Predict the final standings for each group

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been reworked, expanded and shipped to the United States, with next summer's tournament marking a new era for the competition.

The battle for the title of world champion has often been a tepid battle for the European giants, but now Competition: 32 teams It will raise the stakes for all participants. 12 UEFA clubs will compete against the best and brightest from the other five continental confederations, with over a month of soccer played in North America.

the Group stage draw It was completed and, apart from the justified question marks over the renewal of the tournament, it sparked some interesting and unprecedented duels, with teams such as Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester City and Bayern Munich now knowing their opponents.

Here are some early predictions on how each of the eight groups will fare.

Inter Miami They may be the team receiving the most attention in Group A – despite being listed as only the host club – but they are unlikely to be one of the top two teams to qualify for the knockout stage. The Hirons could very well struggle against some of the world's most famous clubs on their continents, and will likely hit rock bottom despite the inevitable influence of Lionel Messi.

This may be one of the few groups where a non-European team wins. Porto is an excellent team and it is difficult to measure their level compared to clubs they have never met, but Palmeiras, the 2021 Copa Libertadores champions, may take first place. The Brazilian team finished second in the 2024 Brazilian League behind Botafogo after winning the title the previous season.

Al-Ahly also has a strong chance of reaching the round of 16 as defending AFC Champions League champions. The Egyptian giant has won the continent's top prize in three of the past four years and is the dominant force in Africa.

Two of UEFA's top hitters are competing in Group B, with… Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain Fighting for the lead. The pair have already met in the 2024/25 Champions League stage, with a 93rd-minute winner sealing the win for the Spanish side in the French capital.

However, there is no guarantee that both teams will qualify for the playoffs. Botafogo won its first Copa Libertadores title in 2024 and also finished top of the Brazilian Primera Division. They are one of the teams that Europe's elite will have to keep a close eye on, and Artur Gheorghi's men could cause some upsets.

Unfortunately for the Seattle Sounders, they find themselves in this situation The toughest group in the competitionThey will be pleased if they can get any points from their three matches in the group stage. However, they have the advantage of playing in familiar territory.

Those looking for an upset in the third set are set to be disappointed. Very likely so Bayern Munich He would easily take first place in a routine set for the German giants. Having already beaten Benfica in the Champions League this year, they will be heavy favorites to secure maximum points from their three matches next summer.

Benfica and Boca Juniors are likely to compete for the remaining qualifying spot, but it is difficult to look beyond the Portuguese giant's second-place finish. Boca are no longer the force they once were in South America, even if they reached the Copa Libertadores final last season.

You should feel for Auckland City, who are participating in their 12th Club World Cup. They are the sole representative of the Oceania Football Confederation, but are unlikely to fly the confederation's flag particularly high. They'll be lucky to get any points.

Chelsea He must make a relatively simple effort to snatch top spot in Group 4. The Blues are currently flying under Enzo Maresca and will be considered among the favorites to win the Club World Cup if they maintain their form before the end of the season.

However, Brazilian giants Flamengo will pose a challenge, and are currently coached by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis. They have won two of the last six Copa Libertadores titles and also lost in the final in 2021, but they are no longer the dominant force in Brazilian football.

Both Esperance of Tunisia and Leon of Mexico will compete to avoid fourth place and disappoint expectations. Perhaps the former, who is participating for the fourth time in the tournament, will be the one who sneaks into third place.

There could be a few question marks InterThe team's position as favorites in Group E. 2022/23 Champions League finalists and Italian League Champions 2023/24 The team could win the title in mid-July, boast a star-studded squad, and will have no trouble beating South American, CONCACAF and AFC teams.

The battle for second place will be interesting. River Plate, like rivals Boca, are no longer one of the leading forces in South American football following the return of some Brazilian giants, but they have a strong chance of qualifying for the last 16.

Monterrey is the strongest team in CONCACAF at the moment and the Mexican team has a lot of experience in the Club World Cup. They should overtake Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, who finish 13th in the J1 League in 2024.

Like many European teams competing in next summer's tournament, the 2023/24 Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund The German team must qualify for Group F. The German side are an inconsistent force under Nuri Sahin, but are far too good for their group stage rivals.

Fluminense is a far cry from the team that won the Copa Libertadores in 2023. The team has been battling relegation in the Brazilian Primera Division in 2024 and will struggle to get ahead of any of their rivals unless they improve dramatically.

South Korean team Ulsan HD and South African Mamelodi Sundowns are expected to engage in an exciting battle for second place. Things could go either way, but the African side could secure qualification to the knockout rounds.

Manchester City The 2024/25 season may be uncharacteristically sloppy after dominating English football for so long, but the Citizens will almost certainly have found their feet by the time next summer's Championship gets underway in June. They should finish top of Group G if they rediscover their best form.

Juventus It will cause them problems, of course, but the Italian side have not gotten off to a glowing start in life under Thiago Motta in 2024/25. It is unclear where they will be by the time the Club World Cup takes place, but they should still be good enough to finish ahead of the group's representatives in the AFC and Confederation of African Football.

UAE club Al Ain are the current AFC Champions League champions and will fancy their chances of causing an upset under former Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim. Moroccan Wydad is a capable team, but it is unlikely to compete for first and second places.

real madrid and Al Hilal They played out a thrilling 5-3 defeat in the 2022 Club World Cup final and will face off again in Group H. Los Blancos will be clear favorites to top the standings – and perhaps win the tournament – but they will be tested against Al Hilal. The team that was the Saudi Professional League champion in 2023/24 and boasts the likes of Neymar, Joao Cancelo and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Al Hilal could be the non-European team that reaches the farthest in the 2025 Club World Cup, even if it does not win its group. Jorge Jesus' side boast some excellent footballers throughout the squad and could be the hipster's pick for a potential upset.

Unfortunately for Austria's Red Bull Salzburg and Mexico's Pachuca, Group H is unlikely to be productive. They may be fighting to avoid last place next summer and are unlikely to cause many problems for Madrid and Al Hilal.

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