FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Messi Magic, and Weather Woes Headline Group Stage

Saturday - 12/07/2025 04:15

The FIFA Club World Cup witnesses thrilling upsets. Auckland City stuns Boca Juniors. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami advances to the Round of 16. River Plate and Inter clash in a heated match. Extreme weather conditions impact the games. Real Madrid and Manchester City remain strong contenders. The tournament raises concerns for the upcoming World Cup.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its revamped format, has delivered a series of compelling narratives as it advances towards the Round of 16. This edition boasts an expanded roster of participating teams, a redesigned trophy, a greater selection of host cities, and the innovative addition of referee cameras, bringing the tournament closer to the grandeur of the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have framed the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence and pride," highlighting the shared passion uniting clubs, players, and fans. The inclusion of debutant teams and the tournament's month-long duration have significantly elevated its status.

Featuring teams from all six confederations – 12 from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and the host nation's representative – the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been marked by its share of surprises, underdog victories, and intense clashes.

Auckland City's Unexpected Stand

Auckland City, ranked 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. They were placed in a group with powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. It's crucial to note that Auckland City's squad consists of amateur players from New Zealand's Northern League, a competition with only 12 teams.

The team suffered a harsh 0-10 defeat against Bayern Munich, the largest margin in the tournament thus far, and a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City defied expectations. In a classic David vs. Goliath scenario, the amateurs denied Boca Juniors a spot in the Round of 16, holding them to a 1-1 draw. The result was particularly significant given the 4,819-point ranking difference and Boca's storied history.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance to Round of 16

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez celebrate a goal for Inter Miami

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, defied expectations in a group that included Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. Despite expectations of an early exit, they secured a place in the Round of 16 by finishing second in Group A.

While Miami managed only one win, it proved sufficient for qualification. After a draw against Al Ahly, they faced Porto, where Messi's brilliance, including a remarkable free kick, led to a 2-1 victory. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras sealed their spot in the next round.

Tensions Rise at the Club World Cup

The final matchday in Group E saw tensions flare as River Plate's Marcos Acuna and Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries nearly came to blows after Inter denied River Plate a win. The incident, rooted in a previous encounter three years prior, involved Acuna displaying a shin guard with the 2022 World Cup trophy logo, referencing Argentina's victory over the Netherlands.

Extreme heat also played a significant role, with teams resorting to ice baths and cold towels to protect players. Borussia Dortmund even had substitutes watch their game against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to avoid the heat. Thunderstorms caused delays in multiple games.

Adding another layer, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were present at the tournament, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend matches.

Concerns for the 2026 World Cup?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has raised concerns about the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Issues such as pitch quality and extreme weather conditions have been prominent.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the pitch conditions, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all."

Familiar Faces Remain

Despite the surprises and underdog stories, the tournament continues to be dominated by European powerhouses. Teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City remain strong contenders for the title. However, teams like Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca were eliminated without earning a single point.