Expert Predictions for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
You can never get enough football, right?
That's an assumption FIFA and Gianni Infantino are putting to the test, with the refreshed Club World Cup bringing four weeks of international club football starting on Saturday.
What was once a tournament for seven intercontinental cup winners has been expanded to 32 teams, with participants selected by performance in confederational tournaments over the previous four years.
Looking down the list of clubs lining up the United States, there are the usual subjects, some unusual omissions and some baffling selections, but it all adds up to some fascinating matchups—many of which we've never seen before.
While it's difficult to anticipate how much effort the teams will be putting into the revamped competition, a $1 billion prize pot will be pretty mouth-watering and should encourage some top performances and the appearance of star players.
Ahead are a few predictions on what we can expect from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Will Settle Quickly at Real Madrid
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Players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to feature at some point during the tournament, but perhaps the most interesting player in action will be Trent Alexander-Arnold.
After a lengthy and emotional contract holdout, the 26-year-old has swapped Merseyside for Madrid in a move that everybody saw coming.
Few players elicit such severely polarizing takes as Alexander-Arnold, with some convinced he's the best right-back in a generation and others insistent that he is massively overrated.
At Real Madrid, we should get a better idea of where he really lies on that scale.
His defensive shortcomings have long been a stick to beat him with. Up against a collection of opponents a step down from Premier League intensity levels in La Liga, we'll get a better idea of how harsh or accurate those assessments were.
But his position will surely be tweaked further at Real Madrid from the inverted-wing-back-cum-center-midfield role he made his own at Liverpool.
New Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, a former pass-master himself, will have likely drawn up a blueprint for how he expects the man from West Derby to function in his XI.
At the Club World Cup, we'll get initial indications of how those aspects of his game will play out in a white jersey. The quality of opponent might not be the strongest, but RB Salzburg, Pachuca and Al Hilal will provide a solid opening gauntlet.
Despite many hoping to see him fall flat on his face (from Liverpool fans to rival supporters), Alexander-Arnold will pass his first test with flying colors, setting the table for a successful career at the biggest club on the planet.
Inter Milan Won't Make It Past Group E
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The pain will continue for Inter Milan.
After a humiliating 5-0 defeat in the UEFA Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain, there are a lot of open wounds among the Nerazzurri.
Those were opened further with the departure of Simone Inzaghi, the man who took the club to two Champions League finals in three years and guided them to the Serie A title in 2023-24.
Cristian Chivu has taken charge of the infirmary, and he'll be tasked with bringing the squad back to full health.
The Club World Cup won't offer any respite, though. The group isn't the toughest, but Inter are far too broken to make a success of it.
River Plate and Monterrey will be difficult outs, while Urawa Red Diamonds always seem to step up against international opponents.
With Inter already limping, they'll all go in for the kill, ensuring the Serie A side will be going home in a box after the group stage.
Palmeiras Will Top Group A
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Palmeiras, one of the most successful club teams in Brazilian football history, have landed in Group A alongside FC Porto, Al Ahly and Inter Miami.
It's possibly the toughest group to call, with no true favorites and difficult-to-predict matchups at every turn.
But the South Americans are used to stiff competition, and they can certainly get the better of each of those opponents.
Porto are rapidly dropping off the pace in Portugal, Al Ahly will be overwhelmed by the step up in competition, and Inter Miami might have Lionel Messi but are undoubtedly beatable.
That leaves Palmeiras with a straight shot to pick up valuable points against each opponent and top the group.
With players looking to prove a point in Richard Rios, Vitor Roque and Paulinho in hopes of sealing a big-money move to Europe, there will be plenty of hunger in the squad, which should translate to statement wins.
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Paris Saint-Germain Will Finish Second in Group B to Atletico Madrid
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Despite their stunning journey to a Champions League title, culminating in a dominant thrashing of Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain won't maintain those levels at the Club World Cup.
Sure, the prize money is appealing, and winning a tournament they've never won will be an extra feather in the cap. But so soon after the Champions League final, it just doesn't feel like the energy levels will be there for an assault on the trophy.
In a group that features Atletico Madrid, fatigued bodies against a rampant, destructive force is a recipe for disaster, which is something Luis Enrique might want to avoid for the sake of longevity.
Les Parisiens will be fine, and they'll still progress to the knockouts. They just won't perform with as much gusto, leaving the way clear for Atletico to top Group B.
Manchester City Will Win the Whole Thing
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After an embarrassing season by their lofty standards, Manchester City will want to remind everyone of their capabilities.
With a hefty prize chest available for winning the tournament, those spoils can be used to fund the spending spree they've already embarked upon, with Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders already putting pen to paper to confirm their new allegiance to the Citizens.
What's more, a group that features Wydad, Al Ain and an out-of-sorts Juventus should be easy to top without getting out of third gear. In the round of 16, they'll have a likely meeting with Al Hilal, Pachuca or RB Salzburg, and in the quarters—assuming Inter don't progress—they'll possibly find River Plate or Fluminense.
City should conserve plenty of energy in those matchups, and a desire to right some wrongs will provide plenty of motivation in the semis and the final.
This could be theirs to lose.
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