There may be no international tournament in men’s football next summer, but FIFA have opted against handing players some much-needed respite by introducing an expanded Club World Cup.
Once a ferocious battle between the best of South America and Europe, the competition has taken on several forms since its Intercontinental Cup days (which it’s dressed up as again in 2024), but has doubtlessly dwindled in significance in some parts of the world.
It’s a trophy that’s no longer regarded as legacy defining among European clubs, but is treated as seismic in other quarters of the globe.
In a bid to supply greater significance to their Club World Cup, FIFA have regenerated the competition in a big way. The great expansion means 32 teams will vie for glory next summer, and the draw for the tournament is upcoming.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw.
FIFA have scheduled the 2025 Club World Cup draw well in advance of the start of the tournament, which gets underway on 15 June.
The draw has been pencilled in for Thursday 5 December and will get underway at 13:00 local time (19:00 CET / 18:00 GMT).
Miami is one of the host cities for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup / Mike Ehrmann/GettyImages
With the tournament taking place in the USA, the draw is being held in the States. Miami, one of the host cities for next summer’s event and the 2026 World Cup, will stage Thursday’s draw.
The Club World Cup draw can be streamed via FIFA.com, FIFA+ and supporting channels.
All 32 spots at next summer’s Club World Cup have been filled, and the teams will be assigned to four different pots ahead of Thursday’s draw.
The 32 teams are split into eight groups of four, with the eight teams in each pot being drawn into different groups. Pot 1 teams will be drawn first, then Pot 2, etc, etc, until the draw is complete.
There will be no need for knockout round draws, as is the case with the Champions League. The routes for each team to the final will be mapped out via Thursday’s draw.
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