FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Features 26 World Cup Winners Among Participating Clubs

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature 32 top clubs, showcasing some of the best players from the past two decades. Among them are 26 FIFA World Cup winners. The tournament will take place in the United States, spanning 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 cities, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Thirteen players from Argentina's victorious 2022 squad will participate, with Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF expected to play in the opening match against Al Ahly FC on Saturday, 14th June. Nine members of France's 2018 winning team will also compete, including Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid C.F. and Hugo Lloris from Los Angeles Football Club.

The tournament highlights its global reach by featuring players from all six confederations and 81 countries. Notably, 22 nations will make their debut in a FIFA World Cup event. Nine out of the eleven host cities will see at least one group-stage game involving a FIFA World Cup winner, offering fans across the US a chance to witness top talent firsthand.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, "The list of participants at the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is a true reflection of a tournament that will be the most competitive and inclusive of global football, bringing together the best talents from every continent to decide the true FIFA world club champion."

Atlético de Madrid leads with six FIFA World Cup winners in their squad. CA River Plate follows closely with four. Other notable players include Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer from FC Bayern München, who were part of Germany's winning team in Brazil in 2014. Sergio Busquets from Inter Miami and Sergio Ramos from CF Monterrey were part of Spain's victorious squad in South Africa in 2010.

The initial squads for this competition could include between 26 to 35 players. Many teams strengthened their line-ups during an extraordinary transfer window open from 1st to 10th June. Some prominent names among these squads are Marcos Acuña, Julián Alvarez, Franco Armani, Ángel Correa, Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Di María, Enzo Fernández, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Lautaro Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Pavard and Germán Pezzella.

Squad Adjustments

In accordance with regulations, clubs have an opportunity to adjust their squads during a specific period between 27th June and 3rd July 2025. This allows for replacements or additions within set limits and conditions.

This new format aims to crown the first true global club world champions by gathering elite talents worldwide. The competition promises excitement as clubs vie for this prestigious title on an international stage.

With inputs from WAM