The 2025 Membership World Cup will function 32 golf equipment from throughout the globe who will undergo group levels after which knockout rounds. This differs from the earlier format, which noticed one staff every from six continental confederations and the league champions from the host nation struggle it out.
There have been issues over the match elongating the soccer calendar and controversy over qualification standards. Inter Miami, for instance, are in after successful the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Protect, however having misplaced within the subsequent MLS play-offs, Lionel Messi’s aspect will not be MLS champions.
A number of high-profile groups, together with Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayer Leverkusen is not going to be there, however the likes of Manchester Metropolis, Inter and Actual Madrid can be. A full clarification of the qualification standards and the way to watch the draw might be discovered right here. The draw takes place in Miami immediately at 1pm ET (6pm GMT).
Beneath, The Athletic profiles every of the 32 groups, ranked by their place within the Opta World Energy Rankings (all information on this piece is right as of December 3, 2024). You’ll find a desk with the 32 golf equipment and their world rankings on the backside of this text.
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Membership World Cup 2025: Who’s competing and the way to watch the draw
Inter
Nation: Italy
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 2
Opta Serie A Rating: 1
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Inter’s solely Membership World Cup look got here in 2011. They beat TP Mazembe 3-0 within the closing. They acquired there after attaining the treble in 2010 underneath Jose Mourinho, successful Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. In addition they achieved one other treble again in 1965, lifting the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup, league title and European Cup.
Key Participant: Lautaro Martinez
Since becoming a member of from Racing Membership in 2018, Martinez has scored 135 instances in 298 matches, main Inter to seven home trophies and successful the 2023-24 Serie A golden boot.
Inter are Serie A champions (Gabriel Bouys/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Manchester Metropolis
Nation: England
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 3
Opta Premier League Rating: 2
How they certified: 2022-23 Champions League winners
Metropolis gained the 2023 Membership World Cup by defeating Fluminense 4-0 of their match debut. The Premier League’s defending champions have been one of many world’s greatest groups over the previous 15 years. They have been the primary English staff to win a home and European cup in the identical season again in 1970 once they lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup.
Key Participant: Erling Haaland
Metropolis evidently wrestle with out Rodri, however with him injured, Haaland is their key participant. The Norway worldwide has 107 targets in 117 appearances for the membership. Even in what has been a tough 2024-25 season, he has 17 strikes in 19 video games.
Actual Madrid
Nation: Spain
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 5
Opta La Liga Rating: 1
How they certified: 2023-24 Champions League winners
Actual Madrid have gained essentially the most Membership World Cup titles (5). Along with being the one staff to have gained the Champions League thrice in a row two instances, Madrid are additionally the one Spanish staff to have performed their very own academy staff in a cup closing, doing so within the 1980 Copa del Rey.
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When Actual Madrid performed their very own reserve staff within the Copa del Rey closing
Key Participant: Vinicius Junior
For the reason that begin of the 2021-22 season, Vinicius Jr has recorded 81 targets and 60 assists in 154 matches, averaging 0.9 purpose contributions per recreation.
Vinicius Junior, left, celebrates with Brahim Diaz (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Photographs)
Nation: Germany
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 8
Opta Bundesliga Rating: 1
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Bayern have gained two Membership World Cups, each of which adopted treble-winning campaigns in 2012-13 and 2019-20 — a feat matched solely by Barcelona. The connection between the 2 groups is in depth. Along with assembly 16 instances in European competitions, they have been based simply 91 days aside — Barcelona on November 28, 1899, and Bayern on February 27, 1900.
Key Participant: Harry Kane
In November, Kane grew to become the quickest participant to achieve 50 Bundesliga targets, taking simply 43 matches. Total, his document at Bayern stands at 64 targets and 21 assists in 64 matches.
Paris Saint-Germain
Nation: France
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 9
Opta Ligue 1 Rating: 1
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Subsequent summer time will mark PSG’s first look within the Membership World Cup. PSG have performed in three finals on the European stage (1996-97 Cup Winners’ Cup and Tremendous Cup, and 2019-20 Champions League), however have misplaced all of them. Among the many UEFA golf equipment within the 2025 version, PSG are the youngest, having been based in 1970.
Key Participant: Bradley Barcola
Barcola has greater than doubled his Ligue 1 purpose tally from final season (4) in simply 13 matches, scoring 10 instances. No PSG ahead has performed extra minutes than his 1,301 throughout competitions this season.
Barcola has impressed for PSG this season (Franck Fife/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Nation: England
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 10
Opta Premier League Rating: 4
How they certified: 2020-21 Champions League winners
Chelsea gained the 2021 Membership World Cup after beating Palmeiras 2-1 after further time. Nevertheless, among the many European groups set to function within the 2025 version, they’re one among solely two groups to have misplaced a Membership World Cup closing (Actual Madrid being the opposite), after dropping 1-0 to Corinthians in 2012. Chelsea are the one staff to have gained the Champions League, Europa League, Tremendous Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup twice.
Key Participant: Cole Palmer
Palmer has contributed to 54 targets in 60 matches throughout all competitions for Chelsea and is presently on a contract till 2033.
Nation: Italy
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 13
Opta Serie A Rating: 3
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Juventus have by no means participated within the Membership World Cup, although they’ve lifted the Champions League twice and Europa League/UEFA Cup thrice. In addition they loved success within the Cup Winners’ Cup (1983-84) and Intercontinental Cup (twice). Juventus have been the primary membership so as to add a star to their jersey again in 1958 to commemorate their tenth Serie A title. They now boast three stars and are simply 4 away from being eligible so as to add a fourth.
Key Participant: Andrea Cambiaso
Cambiaso has performed all of Juventus’ first 19 video games this season, racking up essentially the most minutes with 1,567 throughout competitions. He has contributed two targets and two assists.
Atletico Madrid
Nation: Spain
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 14
Opta La Liga Rating: 3
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Atletico Madrid can be competing within the Membership World Cup for the primary time, having by no means gained the Champions League. They’re among the many 5 groups to have gained the Europa League/UEFA Cup three or extra instances, although. Whereas rivals of Actual Madrid, Atletico have been fashioned in 1903 as a Madrid department of Athletic Membership by three college students from the Basque area, which is why each groups put on crimson and white stripes.
Key Participant: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann was not at Atletico once they gained their two most up-to-date La Liga titles, however he’s their all-time high scorer with 188 targets in 410 matches throughout three spells (2014-19, 2021-23 on mortgage, and 2023-present).
Griezmann is Atletico’s all-time high scorer (Octavio Passos/Getty Photographs)
Nation: Germany
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 20
Opta Bundesliga Rating: 3
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
This can be Dortmund’s first look on the Membership World Cup, however they gained the Intercontinental Cup in 1997 following their Champions League triumph earlier that 12 months. Earlier than that, Dortmund have been the primary German staff to win a European trophy after lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1966.
Key Participant: Karim Adeyemi
Adeyemi has struggled to remain match, however his 5 targets and 5 assists in eight matches throughout competitions have are available in simply 510 minutes of motion. He’s on observe to eclipse his greatest season at Dortmund (9 targets, six assists in 32 matches in 2022-23).
Benfica
Nation: Portugal
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 21
Opta Primeira Liga Rating: 2
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Benfica gained successive European Cups in 1961 and 1962 and this can be their first Membership World Cup. In addition they maintain the excellence of going a whole league season unbeaten and never successful the title in 1977-78, with 21 wins and 9 attracts from 30 matches. Benfica completed stage on factors with Porto however misplaced the title as Porto scored 81 targets to their 56.
Key Participant: Kerem Akturkoglu
In his first season at Benfica, Akturkoglu has recorded 9 targets and 4 assists in simply 14 matches. Two of his 5 league targets have been match-winners, too.
Porto
Nation: Portugal
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 23
Opta Primeira Liga Rating: 3
How they certified: UEFA Rating between 2021 and 2024
Porto have gained the Champions League and Europa League/UEFA Cup twice, main to 2 Intercontinental Cup wins in 1987 and 2004 earlier than the Membership World Cup was fashioned. Domestically, Porto have gained the league 30 instances and are the one Portuguese staff to have gained 5 league titles in a row (between 1994 and 1999).
Key Participant: Samu Aghehowa (previously Omorodion)
Aghehowa joined Porto final summer time from Atletico Madrid after lacking out on a transfer to Chelsea and has scored 13 instances in 14 video games throughout the league and Europa League, averaging a purpose each 83 minutes.
Al Hilal
Nation: Saudi Arabia
Confederation: AFC
World Energy Rating: 30
Opta Saudi Professional League Rating: 1
How they certified: 2021 AFC Champions League winners
Al Hilal have competed within the Membership World Cup thrice, even making the ultimate of the 2022 version, the place they misplaced 5-3 to Actual Madrid. They went the 2023-24 league season unbeaten, successful 31 of their 34 video games with 101 targets scored, 23 conceded and 96 factors.
Key Participant: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Signed in August 2023, Mitrovic scored 40 targets in 44 matches final season and has 19 targets in 21 video games in 2024-25, together with 12 in 12 league outings.
Former Fulham striker Mitrovic is on a great goalscoring streak (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photographs)
Botafogo
Nation: Brazil
Confederation: CONMEBOL
World Energy Rating: 55
Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 1
How they certified: 2024 Copa Libertadores winners
Botafogo will make their Membership World Cup debut subsequent summer time on the again of beating Atletico Mineiro 3-1 within the Copa Libertadores closing final month. They maintain the document for the longest unbeaten run within the Brazilian high flight, going 42 matches with no loss between 1977 and 1978. They didn’t win the title in both 12 months, although.
Key Participant: Jefferson Savarino
Savarino recorded 12 targets and 13 assists in 52 matches throughout the 2023-24 season, together with three targets within the knockout rounds of the Copa Libertadores.
Palmeiras
Nation: Brazil
Confederation: CONMEBOL
World Energy Rating: 58
Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 2
How they certified: 2021 Copa Libertadores winners
Palmeiras have featured twice within the Membership World Cup, notably taking Chelsea to further time earlier than dropping 2-1 in late 2021. The Brazilian membership gained one of many first membership tournaments involving groups from completely different continents. The Copa Rio, in 1951, included Austria Vienna, Sporting CP, Juventus and Crimson Star (Crvena Zvezda). In a two-game closing, Palmeiras beat Juventus in a single and drew the opposite to win the title.
Key Participant: Estevao Willian
The 17-year-old, who is ready to hitch Chelsea subsequent summer time, racked up 18 targets and 12 assists throughout the 2023-24 season, averaging a purpose contribution each 98.6 minutes.
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Estevao Willian is on his method to Chelsea (Heuler Andrey/Getty Photographs)
Flamengo
Nation: Brazil
Confederation: CONMEBOL
World Energy Rating: 67
Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 3
How they certified: 2022 Copa Libertadores winners
One of the profitable South American golf equipment, Flamengo have made two earlier Membership World Cup appearances, dropping the 2019 closing to Liverpool (1-0 after further time) and ending third by beating Al Ahly 4-2 in 2023. Flamengo’s full identify is Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which means “Flamengo Rowing Membership,” with the membership initially being fashioned in 1895 as a rowing membership and never taking part in their first soccer match till 1912.
Key Participant: Pedro
Pedro scored 30 instances in 43 matches for Flamengo throughout the 2024 season, guiding them to the Copa do Brasil. He gained the golden boot on the 2023 Membership World Cup with 4 targets.
River Plate
Nation: Argentina
Confederation: CONMEBOL
World Energy Rating: 99
Opta Liga Profesional Rating: 2
How they certified: CONMEBOL rating between 2021 and 2024
River Plate have competed twice on the Membership World Cup. They made the 2015 closing, dropping 3-0 to Barcelona, earlier than ending third within the 2018 version by beating Kashima Antlers 4-0. They’re among the many most profitable South American golf equipment with 56 trophies, together with 37 league titles.
Key Participant: Pablo Solari
Solari, 23, can be one to observe subsequent summer time after recording eight targets and 5 assists in simply 27 begins for his membership in 2024.
Al Ahly
Nation: Egypt
Confederation: CAF
World Energy Rating: 104
Opta Egyptian Premier League Rating: 1
How they certified: 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24 CAF Champions League winners
Al Ahly have loved affordable success within the Membership World Cup, making it to 6 third-place playoffs (4 wins) in 9 appearances. They ended final December’s version in third by beating Urawa Reds 4-2. Within the final 18 accomplished top-flight seasons, Al Ahly have gained 15 league titles, with the opposite three going to their rivals, Zamalek.
Key Participant: Wessam Abou Ali
Striker Abou Ali recorded 20 targets and 6 assists final season and has began this marketing campaign with 4 targets in seven appearances.
Inter Miami
Nation: USA
Confederation: CONCACAF
World Energy Rating: 114
Opta Main League Soccer Rating: 3
How they certified: 2024 MLS Supporters’ Protect winners
On the again of their first league protect, Inter Miami will compete of their first Membership World Cup subsequent summer time. Based solely in 2018, Miami would be the youngest membership on the match. The truth is, they’re about the identical age because the youngest of marquee star Lionel Messi’s youngsters, Ciro, born in 2018.
Key Participant: Lionel Messi
Messi recorded 20 targets and 10 assists within the 2024 MLS common season regardless of taking part in simply 19 matches, averaging a purpose contribution each 49.5 minutes. Miami misplaced solely a type of video games in comparison with three of the 15 he missed.
(Chris Arjoon/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Nation: USA
Confederation: CONCACAF
World Energy Rating: 143
Opta Main League Soccer Rating: 5
How they certified: 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winner
This can be Seattle’s second look on the Membership World Cup, having misplaced 1-0 to Al Ahly within the 2023 version. The Sounders are the one MLS membership to have ever featured on the Membership World Cup.
Key Participant: Stefan Frei
Seattle captain Frei has saved 30 clear sheets in MLS during the last two seasons — together with the playoffs — greater than some other goalkeeper on this interval.
Monterrey
Nation: Mexico
Confederation: CONCACAF
World Energy Rating: 144
Opta Liga MX Rating: 3
How they certified: 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Monterrey have featured 5 instances within the Membership World Cup, ending third twice (2012 and 2019).
Key Participant: Sergio Canales
Former Actual Betis stalwart Canales has been Monterrey’s greatest participant since becoming a member of in July 2023, recording 22 targets and 7 assists in 57 matches.
(Azael Rodriguez/Getty Photographs)
Crimson Bull Salzburg
Nation: Austria
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 151
Opta Austrian Bundesliga Rating: 2
How they certified: UEFA rating from 2021 to 2024
Crimson Bull Salzburg have by no means participated within the Membership World Cup. Their greatest end in Europe over the previous decade has been reaching the spherical of 16 of the Champions League in 2021-22. Domestically, Salzburg gained 10 league titles in a row between 2013-14 and 2022-23 however misplaced out to Sturm Graz final season.
Key Participant: Kamil Piatkowski
Salzburg have struggled with accidents this season, however Piatkowski has been ever-present at centre-back and is the one participant to have featured in all 25 of their matches throughout competitions.
Boca Juniors
Nation: Argentina
Confederation: CONMEBOL
World Energy Rating: 155
Opta Liga Profesional Rating: 5
How they certified: CONMEBOL rating between 2021 and 2024
Boca have performed in a single Membership World Cup beforehand, making the 2008 closing, which they misplaced 4-2 to AC Milan.
They’ve gained the Copa Libertadores on six events and stay the one staff to have gained the match with no single loss, having finished so in 1978.
Key Participant: Edinson Cavani
Former PSG and Manchester United striker Cavani scored 20 instances in 38 matches final season, his first at Boca, aged 37.
(Daniel Jayo/Getty Photographs)
Fluminense
Nation: Brazil
Confederation: CONMEBOL
World Energy Rating: 166
Opta Brazilian Serie A Rating: 8
How they certified: 2023 Copa Libertadores winners
Fluminense’s solely Membership World Cup look got here final December as they misplaced 4-0 to Manchester Metropolis within the closing. The membership’s first president was an Englishman, Oscar Cox, who performed an element in founding the membership in July 1902. Cox remained within the position till December 1904.
Key Participant: Ganso
The previous Sevilla midfielder was Fluminense’s chief playmaker in 2024, recording 10 assists and 4 targets in 51 matches.
(Wagner Meier/Getty Photographs)
Mamelodi Sundowns
Nation: South Africa
Confederation: CAF
World Energy Rating: 218
Opta South African Premiership Rating: 1
How they certified: CAF rating between 2021 and 2024
The Sundowns have featured as soon as within the Membership World Cup, dropping the 2016 fifth-place playoff 4-1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai. The staff additionally holds the document for essentially the most South African league titles with 17, 4 forward of the Kaizer Chiefs in second.
Key Participant: Lucas Ribeiro
Ribeiro, 26, has managed seven targets and 5 assists in underneath 1,200 minutes of motion this season, contributing to extra targets than some other Sundowns participant.
Esperance de Tunis
Nation: Tunisia
Confederation: CAF
World Energy Rating: 325
Opta Tunisian Ligue Rating: 1
How they certified: CAF rating between 2021 and 2024
Esperance have featured in three Membership World Cups, taking part in within the fifth-place playoff on all three events and successful twice. They’ve the third-most CAF Champions League trophies with 4, behind Al Ahly (12), TP Mazembe and Zamalek (5 every).
Key Participant: Youcef Belaili
The Algerian winger has had a implausible begin to the 2024-25 season, with seven targets and eight assists in 11 matches after becoming a member of from MC Alger.
Ulsan HD
Nation: South Korea
Confederation: AFC
World Energy Rating: 360
Opta Okay League 1 Rating: 2
How they certified: AFC rating between 2021 and 2024
Ulsan have competed in two Membership World Cups, dropping the fifth-place match on each events. Since their most up-to-date look within the competitors, they’ve gained every of the final three Okay League 1 titles with not less than a five-point buffer over the staff in second place.
Key Participant: Ataru Esaka
Esaka featured in 43 matches for Ulsan final season, scoring seven instances and aiding 5 extra from midfield.
Pachuca
Nation: Mexico
Confederation: CONCACAF
World Energy Rating: 376
Opta Liga MX Rating: 9
How they certified: 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners
Pachuca will make their fifth Membership World Cup look subsequent summer time and first since 2017 once they completed third — their greatest exhibiting within the competitors — by beating Al Jazira 4-1. The membership have been initially often called Pachuca Athletic Membership.
Key Participant: Salomon Rondon
The previous Newcastle United and Everton striker joined Pachuca in January and has scored 25 instances in 44 matches.
(Agustin Cuevas/Getty Photographs)
Urawa Crimson Diamonds
Nation: Japan
Confederation: AFC
World Energy Rating: 392
Opta J1 League Rating: 9
How they certified: 2022 AFC Champions League winners
The Crimson Diamonds have featured in three Membership World Cups, together with the 2023 version once they misplaced to Al Ahly 4-2 within the third-place playoff. They did end third in 2007, although, by defeating ES Sahel on penalties. They’ve gained the J1 League simply as soon as in 2006 however have lifted the AFC Champions League title on three events (2007, 2017 and 2022).
Key Participant: Ryoma Watanabe
The 28-year-old winger was the one Urawa participant to start out all 37 league video games in 2024. Watanabe contributed six targets and 5 assists as properly.
Leon
Nation: Mexico
Confederation: CONCACAF
World Energy Rating: 405
Opta Liga MX Rating: 11
How they certified: 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Leon featured on the 2023 Membership World Cup, dropping to Urawa Crimson Diamonds within the second spherical. One of many oldest golf equipment in Mexico, Leon have been the primary to be conferred the “campeonismo” title awarded to groups that win the league and cup in the identical season, doing so in 1949.
Key Participant: Stiven Mendoza
Mendoza has offered targets from the left wing, scoring 4 instances in 12 matches since becoming a member of from Adana Demirspor in July.
Wydad Casablanca
Nation: Morocco
Confederation: CAF
World Energy Rating: 565
Opta Botola Professional Rating: 4
How they certified: 2021-22 CAF Champions League winners
Wydad performed within the 2017 and 2022 Membership World Cups, dropping to Urawa Crimson Diamonds and Al Hilal within the fifth-place play-off and second spherical respectively. They’ve gained the Moroccan league a document 22 instances, seven greater than Union Sportive Marocaine in second, and gained three CAF Champions League titles.
Key Participant: Pedrinho
The 20-year-old Brazilian has acquired solely 297 minutes of motion to date this season however has proven critical potential, scoring as soon as.
Al Ain
Nation: United Arab Emirates
Confederation: AFC
World Energy Rating: 679
Opta UAE Professional League Rating: 5
How they certified: 2023-24 AFC Champions League winners
Al Ain can be taking part in their second Membership World Cup subsequent summer time, having made the 2018 closing, which they misplaced 4-1 to Actual Madrid. They continue to be the one staff from the UAE to win the AFC Champions League, having lifted the title in 2003 and misplaced in two finals (2005 and 2016) earlier than their success in 2024.
Key Participant: Soufiane Rahimi
Rahimi, who has 10 targets in 25 caps for Morocco, was essential to Al Ain’s newest AFC Champions League success. The 27-year-old scored 13 targets and assisted six extra in 13 matches in that match.
Auckland Metropolis
Nation: New Zealand
Confederation: OFC
World Energy Rating: 4083
Opta New Zealand Nationwide League Rating: 1
How they certified: Greatest-ranked OFC Champions League winner between 2021 and 2024
Auckland Metropolis are the lowest-ranked staff at subsequent 12 months’s Membership World Cup, greater than 3,000 spots decrease than the next-lowest membership. They’ve, nevertheless, made extra appearances on the match than some other staff with 11, with their greatest end coming in 2014 once they beat Cruz Azul on penalties to complete third.
Key Participant: Stipe Ukich
What number of of Auckland Metropolis’s gamers will return for subsequent season stays to be seen, however Ukich, who turns 18 subsequent month, impressed, scoring 10 instances in 38 matches in all competitions final season.
The 32 groups within the Membership World Cup 2025
Inter
2
Man Metropolis
3
Actual Madrid
5
Bayern Munich
8
PSG
9
Chelsea
10
Juventus
13
Atletico Madrid
14
Dortmund
20
Benfica
21
Porto
23
Al Hilal
30
Botafogo
55
Palmeiras
58
Flamengo
67
River Plate
99
Al Ahly
104
Inter Miami
114
Seattle
143
Monterrey
144
Crimson Bull Salzburg
151
Boca Juniors
155
Fluminense
166
Sundowns
218
Esperance
325
Ulsan HD
360
Pachuca
376
Urawa
392
Leon
405
Wydad
565
Al Ain
679
Auckland
4083
(High photographs: Getty Photographs)
