FIFA 2025 Club World Cup: The six continental champions now looking for world glory

This summer will see 32 of the world's best football clubs decend on the US for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, all live and for free on DAZN.

The new look tournament, which runs similar to a World Cup format over four weeks across June and July, will see the best of the best from each continent compete against each other.

While all 32 boast bulging trophy cabients, only a handful will enter the 2025 editon as a recent winner of their respective continent's ultimate acclodae, whether that is, say,  Europe's Champions League or South Amercia's Copa Libertadores.

DAZN News takes a look at the six current continental champions attempting to add the Club World Cup trophy to their shelves.

• Read next: 2025 Club World Cup ulimtate guide

Champions League winners - Real Madrid 

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The Champions League record holders managed to once again bring the European trophy back to the Spanish capital at the end of last season. Los Blancos secured their latest European victory after beating German side Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley, London.

It was Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title, as they continue to live up to the name 'Kings of Europe'. 

With French man Kylian Mbappe joining superstars like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior at the Santiago Bernabeu this term, expectations where high that the Madridistas would have number 16 in their possession come the Club World Cup.

However, following a convincing win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League play-offs, Madrid were dumped out of the competition by another English side, in the form of Arsenal, at the quarter-final stage.

That has sparked debate of a required rebuild this summer, with rumours that manager Carlo Ancelotti could exit. So, the Club World Cup could be his last act as the Real boss and his last chance to add even more silverware to his impressive CV. 

The Galactico’s will be participating in the Club World Cup for the sixth time this summer, winning it in all five previous appearances in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

Although Real Madrid will be expecting to get through a group consisting of Al-Hilal, Pachuca and RB Salzburg, with top teams like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Boca Juniors and Flamengo being in the competition, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will find it more difficult than ever.

 

Real Madrid Club World Cup Group fixtures

Copa Libertadores - Botafogo 

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For the first time in their history Botafogo will be taking part in the Club World Cup. The Brazilian side has earned their spot after winning the Copa Liberetadors in 2024.

As it is their first time, the fans will be excited to see how their team will fare against the best in the world - expect a lot of excitement, noise and colour from their supporters in Amercia.

The Brazilian side had quite a year in 2024, achieving remarkable success. The side not only won the Copa Liberetadors, beating Atlético Mineiro 3-1 at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, but also became Brazilian champions for the first time in 20 years.

Under Artur Jorge that was their third league title in their history, beating fellow Club World Cup outfit Palmeiras to the title by six points, with Flamengo a further three points back. 

With the Brazilian Serie A campiagn only just starting, it is hard to judge how strong Botafogo will be this term, but they will be fresher than their European counterparts when they begin their campaign in the US.

Botafogo will face Seattle Sounders, Atletico Madrid and current Champions League favourites Paris Saint-Germain in the pool stage.

Botafogo Club World Cup Group fixtures

• Read next | Botafogo club guide

AFC Champions league - Al Ain 

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One of the most prominent names in the UAE and a club with a massive history of trophies and success.

Al Ain are the most successful club in the UAE with 14 UAE Pro League titles to their name. To highlight their strength, they are the first and only side from the United Arab Emirates to win the AFC Champions League, a feat they have now achieved twice.

Al Ain added to their 2003 success after beating Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2024 final 6-3 on aggregate, reversing a 2-1 first leg deficit by winning the second 5-1. 

Not content with that, the club added another trophy to their collection last season as they secured another UAE Pro League title.

2025 will be the club's second appearance in the Club World Cup, having previously competed in 2018 and they will surely enter the upcoming edition with plenty of confidence to make some noise.

In 2018 the side went all the way to the final, beating River Plate on the way, but were defeated 4-1 by Real Madrid.

Now being on the global stage and the tournament happening in the summer, the club has a chance to make itself known once again.

Although the team will have a difficult task to breakthrough the group stage, the fans will put their hopes in star forward Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba. The player has already registered 17 goals in 14 games and does not look like stopping.

New Manager Vladimir Ivic will have certainly have his hands full in Group G as the team will be going up against Wydad AC, Juventus FC and England’s Manchester City.

Al Ain Club World Cup Group fixtures

CAF Champions League -  Al Ahly 

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One of the most well known clubs outside of Europe and a threat to every African team is and has always been Al Ahly.

The club has a record 44 Egyptian Premier League titles and 39 Egypt Cups. The side secured their spot by winning another CAF champions title, making it 12 in all, a number no other club has yet achieved.

With Manager Marcel Koller, his side beat Esperance 1-0 in the CAF Champions League final, making it back-to-back successess, and four titles in five seasons.

Al Ahly will be one of the most experienced, if not most experiencd, clubs participating in the Club World Cup, having played more matches than any other outfit in the competition.

With nine appearances so far, the Egyptian side has managed to come third on four different occasions - 2006, 2020, 2021, and 2023. 

Star midfielder Emam Ashour has gained a lot of attention with his performances, whilst scoring 13 goals and assisting five in the current season.

With important players like Afsha and attacker Achraf Bencharki also being in the mix, the team will be ready to go for the trophy once again.

Al Ahly will face Inter Miami, Palmeiras and Porto in Group A.

Al Ahly Club World Cup Group fixtures

• Read next | Al Ahly club guide

CONCACAF Champions Cup - Pachuca

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The Mexican side are coming into the competition in confident mood and will see themselves as dark horses for the competition, after winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2024. 

The team has participated in the Club World Cup on seven ocassions, finishing third twice.

In 2017 in the UAE, Pachuca reached the semi finals, losing to Brazilian side Gremio 1-0 after an extra time Everton strike, but went on to win the third place play-off, beating Al-Jazira 4-1. 

The seven time Liga MX winners are guided by the experienced Guillermo Almada, who has led the team since 2021.

He delivered Champions Cup glory with a 3-0 victory over US side Columbus Crew, which included two goals from former West Brom, Newcastle, Everton and River Plate striker Salomon Rondon.

Meanwhile, top goal scorer John Kennedy will give the fans plenty of hope for what’s ahead with the nine goals he has scored this term.

Pachuca will be facing Real Madrid, Al-Hilal and RB Salzburg in Group H.

Pachuca Club World Cup Group fixtures

• Read next | Pachuca club guide

OFC Champions League - Auckland City FC

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Auckland City FC is set to represent Oceania in the US. The Navy Blues will join the Club World Cup as the only amateur side and will look to make an impact just as they did in 2014, when they came third.

With Australia moving into the AFC and New Zealand remaining in the OFC, Auckland City have been able to enjoy dominance in their respective competitions and become an almost ever present at the Club World Cup.

In the 2024 OFC Champions League final, the New Zealand side beat AS Pirare convincingly with a 4-0 scoreline and a dominant performance. Its was their third consecutive victory and 12th OFC title in total.

Although there is a difference in levels, the inclusivity FIFA has shown with this tournament gives them another opportunity to put their mark on the competition. 

With manager Paul Posa returning to the helm for a second spell in charge, the Navy Blues are preparing for a record-extending 12th entry into the tournament.

After finishing third in 2014, this year they find themselves in Group C, facing Benfica, Boca Juniors and European powerhouse Bayern Munich.

Auckland City Club World Cup Group fixtures

• Read next | Auckland City club guide

Watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZN

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