FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Messi Magic, and Rising Concerns in US Debut

Tuesday - 15/07/2025 03:30

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 progresses towards the Round of 16. The competition, hosted in the United States, boasts an expanded field of teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple venues, and even the novel addition of referee cams, bringing it closer in scale and scope to the prestigious quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have framed the tournament as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans through their shared passion for the sport. With numerous debutants and a month-long schedule, the tournament's profile has significantly grown.

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 edition has been marked by unexpected results, David vs. Goliath clashes, and intense moments both on and off the pitch.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

Auckland City, ranked a distant 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked team. Drawn into a group with powerhouses Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors, their chances appeared slim. The team, composed of amateurs playing in New Zealand's Northern League, faced a daunting challenge.

Their tournament began with a humbling 0-10 defeat to Bayern Munich, the largest margin of victory thus far, followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match, Auckland City defied expectations. In a true David vs. Goliath encounter, the amateurs held Boca to a 1-1 draw, denying them a crucial spot in the Round of 16. The result, considering the 4,819-point ranking difference, stands as a remarkable achievement for the New Zealand side.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance

Lionel Messi celebrating a goal with Luis Suarez

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and bolstered by the additions of Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, defied predictions in Group A. Despite being grouped with formidable opponents like Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras, Miami secured a place in the Round of 16, finishing second.

While the Herons managed only one victory, it proved sufficient. Following a draw against Al Ahly, Miami faced Porto. Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, secured a 2-1 win. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras sealed their progression to the next stage.

Tensions Flare Amidst Challenging Conditions

The final matchday in Group E saw tempers flare as River Plate's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries nearly came to blows after their match. The animosity, stemming from a previous encounter three years prior, saw Acuna taunt Dumfries with a reminder of Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

Beyond on-field clashes, extreme heat presented significant challenges. Teams resorted to ice baths and cold towels to mitigate the effects of the heat. Borussia Dortmund even had their substitutes watch the game from the locker room to shield them from the scorching conditions, described by their coach as "sauna-like."

Moreover, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have a visible presence at the tournament, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend matches.

Concerns Ahead of 2026 World Cup?

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, less than a year away, the Club World Cup has highlighted several potential issues. Concerns have been raised regarding pitch quality and extreme weather conditions, suggesting challenges that need to be addressed before the global tournament.

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 Still Dominate

Despite the emergence of underdog stories and unexpected results, the tournament remains a stronghold for European giants. Teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City continue to be favorites for the title. In contrast, Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca were eliminated without earning a single point.