European Challengers In FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Manchester City, PSG, Real Madrid, And Other Top Teams To Compete For Exclusive Title
The Club World Cup began on a rampant note for the European Contingent as Bayern Munich set a new record in the 10-0 win over Auckland for the most goals scored in a single Club World Cup match, across all formats. Atletico Madrid received a 4-0 thumping at the hands of reigning Champions League winner, PSG, with signs that the European teams will take this competition seriously.
The European contingent to this year’s Club World Cup has increased to 12, as with other confederations bar Oceania, as FIFA hopes to continue to improve the glamour of what has become a quadrennial event. Three of the twelve contingent qualified as a result of success in the UEFA Champions League in the period between 2021-2024, while the remaining 9 qualified courtesy of the European ranking route.
European Teams in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
There is massive participation and qualification from the European continent in the FIFA CWC 2025. The total sides qualified for the tournament is 12, comprising all five mega leagues in Europe. Historically, the European clubs have always dominated the soccer world and will be ready again to do the same at the Club World Cup. Check out European Teams in the Club World Cup below.
Manchester City
Manchester City qualified for the Club World Cup courtesy of its Champions League triumph in the 2022-23 season. This will be Manchester City’s second Club World Cup after winning it in 2023 as part of its 5 trophy sweep. The citizens will hope to end a trophyless campaign with victory here and will start by dispatching of fellow European Giants Juventus, Wydad from Morocco and Al Ain from the UAE
Chelsea
UEFA rule states that not more than 2 teams can qualify for a federation, so despite Liverpool having a better ranking status than Chelsea, the London club qualified because of its most recent success in the 2020-21 Champions League season. This will be Chelsea’s third appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, having won it in 2012, beating Yokohama 3-1 in the final. With star players like Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and new signing Liam Delap, the Blues will be pushing past Los Angeles FC, Esperance of Tunisia and Flamengo of Brazil.
Borussia Dortmund
The European side qualified as one of two German sides via the ranking route which placed Dortmund 8th with 97 points, this will be Dortmund first appearance at the Club World Cup and they will look to impress with players like Julian Brandt and Jobe Bellingham in a group with Brazilian Giant Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and ULSAN of Korea.
Bayern Múnich
Ranked 2nd on the UEFA coefficient, Bayern Munich are the highest-ranked German team at the Club World Cup showing its superiority in the 10-0 thrashing of New Zealand Proposition Ackland Fc, they have won the competition twice and will hope to make it number 3 as Boca Juniors and fellow European Benfica awaits in the group stage matches.
Inter de Milán
The Italian giants who recently lost the 2024-25 Champions League final to PSG qualified via the Ranking route as one of 2 teams from Italy, the Nerrazzuri’s will be making its second appearance at the Club World Cup having won it in the 2010-11 season beating Congolese team TP Mazembe in the final 3-0. River Plate from Argentina, Monterrey of Mexico and the Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds will contend with Inter in Group E.
Juventus
Another Powerhouse in European football who qualified via the Superior Ranking system and placed in Group G alongside Manchester City, Wydad of Morocco and Al Ain of the UAE, Juventus have their work cut out as they gradually rise up the ladder of European football under Igor Tudor after somewhat losing their way post-Ronaldo exit. This will be Juve’s first appearance at the tournament.
Real Madrid
Record Holder of the Club World Cup, Real Madrid have won the Competition a record 5 times and remains the team to beat, they are expected to easily dispatch of fellow Europeans, Salzburg from Austria while Mexican side Pachuca and Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia are expected to put up a test that a hungry Madrid side will handle.
Real Madrid will have new players like Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and manager Xabi Alonso to help the team in its quest to avoid a trophyless 2024-25 season.
Atletico Madrid
The second Spanish representative at the Club World Cup fared better than Barcelona in the Champions League throughout the last 4 seasons, hence their first appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup. They are in the same group as fellow European side PSG and will look to advance to the next round.
PSG
The current Champions of the UEFA Champions League qualified for its first Club World Cup courtesy of its coefficient ranking and not the Champions League success a few weeks ago. PSG are the only French side represented in this tournament, making its debut has not left the Parisian side unfazed by the occasion as this young PSG side continues to go from strength to strength courtesy of the the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid, Group B looks easy as they face Seattle Sounders and Botafogo in their quest to pick all available trophies this season.
Benfica
The Portuguese side qualified are 2 of Portugal’s representatives at the tournament, and this will be their maiden appearance in its 120 years of existence. In the same group as Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Auckland FC. Benfica can count on players like 37-year-old Nicolas Otamendi and Real Madrid-bound Alvaro Carreras to lead their chase for a respectable finish at the Tourney.
Porto
Porto qualified via the Ranking system after a distinguished outing at the Champions League in the last 4 seasons. They have never appeared at the Club World Cup but won the Intercontinental Cup in 1987.
With star striker Samu Omorodion, they will fancy their chances against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Palmeiras of Brazil and Egyptian side Al Ahly.
Salzburg FC
The Austrian appears the least fancied of all European participants at the Club World Cup but will nevertheless stand confident in a group comprising Real Madrid, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Pachuca of Mexico. It’s first-ever appearance at the Club World Cup, and they will be raring to go with 33-year-old, Attacker Karim Onisiwo leading the line.
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