FIFA Club World Cup: Five talking points as group stages come to an end
The group stages of the FIFA Club World Cup are over. After 48 matches featuring 32 teams, half have been eliminated as the opening round reached its conclusion on Thursday night.
Friday was the first day without any action at all as the tournament took a break between the group phase and the knockout stages, which kick off on Saturday with two fixtures.
Here, a look at some of the major talking points from the group phase and ahead of the last 16 matches as the inaugural competition moves into its third week…
Brazilian teams impress
While both Boca Juniors and River Plate are heading home after the group phase, all four Brazilian teams have made it through to the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup, and interest in the competition is high in the South American nation.
Palmeiras finished top of Group A and will now face Botafogo in the last 16, after the Rio de Janeiro side beat European champions Paris Saint-Germain in their opening fixture and advanced at the expense of Atlético Madrid in Group B. That means at least one Brazilian side will feature in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Flamengo progressed as Group D winners ahead of Chelsea, having beaten the Blues 3-1 in Philadephia, with their Rio rivals Fluminense having finished as runners-up to Borussia Dortmund in Group F with one win and two draws.
The old Intercontinental Cup was always treated with huge respect by Brazilian clubs and seen as an opportunity for those teams to prove they were a match for Europe’s elite. This tournament is no different.
There are other factors. The high temperatures in the United States have suited Brazilian teams more than their European counterparts. “We’re used to it," Botafogo right-back Vitinho said. “I hope that it works in our favour.” The tournament also comes in the middle of the season for Brazil’s sides, while the European teams are somewhat in limbo at the end of a long campaign and ahead of pre-season. In addition, there is now more money in Brazilian football, with top players heading home to finish their careers in their homeland and an influx of foreign coaches in recent years.
Nine of 12 European sides through
It has often been said that this tournament matters more to clubs from outside Europe and that is probably true due to its timing and also the opportunity for those teams to prove themselves on the world stage.
But of the 12 European clubs in the competition, nine have made it through to the knockout rounds, with only Atlético Madrid, Porto and Red Bull Salzburg heading home after the group phase.
All of those teams finished third in their groups, with Atleti unfortunate not to progress as they were the worst off in a three-way tie on six points with Paris-Saint Germain and Botafogo in Group B. And despite the impressive performances of the Brazilian teams in particular, it would still be a suprise if this tournament was not won by a European club.
Manchester City are back… and so is Rodri
Manchester City endured a season to forget in 2024-25, finishing some way off the pace in the Premier League and missing out on silverware altogether following a surprise loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
But the Sky Blues have shone in this tournament so far, winning all three of their group games with 13 goals scored and only two conceded.
City thrashed Juventus 5-2 to seal top spot in Group G as Rodri made his first start in eight months after serious injury and the Sky Blues will now face Saudi side Al-Hilal in the last 16, with Inter or Flamengo lying in wait in the quarter-finals. Pep Guardiola’s side are now favourites to win the competition and will be hard to beat.
Real Madrid taking shape under Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid are another club with a point to prove after a disappointing season in 2024-25 and Los Blancos look like contenders to win this tournament. They will meet Juventus in the last 16.
Madrid topped Group H with seven points and saved their best display until last after a disappointing draw against Al-Hilal and a 3-1 over Pachuca which came with 10 men following an early red card for defender Raúl Asencio.
Los Blancos were impressive in a 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in their final Group H game, with Vinícius Júnior, Fede Valverde and Gonzalo García on target in a win which saw Xabi Alonso use a three-man back line for the first time with his new side and the team showed signs of what is to come in a fine performance. The first goal, scored by Vinícius from a Jude Bellingham pass after a flowing team move, in particular.
Legends of the game still going strong
Lionel Messi turned 38 earlier this week and the Argentine great will feature for Inter Miami in the last 16 against Paris Saint-Germain. Messi’s old friend and former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suárez, also 38, scored Miami’s second goal in their 2-2 draw against Palmeiras. Sunday’s game in Atlanta could be the final appearance in a major international club competition for both men.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Luka Modrić is leaving Real Madrid after this tournament and the Croatian midfielder will look to go out on a high by winning a 27th trophy with Los Blancos. He will join AC Milan this summer.
Thomas Müller will exit Bayern Munich this summer after a career spent entirely with the Bavarian club. The 35-year-old scored twice against Auckland City in Bayern’s opening game, and will feature against Flamengo in the last 16.
Ángel Di María is nearing the end of his second spell with Benfica and will rejoin first club Rosario Central this summer. The Argentine winger, now 37, will line up against Chelsea in the last 16. And his former Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos, who is 39, will be in action for Monterrey against Borussia Dortmund after helping the Mexican side to second spot in Group E.
Round of 16 fixtures
Palmeiras vs Botafogo
Benfica vs Chelsea
Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Miami
Flamengo vs Bayern Munich
Inter vs Fluminense
Manchester City vs Al-Hilal
Real Madrid vs Juventus
Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey