joint development initiatives would support the growth of the sport in both countries.
During their visit, the Afghan delegation is expected to hold discussions on cricket development, community engagement, and the role of sport in society. The program also includes participation in workshops, attendance at a cricket match organized by Chinese cricket authorities, and visits to sports technology and innovation exhibitions.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has increasingly pursued regional partnerships in recent years. Last year, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation covering technical exchange, capacity building, development programs, and educational workshops aimed at expanding cricket infrastructure and expertise in the region.
The United States is set to welcome the world with a major opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Los Angeles prepares to host a star-powered celebration marking the start of the tournament across North America.
FIFA announced that global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, June 12.
The event will officially launch what FIFA described as a “historic summer of football” across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Organizers said the ceremony will combine football, music and entertainment in a large-scale production designed to reflect the cultural diversity and global appeal of the tournament.
Gianni Infantino said the ceremony in Los Angeles would showcase the scale and ambition of the 2026 World Cup, adding that the lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the power of music to unite people.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, three opening ceremonies will take place across the three host nations. Mexico City will host the first ceremony on June 11, followed by celebrations in Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12.
The opening match in the United States will see the U.S. national team face Paraguay. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City and ending with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow all the action live on the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. ATN will broadcast matches live on Ariana Television, providing full coverage of the world’s biggest football event for Afghan viewers.
Fans are also encouraged to stay connected with Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, including match schedules, team news, and other FIFA World Cup 2026 developments as the tournament draws closer.
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