Club World Cup team guide: Inter to Chelsea to Auckland City, all 32 profiled

The 2025 Membership World Cup will characteristic 32 golf equipment from throughout the globe who will undergo group levels after which knockout rounds. This differs from the earlier format, which noticed one workforce every from six continental confederations and the league champions from the host nation combat it out.

There have been considerations over the match elongating the soccer calendar and controversy over qualification standards. Inter Miami, for instance, are in after profitable the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Defend, however having misplaced within the subsequent MLS play-offs, Lionel Messi’s facet aren’t MLS champions.

A number of high-profile groups, together with Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayer Leverkusen won’t be there, however the likes of Manchester Metropolis, Inter and Actual Madrid will probably be. A full clarification of the qualification standards and tips on how to watch the draw could be discovered right here. The draw takes place in Miami at the moment at 1pm ET (6pm GMT).

Under, The Athletic profiles every of the 32 groups, ranked by their place within the Opta World Energy Rankings (all knowledge on this piece is appropriate as of December 3, 2024). Yow will discover a desk with the 32 golf equipment and their world rankings on the backside of this text.

Inter

Nation: Italy

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 2

Opta Serie A Rating: 1

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Inter’s solely Membership World Cup look got here in 2011. They beat TP Mazembe 3-0 within the last. They acquired there after reaching the treble in 2010 beneath Jose Mourinho, profitable Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. Additionally they achieved one other treble again in 1965, lifting the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup, league title and European Cup.

Key Participant: Lautaro Martinez

Since becoming a member of from Racing Membership in 2018, Martinez has scored 135 occasions in 298 matches, main Inter to seven home trophies and profitable the 2023-24 Serie A golden boot.

Manchester Metropolis

Nation: England

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 3

Opta Premier League Rating: 2

How they certified: 2022-23 Champions League winners

Metropolis gained the 2023 Membership World Cup by defeating Fluminense 4-0 of their match debut. The Premier League’s defending champions have been one of many world’s greatest groups over the previous 15 years. They had been the primary English workforce to win a home and European cup in the identical season again in 1970 after they lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup.

Key Participant: Erling Haaland

Metropolis evidently wrestle with out Rodri, however with him injured, Haaland is their key participant. The Norway worldwide has 107 objectives in 117 appearances for the membership. Even in what has been a tough 2024-25 season, he has 17 strikes in 19 video games.

Actual Madrid

Nation: Spain

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 5

Opta La Liga Rating: 1

How they certified: 2023-24 Champions League winners

Actual Madrid have gained essentially the most Membership World Cup titles (5). Along with being the one workforce to have gained the Champions League thrice in a row two occasions, Madrid are additionally the one Spanish workforce to have performed their very own academy workforce in a cup last, doing so within the 1980 Copa del Rey.

Key Participant: Vinicius Junior

For the reason that begin of the 2021-22 season, Vinicius Jr has recorded 81 objectives and 60 assists in 154 matches, averaging 0.9 aim contributions per recreation.

Nation: Germany

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 8

Opta Bundesliga Rating: 1

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Bayern have gained two Membership World Cups, each of which adopted treble-winning campaigns in 2012-13 and 2019-20 — a feat matched solely by Barcelona. The connection between the 2 groups is intensive. Along with assembly 16 occasions in European competitions, they had been based simply 91 days aside — Barcelona on November 28, 1899, and Bayern on February 27, 1900.

Key Participant: Harry Kane

In November, Kane grew to become the quickest participant to succeed in 50 Bundesliga objectives, taking simply 43 matches. Total, his file at Bayern stands at 64 objectives and 21 assists in 64 matches.

Paris Saint-Germain

Nation: France

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 9

Opta Ligue 1 Rating: 1

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Subsequent summer season will mark PSG’s first look within the Membership World Cup. PSG have performed in three finals on the European stage (1996-97 Cup Winners’ Cup and Tremendous Cup, and 2019-20 Champions League), however have misplaced all of them. Among the many UEFA golf equipment within the 2025 version, PSG are the youngest, having been based in 1970.

Key Participant: Bradley Barcola

Barcola has greater than doubled his Ligue 1 aim tally from final season (4) in simply 13 matches, scoring 10 occasions. No PSG ahead has performed extra minutes than his 1,301 throughout competitions this season.

Nation: England

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 10

Opta Premier League Rating: 4

How they certified: 2020-21 Champions League winners

Chelsea gained the 2021 Membership World Cup after beating Palmeiras 2-1 after additional time. Nonetheless, among the many European groups set to characteristic within the 2025 version, they’re one in every of solely two groups to have misplaced a Membership World Cup last (Actual Madrid being the opposite), after shedding 1-0 to Corinthians in 2012. Chelsea are the one workforce to have gained the Champions League, Europa League, Tremendous Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup twice.

Key Participant: Cole Palmer

Palmer has contributed to 54 objectives in 60 matches throughout all competitions for Chelsea and is presently on a contract till 2033.

Nation: Italy

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 13

Opta Serie A Rating: 3

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Juventus have by no means participated within the Membership World Cup, although they’ve lifted the Champions League twice and Europa League/UEFA Cup thrice. Additionally they loved success within the Cup Winners’ Cup (1983-84) and Intercontinental Cup (twice). Juventus had been the primary membership so as to add a star to their jersey again in 1958 to commemorate their tenth Serie A title. They now boast three stars and are simply 4 away from being eligible so as to add a fourth.

Key Participant: Andrea Cambiaso

Cambiaso has performed all of Juventus’ first 19 video games this season, racking up essentially the most minutes with 1,567 throughout competitions. He has contributed two objectives and two assists.

Atletico Madrid

Nation: Spain

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 14

Opta La Liga Rating: 3

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Atletico Madrid will probably be competing within the Membership World Cup for the primary time, having by no means gained the Champions League. They’re among the many 5 groups to have gained the Europa League/UEFA Cup three or extra occasions, although. Whereas rivals of Actual Madrid, Atletico had been shaped in 1903 as a Madrid department of Athletic Membership by three college students from the Basque area, which is why each groups put on purple and white stripes.

Key Participant: Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann was not at Atletico after they gained their two most up-to-date La Liga titles, however he’s their all-time prime scorer with 188 objectives in 410 matches throughout three spells (2014-19, 2021-23 on mortgage, and 2023-present).

Nation: Germany

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 20

Opta Bundesliga Rating: 3

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

This will probably be Dortmund’s first look on the Membership World Cup, however they gained the Intercontinental Cup in 1997 following their Champions League triumph earlier that yr. Earlier than that, Dortmund had been the primary German workforce to win a European trophy after lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1966.

Key Participant: Karim Adeyemi

Adeyemi has struggled to remain match, however his 5 objectives and 5 assists in eight matches throughout competitions have are available in simply 510 minutes of motion. He’s on monitor to eclipse his greatest season at Dortmund (9 objectives, six assists in 32 matches in 2022-23).

Benfica

Nation: Portugal

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 21

Opta Primeira Liga Rating: 2

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Benfica gained successive European Cups in 1961 and 1962 and this will probably be their first Membership World Cup. Additionally they maintain the excellence of going a complete league season unbeaten and never profitable the title in 1977-78, with 21 wins and 9 attracts from 30 matches. Benfica completed degree on factors with Porto however misplaced the title as Porto scored 81 objectives to their 56.

Key Participant: Kerem Akturkoglu

In his first season at Benfica, Akturkoglu has recorded 9 objectives and 4 assists in simply 14 matches. Two of his 5 league objectives have been match-winners, too.

Porto

Nation: Portugal

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 23

Opta Primeira Liga Rating: 3

How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024

Porto have gained the Champions League and Europa League/UEFA Cup twice, main to 2 Intercontinental Cup wins in 1987 and 2004 earlier than the Membership World Cup was shaped. Domestically, Porto have gained the league 30 occasions and are the one Portuguese workforce to have gained 5 league titles in a row (between 1994 and 1999).

Key Participant: Samu Aghehowa (previously Omorodion)

Aghehowa joined Porto final summer season from Atletico Madrid after lacking out on a transfer to Chelsea and has scored 13 occasions in 14 video games throughout the league and Europa League, averaging a aim each 83 minutes.

Al Hilal

Nation: Saudi Arabia

Confederation: AFC

World Energy Rating: 30

Opta Saudi Professional League Rating: 1

How they certified: 2021 AFC Champions League winners

Al Hilal have competed within the Membership World Cup thrice, even making the ultimate of the 2022 version, the place they misplaced 5-3 to Actual Madrid. They went the 2023-24 league season unbeaten, profitable 31 of their 34 video games with 101 objectives scored, 23 conceded and 96 factors.

Key Participant: Aleksandar Mitrovic

Signed in August 2023, Mitrovic scored 40 objectives in 44 matches final season and has 19 objectives in 21 video games in 2024-25, together with 12 in 12 league outings.

Botafogo

Nation: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

World Energy Rating: 55

Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 1

How they certified: 2024 Copa Libertadores winners

Botafogo will make their Membership World Cup debut subsequent summer season on the again of beating Atletico Mineiro 3-1 within the Copa Libertadores last final month. They maintain the file for the longest unbeaten run within the Brazilian prime flight, going 42 matches with out a loss between 1977 and 1978. They didn’t win the title in both yr, although.

Key Participant: Jefferson Savarino

Savarino recorded 12 objectives and 13 assists in 52 matches in the course of the 2023-24 season, together with three objectives within the knockout rounds of the Copa Libertadores.

Palmeiras

Nation: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

World Energy Rating: 58

Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 2

How they certified: 2021 Copa Libertadores winners

Palmeiras have featured twice within the Membership World Cup, notably taking Chelsea to additional time earlier than shedding 2-1 in late 2021. The Brazilian membership gained one of many first membership tournaments involving groups from totally different continents. The Copa Rio, in 1951, included Austria Vienna, Sporting CP, Juventus and Purple Star (Crvena Zvezda). In a two-game last, Palmeiras beat Juventus in a single and drew the opposite to win the title.

Key Participant: Estevao Willian

The 17-year-old, who is about to affix Chelsea subsequent summer season, racked up 18 objectives and 12 assists in the course of the 2023-24 season, averaging a aim contribution each 98.6 minutes.

Flamengo

Nation: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

World Energy Rating: 67

Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 3

How they certified: 2022 Copa Libertadores winners

Some of the profitable South American golf equipment, Flamengo have made two earlier Membership World Cup appearances, shedding the 2019 last to Liverpool (1-0 after additional time) and ending third by beating Al Ahly 4-2 in 2023. Flamengo’s full title is Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which means “Flamengo Rowing Membership,” with the membership initially being shaped in 1895 as a rowing membership and never enjoying their first soccer match till 1912.

Key Participant: Pedro

Pedro scored 30 occasions in 43 matches for Flamengo in the course of the 2024 season, guiding them to the Copa do Brasil. He gained the golden boot on the 2023 Membership World Cup with 4 objectives.

River Plate

Nation: Argentina

Confederation: CONMEBOL

World Energy Rating: 99

Opta Liga Profesional Rating: 2

How they certified: CONMEBOL rating between 2021 and 2024

River Plate have competed twice on the Membership World Cup. They made the 2015 last, shedding 3-0 to Barcelona, earlier than ending third within the 2018 version by beating Kashima Antlers 4-0. They’re among the many most profitable South American golf equipment with 56 trophies, together with 37 league titles.

Key Participant: Pablo Solari

Solari, 23, will probably be one to observe subsequent summer season after recording eight objectives and 5 assists in simply 27 begins for his membership in 2024.

Al Ahly

Nation: Egypt

Confederation: CAF

World Energy Rating: 104

Opta Egyptian Premier League Rating: 1

How they certified: 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24 CAF Champions League winners

Al Ahly have loved cheap success within the Membership World Cup, making it to 6 third-place playoffs (4 wins) in 9 appearances. They ended final December’s version in third by beating Urawa Reds 4-2. Within the final 18 accomplished top-flight seasons, Al Ahly have gained 15 league titles, with the opposite three going to their rivals, Zamalek.

Key Participant: Wessam Abou Ali

Striker Abou Ali recorded 20 objectives and 6 assists final season and has began this marketing campaign with 4 objectives in seven appearances.

Inter Miami

Nation: USA

Confederation: CONCACAF

World Energy Rating: 114

Opta Main League Soccer Rating: 3

How they certified: 2024 MLS Supporters’ Defend winners

On the again of their first league protect, Inter Miami will compete of their first Membership World Cup subsequent summer season. Based solely in 2018, Miami would be the youngest membership on the match. In reality, they’re about the identical age because the youngest of marquee star Lionel Messi’s kids, Ciro, born in 2018.

Key Participant: Lionel Messi

Messi recorded 20 objectives and 10 assists within the 2024 MLS common season regardless of enjoying simply 19 matches, averaging a aim contribution each 49.5 minutes. Miami misplaced solely a kind of video games in comparison with three of the 15 he missed.

Nation: USA

Confederation: CONCACAF

World Energy Rating: 143

Opta Main League Soccer Rating: 5

How they certified: 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winner

This will probably be Seattle’s second look on the Membership World Cup, having misplaced 1-0 to Al Ahly within the 2023 version. The Sounders are the one MLS membership to have ever featured on the Membership World Cup.

Key Participant: Stefan Frei

Seattle captain Frei has saved 30 clear sheets in MLS during the last two seasons — together with the playoffs — greater than another goalkeeper on this interval.

Monterrey

Nation: Mexico

Confederation: CONCACAF

World Energy Rating: 144

Opta Liga MX Rating: 3

How they certified: 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners

Monterrey have featured 5 occasions within the Membership World Cup, ending third twice (2012 and 2019).

Key Participant: Sergio Canales

Former Actual Betis stalwart Canales has been Monterrey’s greatest participant since becoming a member of in July 2023, recording 22 objectives and 7 assists in 57 matches.

Purple Bull Salzburg

Nation: Austria

Confederation: UEFA

World Energy Rating: 151

Opta Austrian Bundesliga Rating: 2

How they certified: UEFA rating from 2021 to 2024

Purple Bull Salzburg have by no means participated within the Membership World Cup. Their greatest end in Europe over the previous decade has been reaching the spherical of 16 of the Champions League in 2021-22. Domestically, Salzburg gained 10 league titles in a row between 2013-14 and 2022-23 however misplaced out to Sturm Graz final season.

Key Participant: Kamil Piatkowski

Salzburg have struggled with accidents this season, however Piatkowski has been ever-present at centre-back and is the one participant to have featured in all 25 of their matches throughout competitions.

Boca Juniors

Nation: Argentina

Confederation: CONMEBOL

World Energy Rating: 155

Opta Liga Profesional Rating: 5

How they certified: CONMEBOL rating between 2021 and 2024

Boca have performed in a single Membership World Cup beforehand, making the 2008 last, which they misplaced 4-2 to AC Milan.

They’ve gained the Copa Libertadores on six events and stay the one workforce to have gained the match with out a single loss, having carried out so in 1978.

Key Participant: Edinson Cavani

Former PSG and Manchester United striker Cavani scored 20 occasions in 38 matches final season, his first at Boca, aged 37.

Fluminense

Nation: Brazil

Confederation: CONMEBOL

World Energy Rating: 166

Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 8

How they certified: 2023 Copa Libertadores winners

Fluminense’s solely Membership World Cup look got here final December as they misplaced 4-0 to Manchester Metropolis within the last. The membership’s first president was an Englishman, Oscar Cox, who performed an element in founding the membership in July 1902. Cox remained within the position till December 1904.

Key Participant: Ganso

The previous Sevilla midfielder was Fluminense’s chief playmaker in 2024, recording 10 assists and 4 objectives in 51 matches.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Nation: South Africa

Confederation: CAF

World Energy Rating: 218

Opta South African Premiership Rating: 1

How they certified: CAF rating between 2021 and 2024

The Sundowns have featured as soon as within the Membership World Cup, shedding the 2016 fifth-place playoff 4-1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai. The workforce additionally holds the file for essentially the most South African league titles with 17, 4 forward of the Kaizer Chiefs in second.

Key Participant: Lucas Ribeiro

Ribeiro, 26, has managed seven objectives and 5 assists in beneath 1,200 minutes of motion this season, contributing to extra objectives than another Sundowns participant.

Esperance de Tunis

Nation: Tunisia

Confederation: CAF

World Energy Rating: 325

Opta Tunisian Ligue Rating: 1

How they certified: CAF rating between 2021 and 2024

Esperance have featured in three Membership World Cups, enjoying within the fifth-place playoff on all three events and profitable twice. They’ve the third-most CAF Champions League trophies with 4, behind Al Ahly (12), TP Mazembe and Zamalek (5 every).

Key Participant: Youcef Belaili

The Algerian winger has had a incredible begin to the 2024-25 season, with seven objectives and eight assists in 11 matches after becoming a member of from MC Alger.

Ulsan HD

Nation: South Korea

Confederation: AFC

World Energy Rating: 360

Opta Okay League 1 Rating: 2

How they certified: AFC rating between 2021 and 2024

Ulsan have competed in two Membership World Cups, shedding the fifth-place match on each events. Since their most up-to-date look within the competitors, they’ve gained every of the final three Okay League 1 titles with not less than a five-point buffer over the workforce in second place.

Key Participant: Ataru Esaka

Esaka featured in 43 matches for Ulsan final season, scoring seven occasions and aiding 5 extra from midfield.

Pachuca

Nation: Mexico

Confederation: CONCACAF

World Energy Rating: 376

Opta Liga MX Rating: 9

How they certified: 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners

Pachuca will make their fifth Membership World Cup look subsequent summer season and first since 2017 after they completed third — their greatest exhibiting within the competitors — by beating Al Jazira 4-1. The membership had been initially often known as Pachuca Athletic Membership.

Key Participant: Salomon Rondon

The previous Newcastle United and Everton striker joined Pachuca in January and has scored 25 occasions in 44 matches.

Urawa Purple Diamonds

Nation: Japan

Confederation: AFC

World Energy Rating: 392

Opta J1 League Rating: 9

How they certified: 2022 AFC Champions League winners

The Purple Diamonds have featured in three Membership World Cups, together with the 2023 version after they misplaced to Al Ahly 4-2 within the third-place playoff. They did end third in 2007, although, by defeating ES Sahel on penalties. They’ve gained the J1 League simply as soon as in 2006 however have lifted the AFC Champions League title on three events (2007, 2017 and 2022).

Key Participant: Ryoma Watanabe

The 28-year-old winger was the one Urawa participant to begin all 37 league video games in 2024. Watanabe contributed six objectives and 5 assists as nicely.

Leon

Nation: Mexico

Confederation: CONCACAF

World Energy Rating: 405

Opta Liga MX Rating: 11

How they certified: 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners

Leon featured on the 2023 Membership World Cup, shedding to Urawa Purple Diamonds within the second spherical. One of many oldest golf equipment in Mexico, Leon had been the primary to be conferred the “campeonismo” title awarded to groups that win the league and cup in the identical season, doing so in 1949.

Key Participant: Stiven Mendoza

Mendoza has supplied objectives from the left wing, scoring 4 occasions in 12 matches since becoming a member of from Adana Demirspor in July.

Wydad Casablanca

Nation: Morocco

Confederation: CAF

World Energy Rating: 565

Opta Botola Professional Rating: 4

How they certified: 2021-22 CAF Champions League winners

Wydad performed within the 2017 and 2022 Membership World Cups, shedding to Urawa Purple Diamonds and Al Hilal within the fifth-place play-off and second spherical respectively. They’ve gained the Moroccan league a file 22 occasions, seven greater than Union Sportive Marocaine in second, and gained three CAF Champions League titles.

Key Participant: Pedrinho

The 20-year-old Brazilian has obtained solely 297 minutes of motion up to now this season however has proven severe potential, scoring as soon as.

Al Ain

Nation: United Arab Emirates

Confederation: AFC

World Energy Rating: 679

Opta UAE Professional League Rating: 5

How they certified: 2023-24 AFC Champions League winners

Al Ain will probably be enjoying their second Membership World Cup subsequent summer season, having made the 2018 last, which they misplaced 4-1 to Actual Madrid. They continue to be the one workforce from the UAE to win the AFC Champions League, having lifted the title in 2003 and misplaced in two finals (2005 and 2016) earlier than their success in 2024.

Key Participant: Soufiane Rahimi

Rahimi, who has 10 objectives in 25 caps for Morocco, was essential to Al Ain’s newest AFC Champions League success. The 27-year-old scored 13 objectives and assisted six extra in 13 matches in that match.

Auckland Metropolis

Nation: New Zealand

Confederation: OFC

World Energy Rating: 4083

Opta New Zealand Nationwide League Rating: 1

How they certified: Finest-ranked OFC Champions League winner between 2021 and 2024

Auckland Metropolis are the lowest-ranked workforce at subsequent yr’s Membership World Cup, greater than 3,000 spots decrease than the next-lowest membership. They’ve, nevertheless, made extra appearances on the match than another workforce with 11, with their greatest end coming in 2014 after they beat Cruz Azul on penalties to complete third.

Key Participant: Stipe Ukich

What number of of Auckland Metropolis’s gamers will return for subsequent season stays to be seen, however Ukich, who turns 18 subsequent month, impressed, scoring 10 occasions in 38 matches in all competitions final season.

(Prime photographs: Getty Photographs)