Everything to know about CWC 2025 – Draw, fixture dates, how to watch, tickets

Manchester City and Chelsea are England's sole representatives in the newly-revamped FIFA Club World Cup, which now has a vastly different format.

In a move heavily criticised by players, coaches, and executives alike, the competition has undergone a significant restructure for 2025. It will now feature an expanded field, with 32 teams participating in a summer tournament that closely resembles the World Cup.

The change will add to an already cramped list of fixtures for those participating, but fans will still await the draw with baited breath as the clubs involved find out who they will face next summer. With a different format, time of year, and qualification process, change has encompassed the Club World Cup.

Mirror Football takes an in-depth look at everything you need to know about the new-look competition.

FIFA Club World Cup Draw

The draw for the 2025 Club World Cup will take place tonight on Thursday, December 5. It will be held in Miami and commence at 1pm local time (6pm GMT).

As opposed to the old format, where seven teams from the six FIFA confederations played each other over 11 days, the competition will now feature 32 teams drawn into a World Cup-like group stage phase.

The top two sides from each group progress into the knockout stages, which will eventually result in a highly-anticipated final to cap the tournament off.

Fixture dates

Teams will travel to the United States for the revamped summer competition, with matches beginning on June 15 and lasting up until July 13.

Miami will host the opening fixture, with the final being held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia and Nashville are just a few of the other host cities.

Who will feature

On a European front, no more than two teams from one country can qualify for the competition, with those attending chosen based on UEFA rankings – or if they have recently won the Champions League.

This means that, from England, both 2021 winners Chelsea and 2023 winners Manchester City will be in attendance. They’ll be joined by Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Juventus, Porto Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Red Bull Salzburg and Atletico Madrid from Europe.

Elsewhere, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminese, River Plate, Boca Juniors and Botafogo have qualified from South America, while Al Ahly, Wydad, Esperance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns. Al Hilal, Urawa Red Riamonds, Al Ain and Ulsan HD are Asia's representatives, with Auckland City booking their place from Oceania.

The line-up is completed by five teams from North America; Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Leon, Pachuca and Inter Miami, who take the host nation slot. The latter's participation has not been without controversy, given the David Beckham-owned side with Lionel Messi did not win the MLS.

How does the draw work

Much like Champions League and World Cup draws of old, the 32 teams will be split into four pots of eight. They will then be drawn into eight separate groups, comprised of four teams each. The pots are as follows:

Pot 1: Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, Fluminese.

Pot 2: Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg

Pot 3: Al Hilal, Ulsan HD, Al Ahly, Wydad, Monterrey, Club Leon, Boca Juniors, Botafogo

Pot 4: Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pachuca, Seattle Sounders, Auckland City, Inter Miami

How to watch

DAZN has secured the rights to broadcast next year's Club World Cup after talks with Apple broke down, according to the Athletic.

They claim FIFA and DAZN have struck a $ 1billion agreement, which will see all 63 matches made available on their platform to watch for free. It is also claimed that DAZN will also have the option to sub-licence to local free-to-air broadcasters as part of its deal with FIFA.

Tickets

Ticketing information is also in its early form, with fans wishing to attend any of the matches urged to register their interest via FIFA’s website.

Although the new Club World Cup format adds to an already crowded calendar for players and coaches, it will give fans another chance to see football’s finest clash, whether that be on TV or in person.