Whether you’re celebrating the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, curious about how the tournament will unfold, or dreading more football after a long season, the Club World Cup has arrived. While FIFA and the tournament host nation, the United States (one of the three countries hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup), face questions around ticket sales, political tensions around immigration policy, and even the value of this tournament compared to the number of games footballers are expected to play, fans in the United States are clearly relishing the opportunity to see at least some of these teams play stateside.
The tournament presents a tremendous financial opportunity and an opportunity for visibility and recognition for club football that is played outside of Europe.
The centerpiece match of the first two days is European and French champions PSG taking on an always feisty Atlético Madrid, Lusophone fans are hyped for the clash of Portugal vs Brazil that is FC Porto vs Palmeiras. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have their best chance at a tournament victory when they take on Egyptian giants Al Ahly at home in Miami. Here is your preview and predictions for all the Saturday and Sunday action.
Al Ahly vs Inter Miami
(Saturday in Miami)
A debate around slow ticket sales has clouded the opening match of the tournament, as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami host the most decorated team in Africa, Egypt’s Al Ahly on Saturday night. Al Ahly are the king of cups in their region, they have won more CAF Champions Leagues (12) than any other team, and they come off their third consecutive Egyptian League title. Their leaders are Mahmoud Trezeguet, the 30 year old former Aston Villa striker who returned home, Mohamed El Shenawy in goal, and the Danish born Palestinian midfielder Wessam Abou Ali. Al Ahly may lack in terms of global visibility, but they don’t lack in terms of international experience, as they have been a key contributor for the Egyptian National Team for years.
Inter Miami are expected to win at home to avoid a potential catastrophic tournament performance, under Javier Mascherano, the Herons have been inconsistent. They are third in the MLS’s Eastern Conference with a +9 goal differential after 16 games, and they were bounced out of the CONCACAF Champions League by fellow MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps. Mascherano’s team has struggled to defend, and if they are missing Jordi Alba in the back, that just makes the task so much harder. Messi magic, with the ageless Luis Suarez, and a South American heavy supporting cast including young talents like Telasco Segovia from Venezuela can produce goals, but can they avoid getting overrun defensively. Against Al Ahly, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, but the remaining two games look much more difficult. Prediction: Inter Miami 3 Al Ahly 2
Bayern Munich vs Auckland City
(Sunday in Cincinnati)
If any match needs a mercy rule, it might be this one, Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich want to win the expanded Club World Cup and add to their legacy as a club, Auckland City are always happy to be in the Club World Cup, but they make the tournament due to being the best team in OFC, while being the third best team in their own country, the small but growing football nation of New Zealand. Thomas Muller, who is leaving Bayern at the conclusion of this tournament, will be eager to shine in this one, while Vincent Kompany will hope to use the second half to bring in some rotation squad players and give them a run.
For Auckland City, it’s about maintaining their dignity and relishing a moment they will never forget. Prediction: Bayern Munich 6 Auckland City 0
PSG vs Atletico Madrid
(Sunday in Los Angeles)
if European fans are going to lock into the Club World Cup during the first two days, this would be the match. PSG don’t want to lose the crown they earned by winning the UEFA Champions League this season, and Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone never back down from battling with the world’s best. Atletico Madrid will be full of belief, as they defeated PSG earlier this season in the Champions League. The Spanish side struggled to end the season after exiting the Champions League against cross city rivals Real Madrid, but they still put together a respectable La Liga campaign, and Antoine Griezmann will relish an opportunity to play in the United States.
Both teams saw players participate in international games recently, Ousmane Dembele, PSG’s best attacking player, may not be fit for this match, while Atletico’s Julian Alvarez shouldered the burden for Argentina. There have not been significant squad changes for either side this tournament, so these teams will know each other well, it’s just going to be a war of wills. PSG have looked unbeatable lately, and that should continue. Prediction: PSG 2 Atletico Madrid 1
Palmeiras vs FC Porto
(Sunday in New York)
Palmeiras sit 4th but are effectively in a tie at the top of Brazil’s domestic league standings, as the season is on a break for this tournament. FC Porto slumped to a third place finish in Portugal’s league, and this match in New York City is a grudge match that will help settle an argument about whether Brazil or Portugal has a stronger domestic league.
Palmeiras have been a factory of superstars lately, they have performed the best of any Brazilian club in recent years, while Porto are one of Portugal’s big three decorated clubs, but have been decidedly behind the other two giants in the country in recent seasons. Abel Ferreira is from Portugal and managing Palmeiras, Rodrigo Mora is the wonderkid that has carried Porto on his shoulders this season. Mora, and Spanish striker Samu are the danger men that Palmeiras must mark, but they have Estavao who is headed to Chelsea, and experienced Colombian international Richard Rios on their squad.
Palmeiras are a good tournament team, as evidenced by their Copa Libertadores performances, FC Porto struggles to organize defensively and have played unimpressive football for long stretches of the recent domestic season. Palmeiras has the upper hand and I don’t see them squandering it. Mora should get a goal though, and soon, a massive transfer. Prediction: Palmeiras 3 Porto 1
Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders
(Sunday in Seattle)
Botafogo are an unpredictable side, they are midtable (8th) in the Brazilian league, and went 4-2 in the Libertadores group stage to reach the knockout phase. Seattle Sounders at 7-5-6 are just 6th in the MLS’s western conference, but playing in a familiar environment in front of home fans should count for something.
A win in the most recent edition of the Copa Libertadores gave Botafogo fans a lifelong memory. Former Manchester United player Alex Telles is a familiar name, while Artur came in from Zenit St Petersburg and has been a star. The Brazilian side made an effort to bring in more players for this tournament, Arthur Cabral and Joaquin Correa, the latter from Inter Milan, came in to add some goalscoring. Jefferson Savarino, a Venezuelan international, is also here, and Igor Jesus who is headed to Nottingham Forest.
For Seattle Sounders, their stars are Mexican international Obed Vargas and Albert Rusnak from Slovakia. This is not one of the richest MLS squads, and frankly this game could expose the gap between two of the stronger leagues in the Americas, as Botafogo has tough games every week in Brazil and will be battled tested because of it. Prediction: Botafogo 4 Seattle Sounders 1
Main Photo: by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
