The group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is complete, leaving the top 16 teams to battle it out for the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament`s new format. Following a group phase that saw 32 teams competing in eight groups, a knockout bracket is now set, culminating in the final scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium. With the Round of 16 matches starting this weekend, let`s rank these eight upcoming encounters by anticipation.
8. Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey
Borussia Dortmund advanced to the knockout stage by topping their group, securing two wins and one draw against opponents like Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Ulsan HD. The German side, currently managed by Niko Kovac, will face Mexican club Monterrey. Monterrey proved to be one of the surprises of the initial phase, progressing from a group that included Inter Milan, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds. Monterrey notably drew against both Inter (thanks to a goal from former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos) and River Plate before winning their decisive match against the Japanese team.
7. Benfica vs. Chelsea
This pairing features two European clubs. Benfica secured first place in Group C with two wins and a draw, including a crucial victory over Bayern Munich in their final group game. Chelsea, who qualified as UEFA Conference League winners, finished second in their group behind Flamengo. The two teams have history, having met in the 2012-13 UEFA Europa League final, where a late goal from Branislav Ivanovic secured a 2-1 victory for Rafa Benitez`s Chelsea side.
6. Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich
Brazilian side Flamengo, after finishing first in Group D, is set to face German champions Bayern Munich. Bayern ended up as runners-up in Group C after a 1-0 defeat to Benfica. Flamengo`s performance has been one of the highlights of the tournament thus far, mirroring the strong showing from Brazilian teams overall, as all four Brazilian clubs qualified for the Round of 16. Interestingly, two of them will face each other (Botafogo vs. Palmeiras), while the other two take on European opponents.
5. Inter vs. Fluminense
An intriguing matchup between European and Brazilian football, Inter will face Fluminense on Monday. The Italian giants secured their place in the knockout stages with a 2-0 victory over River Plate on the final matchday, thanks to goals from youngster Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni. Now managed by Cristian Chivu, Inter faces Fluminense in the Round of 16. There`s also the potential for Inter to meet their former coach, Simone Inzaghi, in a later round if Al-Hilal manages to defeat Manchester City.
4. Palmeiras vs. Botafogo
This all-Brazilian derby is undoubtedly one of the most captivating ties of the Round of 16 and will kick off the knockout phase on Saturday. Palmeiras claimed the top spot in Group A with five points, earning a win against Al-Ahly and draws against Inter Miami (who finished second in the group) and FC Porto. Botafogo progressed from a challenging group alongside PSG and Atletico Madrid. All three teams finished on six points, but Botafogo secured their spot in the Round of 16 based on a superior goal difference, eliminating the Spanish side.
3. Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal
Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City is matched against Al-Hilal, coached by Simone Inzaghi, who secured qualification for the Round of 16 with a win in their final group match. The English club was the only team in the entire tournament to achieve a perfect record in the group stage, winning all three games and scoring 13 goals while conceding just two (in their 5-2 win against Juventus, a match where both teams were already qualified). Al-Hilal drew their first two games against Real Madrid (1-1) and RB Salzburg (0-0) before winning their crucial last match against Pachuca. The winner of this tie will face either Inter or Fluminense, opening up the possibility of Inzaghi facing his former club.
2. PSG vs. Inter Miami
The French giants, winners of the 2025 UEFA Champions League, will meet Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, who played for PSG from 2021 to 2023 before moving to the United States. This promises a fascinating and nostalgic encounter, as Messi and other former Barcelona players in the Inter Miami squad will face their former coach, Luis Enrique, who now manages PSG. The victorious team in this tie will advance to face either Flamengo or Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
1. Real Madrid vs. Juventus
This is arguably the most anticipated matchup of the Round of 16, bringing together two European clubs with rich histories. Both teams are in a period of transition this summer with new managers, Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid and Igor Tudor at Juventus, and have shown some inconsistent form during the tournament so far. The Spanish side finished first in Group H with one draw (1-1 against Al-Hilal) and two wins against Pachuca and RB Salzburg. Juventus won against Al-Ain and Wydad but suffered a significant 5-2 defeat to Manchester City. This match will serve as an important test for both squads as they prepare for the 2025-26 season, highlighting the work still ahead.
Dominic Ashworth