2025 FIFA Club World Cup Power Rankings: Grading all 32 teams before the tournament kicks off

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to be the biggest club tournament ever – 32 teams, one summer, and a chance for club football’s finest to stake their claim on the global stage.

From European giants like Manchester City and Real Madrid to underdog champions from Asia, Africa and beyond, this format brings with it a unique blend of star power, storylines and surprises.

Here, we’ve ranked all 32 teams from strongest to weakest, based on current form, squad depth, recent achievements and realistic expectations heading into the tournament.

Some teams are here to win it all. Others? Just making it is the victory. Let the power ranking begin.

1. Real Madrid (UEFA)

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Real Madrid top the list thanks to their six Champions League titles since 2014 and consecutive CWC qualifications in 2022 and 2024. Kylian Mbappe has been exceptional, scoring 31 La Liga goals and 43 in all competitions. Facing Al-Hilal, Pachuca and Salzburg in Group H, Madrid are clear favourites.

2. Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA)

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PSG come in off the back of their first Champions League win. Although Mbappe has departed, they look a team reborn, led by Ousmane Dembele and Co. In Group B with Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and Seattle, PSG have the firepower to dominate.

3. Manchester City (UEFA)

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Manchester City arrive as defending 2023 champions. Rodri, recovering from injury, returns after a stellar tournament performance in that triumph. Paired with Juventus, Wydad and Al Ain in Group G, City’s unparalleled squad depth makes them a very real threat to retain their crown.

4. Bayern Munich (UEFA)

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Bayern Munich are former CWC winners and the 2024-25 Bundesliga champions. Drawn in Group C alongside Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica, their deep, experienced squad makes them a top contender for this year’s title.

5. Chelsea (UEFA)

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Chelsea won the Club World Cup in 2021 and enter this year’s edition fresh off the back of a top-five Premier League finish and a continental triumph in the Conference League. The Blues face Flamengo, Esperance, and LAFC in Group D. Expectations are high for this expensive young squad.

6. Inter Milan (UEFA)

Inter were runners-up in Serie A and the Champions League this season, which speak to their quality. But the loss of manager Simone Inzaghi, who has joined Al-Hilal, is a blow. In Group E with River Plate, Monterrey and Urawa, their experience warrants high expectations.

7. Atletico Madrid (UEFA)

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Atletico are notoriously aggressive and defensively rigorous under Diego Simeone. With PSG, Botafogo and Seattle in their group, their disciplined style should see them progress to the knockout rounds, where they are always a tough out.

8. Juventus (UEFA)

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Juventus carry star names and big-match know-how. Positioned with City, Wydad, and Al Ain, they aim to at least claim Group G’s second place.

9. Borussia Dortmund (UEFA)

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Dortmund’s attacking style is exciting but can be erratic. In Group F with Fluminense, Ulsan, and Sundowns, they have opportunity to advance.

10. Botafogo (CONMEBOL)

Botafogo, the 2024 Copa Libertadores champions, will aim to challenge PSG and Atletico for progression from Group B. Their flair and attacking philosophy make them dangerous opponents.

11. Benfica (UEFA)

Second-best in Portugal to cross-city rivals Sporting this season, Benfica will hope to end the campaign on a high by leaping over Boca Juniors or Bayern to qualify from Group B.

12. Flamengo (CONMEBOL)

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Flamengo, the 2022 Copa Libertadores winners, bring flair and aggression. Paired with Chelsea in Group D, they seem well placed to finish second and push for progress in the knockout phase.

13. River Plate (CONMEBOL)

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River Plate’s consistency in Libertadores campaigns makes them solid Group E contenders. They match up well with Inter and carry South American grit and resilience. In 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono, they have one of the tournament’s most talked-about young stars who will join Real Madrid next season.

14. Palmeiras (CONMEBOL)

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Palmeiras, Libertadores champions in 2021, benefit from a favourable draw that has seen them matched in Group A with Porto, Al Ahly and Inter Miami. That, plus their depth and familiarity with big matches make, makes among the strongest non-European teams.

15. Porto (UEFA)

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Porto’s vast Champions League experience make them strong challengers in Group A, where they should qualify as one of the top-two finishers, despite a disappointing season that saw them rank third domestically.

16. Inter Miami (CONCACAF)

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Inter Miami earned their spot by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Coach Javier Mascherano said, “We are in a group that in terms of names does not scare as much as others.” With Lionel Messi having earned the MVP award in his first full MLS season, Miami could leverage home support to reach the knockout stage.

17. Red Bull Salzburg (UEFA)

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Salzburg qualified as UEFA’s ninth-ranked side. Known for youth development and aggressive pressing, they face Madrid, Al-Hilal and Pachuca. Their energy and cohesion give them upset potential.

18. Fluminense (CONMEBOL)

Fluminense, winners of the 2023 Libertadores, bring consistent quality and flair. They are poised to challenge Dortmund in Group F.

19. Boca Juniors (CONMEBOL)

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Boca Juniors remain giants of South American football. In Group C with Bayern and Benfica, they could snatch second place if they play to their potential.

20. Al-Hilal (AFC)

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Although they were unable to lure top target Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United this summer, Al-Hilal’s squad includes such star names as Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. In Group H with Madrid, Salzburg and Pachuca, they are dark-horse contenders.

21. Pachuca (CONCACAF)

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Winners of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, Pachuca are likely to struggle in Group H, but talismanic veteran striker Salomon Rondon remains a threat for any defence. He’s scored 12 goals in 31 appearances this season.

22. Seattle Sounders FC (CONCACAF)

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The 2022 Concacaf champions are enduring a mediocre MLS season so far, currently sixth in the Western Conference with seven wins and six losses to their name. A tough draw has pitted them against PSG and Atletico Madrid in Group B.

23. Los Angeles FC (CONCACAF)

LAFC qualified via playoff. With Chelsea and Flamengo in their group, they are outsiders but capable of a springing an upset.

24. Monterrey (CONCACAF)

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Monterrey were Concacaf champions in 2021. In Group E, they will have their sights set on the runner-up spot with strong performances against Inter and River Plate.

25. Al Ain (AFC)

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Al Ain earned their spot in the 2025 Club World Cup by winning the 2023-24 AFC Champions League. Despite their breakthrough continental success, Al-Ain have struggled domestically since Their Champions League win. Third place in Group G would be considered a successful showing.

26. Auckland City (OFC)

Representing Oceania, Auckland City are underdogs against the European powerhouses. They have won the OFC Champions League four years running, but getting out of a group that includes Bayern, Boca Juniors and Benfica would be an even greater achievement.

27. Urawa Red Diamonds (AFC)

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Urawa, 2022 AFC Champions League winners, have an organised, physically strong squad. Group E provides a stiff test in the form of Inter, River Plate and Monterrey, but they will be competitive.

28. Wydad Casablanca (CAF)

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Wydad were the 2021 CAF champions. Facing City and Juventus, they aim to leave an impression on the world stage, even if getting out of the group will likely be too tall of a task.

29. Mamelodi Sundowns (CAF)

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South Africa’s dominant club, the Sundowns enter Group F with their most optimistic aim being a third-place finish and a competitive showing against Dortmund and Fluminense.

30. Esperance de Tunis (CAF)

By far Tunisia’s most dominant club, Esperance have won the domestic title 18 times in the last 25 years. They last won the CAF Champions League in 2019 and getting out of a tough group E would be equally impressive.

31. Al Ahly (CAF)

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Al Ahly are Africa’s most successful club. In Group A with Palmeiras, Porto and Inter Miami, they could spring a surprise by being more competitive than most expect.

32. Ulsan Hyundai (AFC)

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The reigning back-to-back-to-back Korean champions will have a hard time replicating their domestic superiority in the Club World Cup, with Dortmund and Fluminense expected to progress from their group.

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