2025 FIFA Club World Cup Guide: Group H teams, managers, schedule

The football does not stop this summer, as almost three dozen of the world's best teams contest the revamped FIFA Club World Cup , with every game live and for free on DAZN.

Thirty-two teams will do battle in a new format that expands the event to a structure similar to those of major international tournaments, with eight groups of four set for 2025.

Here, DAZN News profiles the contenders and pretenders, and up next is  Group H - as we figure out just who will reach the knockout rounds and who will be packing their bags.

Group H - at a glance

Clubs

Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Red Bull Salzburg 

Fixtures

 

Real Madrid    

Getty Images

Perhaps the biggest draw of this summer's FIFA Club World Cup is the sight of Europe's most successful club heading Stateside for the tournament. 

Not only are the Spanish giants 15-time Champions League winners and La Liga champions on a record 36 occasions, but Real have also won the Club World Cup more times than any other side. 

They have lifted the trophy five times, with the last coming in 2022 as they beat Al Hilal in Rabat thanks to braces from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr. 

Those two superstars remain at the club, along with the likes of Jude Bellingham and new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be looking to fire them to another win.

Key man - Kylian Mbappe 

After a slowish start, Madrid quickly saw the real deal from Mbappe, who top scored with 43 goals in his first season with the club. 

When the French megastar is in full flow, there are very few who can match him as one of the best players on the planet. 

Manager - Xabi Alonso

The former Real Madrid midfielder has returned to the club as manager following Carlo Ancelotti's departure at the end of the La Liga season and will take charge for the tournament. 

Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to a historic treble in 2024 and hopes to have immediate success at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Fixtures 

 

Al Hilal   

Getty

It will be a fourth appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup for one of Saudi Arabia's most decorated clubs, as Al Hilal take their place in Group H. 

There could be some revenge on their minds, too, as they come up against Real Madrid, the side who beat them in the final of the 2022 tournament - their last appearance in the competition. 

Al Hilal qualified for this summer's festivities thanks to their 2021 AFC Champions League win and come with a squad that includes some well-known names. 

Alexsandar Mitrovic will lead the line for a team that can also boast Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Kaidou Koulibaly. 

Key man - Aleksandar Mitrovic 

Premier League fans know about Aleksandar Mitrovic's qualities, and he has continued to bang in the goals since moving to the Saudi Pro League in 2023. 

The big, powerful Serb netted 40 goals in his first season with the club and remains one of the most difficult strikers for defenders to play against. 

Manager - Mohammad Al-Shalhoub 

Mohammad Al-Shalhoub took over from experienced Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus in May.

Al-Shalhoub spent his entire 21-year playing career at the club, with his play leading to over 100 caps for Saudi Arabia as well.

The 44-year-old was an assistant manager with Al Hilal prior to Jorge Jesus' departure.

Fixtures 

Pachuca     

Oscar Fuentes/Jam Media/Getty Images

It's the first appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup for Mexican side Pachuca since 2017, making it their fifth tournament overall. 

Twice previously, they have finished third in the competition but could be seen as dark horses in a group dominated by heavyweights Real Madrid. 

Their 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup win secured their place in the States, and they are one of five CONCACAF teams competing this summer. 

The seven-time Mexican champions might be ones to watch in this group. 

Key man - Salomon Rondon

One for Premier League fans of a certain vintage! The big Venzuelan played for West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and Everton in the 2010s and is now leading the line for the Mexicans. 

He joined Pachuca in 2023 and became a club hero by netting twice in the club's 3-0 win over Columbus Crew to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup last June. 

Manager - Guillermo Almada

Almada has been in charge since 2021 after previously coaching across South America with teams such as River Plate and Barcelona SC. 

Since taking over at Pachuca, he's won the Liga MX and led them to glory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. 

Fixtures 

 

Red Bull Salzburg  

Marcel van Dorst/NurPhoto via Getty Images

2025 will see an Austrian team compete in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, as Red Bull Salzburg take advantage of the expanded tournament by making their debut. 

The seventeen-time Bundesliga champions qualified thanks to being the ninth-best ranked eligible team in the four-year ranking and are one of the dozen teams from Europe competing. 

Salzburg may go into the tournament as the continent's underdogs but will fancy their chances of making an impact in the group, even against the might of Real Madrid. 

They'll certainly be keen to make up for a disappointing Champions League campaign where they suffered a heavy defeat to Real, as well as Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. 
 

Key man -  Bobby Clark 

The young English midfielder took the plunge last summer by making a permanent move to Austria following a string of impressive performances for Liverpool. 

He has since become a regular in the Salzburg side and will be eager to show off his credentials on a global stage. 

Manager - Thomas Letsch

German coach Letsch was appointed in December following the sacking of former Liverpool number two Pepijn Lijnders. 

He came with plenty of European pedigree having previously managed Vitesse and Bochum, and has made a steady start to life in Salzburg. 

Fixtures 

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