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 crew every from six continental confederations and the league champions from the host nation battle it out.
There have been considerations over the event elongating the soccer calendar and controversy over qualification standards. Inter Miami, for instance, are in after successful the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Defend, 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 won’t be there, however the likes of Manchester Metropolis, Inter and Actual Madrid shall be. A full clarification of the qualification standards and tips on how to watch the draw might be discovered right here. The draw takes place in Miami at this time 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 knowledge on this piece is right as of December 3, 2024). You could find a desk with the 32 golf equipment and their world rankings on the backside of this text.
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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 last. They received there after attaining the treble in 2010 below 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 occasions 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 received the 2023 Membership World Cup by defeating Fluminense 4-0 of their event debut. The Premier League’s defending champions have been one of many world’s finest groups over the previous 15 years. They had been the primary English crew 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 objectives 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 received probably the most Membership World Cup titles (5). Along with being the one crew to have received the Champions League thrice in a row two occasions, Madrid are additionally the one Spanish crew to have performed their very own academy crew in a cup last, doing so within the 1980 Copa del Rey.
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Key Participant: Vinicius Junior
Because the begin of the 2021-22 season, Vinicius Jr has recorded 81 objectives and 60 assists in 154 matches, averaging 0.9 aim contributions per sport.
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 received 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 intensive. Along with assembly 16 occasions in European competitions, they had been based simply 91 days aside — Barcelona on November 28, 1899, and Bayern on February 27, 1900.
Key Participant: Harry Kane
In November, Kane turned the quickest participant to achieve 50 Bundesliga objectives, taking simply 43 matches. Total, his report at Bayern stands at 64 objectives 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 aim tally from final season (4) in simply 13 matches, scoring 10 occasions. 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 received the 2021 Membership World Cup after beating Palmeiras 2-1 after additional time. Nevertheless, among the many European groups set to function within the 2025 version, they’re one in all solely two groups to have misplaced a Membership World Cup last (Actual Madrid being the opposite), after shedding 1-0 to Corinthians in 2012. Chelsea are the one crew to have received the Champions League, Europa League, Tremendous Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup twice.
Key Participant: Cole Palmer
Palmer has contributed to 54 objectives in 60 matches throughout all competitions for Chelsea and is at present 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 3 times. In addition they loved success within the Cup Winners’ Cup (1983-84) and Intercontinental Cup (twice). Juventus had 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 probably the most minutes with 1,567 throughout competitions. He has contributed two objectives 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 shall be competing within the Membership World Cup for the primary time, having by no means received the Champions League. They’re among the many 5 groups to have received the Europa League/UEFA Cup three or extra occasions, although. Whereas rivals of Actual Madrid, Atletico had 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 pink and white stripes.
Key Participant: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann was not at Atletico once they received their two most up-to-date La Liga titles, however he’s their all-time prime scorer with 188 objectives in 410 matches throughout three spells (2014-19, 2021-23 on mortgage, and 2023-present).
Griezmann is Atletico’s all-time prime 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 shall be Dortmund’s first look on the Membership World Cup, however they received the Intercontinental Cup in 1997 following their Champions League triumph earlier that yr. Earlier than that, Dortmund had been the primary German crew 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 objectives and 5 assists in eight matches throughout competitions have are available in simply 510 minutes of motion. He’s on monitor to eclipse his finest season at Dortmund (9 objectives, 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 received successive European Cups in 1961 and 1962 and this shall 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 degree on factors with Porto however misplaced the title as Porto scored 81 objectives to their 56.
Key Participant: Kerem Akturkoglu
In his first season at Benfica, Akturkoglu has recorded 9 objectives and 4 assists in simply 14 matches. Two of his 5 league objectives 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 received 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 received the league 30 occasions and are the one Portuguese crew to have received 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 occasions in 14 video games throughout the league and Europa League, averaging a aim 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 3 times, 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 objectives scored, 23 conceded and 96 factors.
Key Participant: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Signed in August 2023, Mitrovic scored 40 objectives in 44 matches final season and has 19 objectives 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 last final month. They maintain the report for the longest unbeaten run within the Brazilian prime flight, going 42 matches with out a loss between 1977 and 1978. They didn’t win the title in both yr, although.
Key Participant: Jefferson Savarino
Savarino recorded 12 objectives and 13 assists in 52 matches through the 2023-24 season, together with three objectives 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 additional time earlier than shedding 2-1 in late 2021. The Brazilian membership received one of many first membership tournaments involving groups from completely different continents. The Copa Rio, in 1951, included Austria Vienna, Sporting CP, Juventus and Pink Star (Crvena Zvezda). In a two-game last, Palmeiras beat Juventus in a single and drew the opposite to win the title.
Key Participant: Estevao Willian
The 17-year-old, who is about to affix Chelsea subsequent summer time, racked up 18 objectives and 12 assists through the 2023-24 season, averaging a aim contribution each 98.6 minutes.
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Estevao Willian is on his option 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, shedding the 2019 last to Liverpool (1-0 after additional time) and ending third by beating Al Ahly 4-2 in 2023. Flamengo’s full identify is Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, that 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 occasions in 43 matches for Flamengo through the 2024 season, guiding them to the Copa do Brasil. He received the golden boot on the 2023 Membership World Cup with 4 objectives.
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 last, shedding 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, shall be one to look at subsequent summer time after recording eight objectives 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 cheap 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 received 15 league titles, with the opposite three going to their rivals, Zamalek.
Key Participant: Wessam Abou Ali
Striker Abou Ali recorded 20 objectives and 6 assists final season and has began this marketing campaign with 4 objectives 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’ Defend winners
On the again of their first league defend, 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 event. In actual fact, 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 objectives and 10 assists within the 2024 MLS common season regardless of taking part in simply 19 matches, averaging a aim contribution each 49.5 minutes. Miami misplaced solely a kind 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 shall 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 stored 30 clear sheets in MLS over the past two seasons — together with the playoffs — greater than another 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 occasions within the Membership World Cup, ending third twice (2012 and 2019).
Key Participant: Sergio Canales
Former Actual Betis stalwart Canales has been Monterrey’s finest participant since becoming a member of in July 2023, recording 22 objectives and 7 assists in 57 matches.
(Azael Rodriguez/Getty Photographs)
Pink Bull Salzburg
Nation: Austria
Confederation: UEFA
World Energy Rating: 151
Opta Austrian Bundesliga Rating: 2
How they certified: UEFA rating from 2021 to 2024
Pink Bull Salzburg have by no means participated within the Membership World Cup. Their finest end in Europe over the previous decade has been reaching the spherical of 16 of the Champions League in 2021-22. Domestically, Salzburg received 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 last, which they misplaced 4-2 to AC Milan.
They’ve received the Copa Libertadores on six events and stay the one crew to have received the event with out a single loss, having accomplished so in 1978.
Key Participant: Edinson Cavani
Former PSG and Manchester United striker Cavani scored 20 occasions 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 last. 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 objectives 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, shedding the 2016 fifth-place playoff 4-1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai. The crew additionally holds the report for probably 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 objectives and 5 assists in below 1,200 minutes of motion this season, contributing to extra objectives than another 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 unbelievable begin to the 2024-25 season, with seven objectives 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, shedding the fifth-place match on each events. Since their most up-to-date look within the competitors, they’ve received every of the final three Okay League 1 titles with a minimum of a five-point buffer over the crew in second place.
Key Participant: Ataru Esaka
Esaka featured in 43 matches for Ulsan final season, scoring seven occasions and helping 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 finest exhibiting within the competitors — by beating Al Jazira 4-1. The membership had 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 occasions in 44 matches.
(Agustin Cuevas/Getty Photographs)
Urawa Pink Diamonds
Nation: Japan
Confederation: AFC
World Energy Rating: 392
Opta J1 League Rating: 9
How they certified: 2022 AFC Champions League winners
The Pink 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 received 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 begin all 37 league video games in 2024. Watanabe contributed six objectives 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, shedding to Urawa Pink Diamonds within the second spherical. One of many oldest golf equipment in Mexico, Leon had 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 objectives from the left wing, scoring 4 occasions 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, shedding to Urawa Pink Diamonds and Al Hilal within the fifth-place play-off and second spherical respectively. They’ve received the Moroccan league a report 22 occasions, seven greater than Union Sportive Marocaine in second, and received three CAF Champions League titles.
Key Participant: Pedrinho
The 20-year-old Brazilian has obtained solely 297 minutes of motion up to now 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 shall be taking part in their second Membership World Cup subsequent summer time, having made the 2018 last, which they misplaced 4-1 to Actual Madrid. They continue to be the one crew 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 objectives in 25 caps for Morocco, was essential to Al Ain’s newest AFC Champions League success. The 27-year-old scored 13 objectives and assisted six extra in 13 matches in that event.
Auckland Metropolis
Nation: New Zealand
Confederation: OFC
World Energy Rating: 4083
Opta New Zealand Nationwide League Rating: 1
How they certified: Finest-ranked OFC Champions League winner between 2021 and 2024
Auckland Metropolis are the lowest-ranked crew at subsequent yr’s Membership World Cup, greater than 3,000 spots decrease than the next-lowest membership. They’ve, nonetheless, made extra appearances on the event than another crew with 11, with their finest 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 occasions in 38 matches in all competitions final season.
The 32 groups within the Membership World Cup 2025
| Workforce | World Energy Rating |
|---|---|
|
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 |
|
Pink 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 |
(Prime photographs: Getty Photographs)