The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to become the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 32 of the best soccer clubs from around the globe. Among them, the spotlight will be on the top European clubs, which have dominated global football for decades.
These UEFA giants will represent the pinnacle of club excellence as they battle for world supremacy in the United States from 15 June to 13 July 2025.
In this article, we take a closer look at the European powerhouses that have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, their road to the Club World Cup, and why they’re considered favourites in this historic edition.
Which European Clubs Have Qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
For the first time, the tournament will feature 32 clubs from the 6 continents of FIFA and 12 stadiums are selected for the 63 matches of the tournament.
- Real Madrid (Spain) – Champions League winners 2021/22
- Bayern Munich (Germany) – Top UEFA ranking 2021–2024
- Manchester City (England) – Champions League winners 2022/23
- Chelsea FC (England) – Champions League winners 2020/21
- Paris Saint-Germain (France) – Top UEFA ranking
- Inter Milan (Italy) – Top UEFA ranking
- Benfica (Portugal) – Top UEFA ranking
- Atlético Madrid (Spain) – Top UEFA ranking
- Juventus (Italy) – Top UEFA ranking
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – Top UEFA ranking
- RB Leipzig (Germany) – Top UEFA ranking
Top European Clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Real Madrid
Real Madrid CF, the Spanish giants, come into the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as one of the strongest and most successful clubs in the competition’s history. Having won the UEFA Champions League 2021–22, Club World Cup 5 times they automatically qualified as one of UEFA’s four direct entrants.
Real Madrid holds the top position of 2025 Men’s Club Ranking.
- Club World Cup Titles: 5 (2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Most Successful Club in Club World Cup History
- Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
- Key Players: Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Jr, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Mbappe
Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich, one of the most dominant clubs in European football, qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 via UEFA’s club ranking system. Although they did not win the UEFA Champions League in the 2021–2024 cycle, their consistent performances and deep tournament runs secured them a spot among UEFA’s top 12.
- Club World Cup Titles: 2 (2013, 2020)
- Bundesliga Champions (multiple times during the 2021–2024 cycle)
- Manager: Vincent Kompany (2025 season)
- Key Players: Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sané, Alphonso Davies
Inter Milan
Inter Milan (Internazionale) has earned their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 through UEFA’s ranking system, thanks to their consistent performances in the Champions League from 2021 to 2024, including a memorable run to the final in 2022–23.
- Previous Club World Cup Titles: 1 (2010)
- Manager: Simone Inzaghi
- Key Players: Lautaro Martínez, Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Alessandro Bastoni
Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich, the most successful club in German football history, are back on the world stage for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. While they did not win the UEFA Champions League during the 2021–2024 cycle, their consistent high-level performances and deep runs in Europe earned them a spot via the UEFA club coefficient rankings.
- FIFA Club World Cup Titles: 2 (2013, 2020)
- Bundesliga Dominance: Champions for 11 consecutive seasons (2013–2023)
- Manager: Vincent Kompany (appointed for the 2024–25 season)
- Key Players: Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC, one of England’s most successful modern-era clubs, qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 by winning the UEFA Champions League 2020–21. Their triumph in Europe automatically secured them a slot among UEFA’s four direct entrants to the tournament.
- FIFA Club World Cup Titles: 1 (2021)
- UEFA Champions League Titles: 2 (2012, 2021)
- Manager (2025): Enzo Maresca (appointed ahead of the 2024–25 season)
- Key Players: Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku
Why are European clubs the favourites of every Fan?
European clubs have historically dominated the FIFA Club World Cup, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich lifting multiple titles in the previous formats. The depth of squads, tactical quality, and competitive domestic leagues make them prime contenders.
- Real Madrid enters as a 5-time Club World Cup champion.
- Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, brings a treble-winning squad with depth and possession-based dominance.
- Bayern Munich and PSG continue to build squads full of international stars and tactical depth. PSG is the 2025 UEFA Champions League winner, and Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi have already represented the Club.
Where will European clubs play in the 2025 Club World Cup?
The matches will be hosted across multiple major United States stadiums, such as:
- MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
- SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Final Thoughts
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be a showcase of elite talent, and Europe’s top clubs are heading into the tournament with high expectations.
As traditional powerhouses and Champions League regulars, these teams not only bring global fan bases but also the experience and squad depth needed to conquer the world stage.