The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has delivered on its promise of global spectacle, tactical brilliance, and emotional rollercoasters. Hosted across 11 U.S. cities, this expanded 32-team tournament has brought together champions from every continent in a month-long battle for world supremacy. As we enter the semi-final stage, here’s a comprehensive look at how the tournament has unfolded—from the group stage chaos to the final four contenders.

🌍 Group Stage: Surprises, Statements & Stumbles

The group stage, held from June 14 to June 26, featured eight groups of four teams. The top two from each group advanced to the Round of 16. While European giants largely progressed, several traditional powerhouses stumbled.

🔥 Group Highlights

• Group A: Palmeiras and Inter Miami advanced, while FC Porto and Al Ahly were eliminated. Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, impressed with a 2–1 win over Porto and a 2–2 draw with Palmeiras.
• Group B: PSG, Botafogo, and Atlético Madrid all finished with 6 points, but PSG and Botafogo advanced on goal difference. Seattle Sounders exited without a point.
• Group C: Benfica topped the group with 7 points, followed by Bayern Munich. Boca Juniors and Auckland City were eliminated.
• Group D: Flamengo and Chelsea progressed, with Chelsea bouncing back from a 3–1 loss to Flamengo.
• Group E: Inter Milan and Monterrey advanced, while River Plate and Urawa Reds fell short.
• Group F: Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense edged out Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD.
• Group G: Manchester City dominated with 9 points, Juventus followed with 6. Al Ain and Wydad AC exited.
• Group H: Real Madrid and Al Hilal advanced, with RB Salzburg and Pachuca eliminated.

Notably, Atlético Madrid, FC Porto, and LAFC were among the big names to crash out early.

⚔️ Round of 16: Knockout Intensity Begins

The Round of 16 kicked off on June 28 and featured several thrilling encounters:

• Palmeiras 1–0 Botafogo (AET): A tense all-Brazilian clash settled in extra time.
• Chelsea 4–1 Benfica (AET): Chelsea exploded in extra time after a 1–1 draw in regulation.
• PSG 4–0 Inter Miami: A dominant display by the Parisians.
• Bayern Munich 4–2 Flamengo: Bayern’s firepower proved too much.
• Fluminense 2–0 Inter Milan: The Brazilian side stunned the Nerazzurri.
• Al Hilal 4–3 Manchester City (AET): One of the tournament’s biggest shocks.
• Real Madrid 1–0 Juventus: Gonzalo Garcia’s goal sealed it.
• Dortmund 2–1 Monterrey: The German side held off a late surge.

🔥 Quarter-Finals: Elite Clubs Collide

The quarter-finals, played July 4–5, featured four blockbuster matchups:

• Fluminense 2–1 Al Hilal: The Brazilians continued their dream run.
• Chelsea 2–1 Palmeiras: Cole Palmer and Estevão Willian starred in a comeback win.
• PSG 2–0 Bayern Munich: Despite going down to nine men, PSG stunned Bayern with goals from Mbappé and Dembele.
• Real Madrid 3–2 Borussia Dortmund: A thriller at MetLife Stadium saw goals from Gonzalo Garcia, Fran Garcia, and Mbappé. Dortmund’s late rally fell short despite goals from Beier and Guirassy.

⚽ Semi-Final Lineup: The Final Four

The semi-finals are set for July 8 and 9, both at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey:

🗓️ July 8: Fluminense vs Chelsea

• Fluminense are the tournament’s surprise package, blending flair and resilience.
• Chelsea, led by Palmer and Madueke, are peaking at the right time.

🗓️ July 9: PSG vs Real Madrid

• A clash of titans. Mbappé faces his former club.
• Real Madrid are chasing a record-extending sixth Club World Cup title.

💰 Prize Money & Stakes

FIFA has allocated $1 billion in total prize money:

• $40M for the winner
• $21M for each semi-finalist
• $2M per group stage win

So far, Fluminense, Chelsea, PSG, and Real Madrid have each secured $60M+ in earnings.

📉 Attendance & Atmosphere

Despite the star power, the group stage saw over 1 million empty seats, with average stadium occupancy below 50% in some venues. However, knockout matches have seen a surge in attendance and global viewership.

🏆 What’s Next?

• Final: July 13 at MetLife Stadium
• No third-place match: Only the final will determine the champion

The 2025 Club World Cup has already delivered unforgettable moments—from Messi’s farewell tour to Mbappé’s magic, from Al Hilal’s upset of City to Chelsea’s resurgence. With four elite clubs left, the stage is set for a historic finish.