2025 Club World Cup: Everything to Know and Where to Watch in NZ

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks a bold new chapter in global football. For the first time in history, 32 of the world’s top club teams will compete in a month-long tournament hosted by the United States, transforming what was once a compact competition into a full-scale spectacle akin to the FIFA World Cup. Scheduled from June 15 to July 13, this reimagined edition features an expanded format that brings together champions and high-performing clubs from every continent, showcasing the true international reach of the sport.
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With football icons from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Flamengo to Al Ahly, Al Hilal, and Auckland City, fans can expect a rich blend of styles, rivalries, and surprises. The stakes are higher, the matches more intense, and the global spotlight brighter than ever.
📅 Tournament Overview
Dates: June 15 – July 14, 2025
Host Country: United States
Number of Teams: 32
Format: 8 groups of 4 teams; top 2 advance to knockout stages
Total Matches: 63
🌍 Participating Teams by Confederation
UEFA (Europe): Real Madrid (Spain), Manchester City (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Chelsea (England), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Inter Milan (Italy), Benfica (Portugal), Porto (Portugal), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Juventus (Italy), Atlético Madrid (Spain), FC Salzburg (Austria)
CONMEBOL (South America): Flamengo (Brazil), Palmeiras (Brazil), Fluminense (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Botafogo (Brazil)
CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean): Monterrey (Mexico), Seattle Sounders (USA), Pachuca (Mexico), Inter Miami (USA), LAFC or Club América (Mexico) – pending playoff
AFC (Asia): Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (UAE), Ulsan HD (South Korea)
CAF (Africa): Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
OFC (Oceania): Auckland City (New Zealand)
🔥 Key Storylines to Watch
Expanded Format: The shift from a 7-team to a 32-team tournament brings a World Cup-style excitement to club football.
Star-Studded Lineups: Clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich bring global superstars to the pitch.
Emerging Contenders: Teams from Asia, Africa, and Oceania have the opportunity to challenge traditional powerhouses.
Host Nation Spotlight: The United States aims to showcase its growing soccer culture ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
📺 Where can I stream in New Zealand
In New Zealand, you can stream 2025 World Club Cup matches for free on DAZN.
⌚️ Match times in New Zealand
Due to the U.S. host time zones, most matches will take place during early morning to midday hours in New Zealand. Expect kickoff times between 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM NZT.