Manchester City Discover Full Line-Up for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA
The stage is set for the first expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer, with Manchester City learning their potential opponents following the conclusion of the Copa Libertadores final.
Botafogo, despite playing with 10 men from the first minute, defeated Atletico Mineiro 3-1 to secure their spot, joining three other Brazilian teams in the tournament. This completes the 32-team roster for the historic competition.
The Teams Competing
The tournament will feature a mix of football giants from six confederations:
- UEFA: Chelsea (ENG), Real Madrid (SPA), Man City (ENG), Bayern Munich (GER), PSG (FRA), Inter Milan (ITA), Porto (POR), Benfica (POR), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Juventus (ITA), Atletico Madrid (SPA), Red Bull Salzburg (AUS).
- CONMEBOL: Palmeiras (BRA), Flamengo (BRA), Fluminense (BRA), River Plate (ARG), Boca Juniors (ARG), Botafogo (BRA).
- CONCACAF: Monterrey (MEX), Seattle Sounders (USA), Club Leon (MEX), Pachuca (MEX), Inter Miami (USA).
- AFC: Al-Hilal (KSA), Urawa Red Diamonds (JAP), Al Ain (UAE), Ulsan HD (KOR).
- CAF: Al Ahly (EGY), Wydad AC (MAR), Esperance de Tunis (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA).
- OFC: Auckland City (NZL).
Group Stage Draw
The group stage draw is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, at 6 pm UK time. The 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four, with FIFA expected to enforce rules limiting one club per confederation in each group (except UEFA, which can have two teams due to its higher number of qualifiers).
Seeding will likely play a key role. If ranking points at the time of qualification are used, Manchester City could share the top pot with clubs like Flamengo, Palmeiras, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, River Plate, Al-Hilal, and Al Ahly. This means City may avoid facing top European rivals like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the group stage but could encounter them in the knockout rounds.
What’s Next?
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup promises to deliver some of the most exciting matches in football, pitting the world’s elite clubs against one another on a global stage. For City, this presents a chance to further cement their dominance and potentially add another historic trophy to their collection.
