Club World Cup build-up: 7 matches to make history | OneFootball

In seven days’ time, FC Bayern will head off to America for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. fcbayern.com starts the countdown and gets you in the mood for the big football event of this summer. Today: seven matches to make history.

The path to the title is known

Every football fan has probably already gone through the different permutations. When the football World Cup comes around every four years, people eagerly predict which path their home country will most likely have to take to ultimately triumph in the major tournament. From the three group matches, through the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals to the final, the dream of winning the title lives on.

A year before the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada kicks off, fans get another chance to dream already this summer. For the first time, the best clubs from all six continents of the world will battle it out to be crowned champions in a new format. While the international World Cup continues to expand and will be played with 48 teams for the first time next year, the new Club World Cup deploys the familiar World Cup system. From 15 June to 13 July, 32 clubs from every corner of the globe have the chance to make history in just seven matches in the United States.

“You can’t compare it to any competition in the past,” said Harry Kane in an interview with FIFA ahead of the debut of the revamped Club World Cup. Taking part in such a big tournament in this format with his club will be a unique experience. What’s more, the interest and the curiosity of people is always high when a competition is held for the first time. “It’s going to be a fantastic tournament,” added the English striker. Of course, the Club World Cup isn’t entirely new – just much bigger and more testing this year. “The sporting demands of winning just one or two games for the title were completely different to what they will be now,” commented FC Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. “Now we can compete with the best 32 teams in the world – with top teams from every continent.”

Jan-Christian Dreesen eyes up the prize at the Club World Cup Trophy Tour: "We want to win the thing."

By opening it up to more teams, the tournament will attract even greater attention. “The South Americans in particular are really up for it, it’s a chance for them to play against FC Bayern, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona,” said Bayern’s Brazilian Giovane Élber. “The Club World Cup is talked about every day in South America, it’s everywhere.”

The anticipation for the worldwide competition is great – as is the desire of all the participants to succeed. “We want to win the thing, that’s the goal that everyone involved has,” emphasised Dreesen. “This is the first time for the tournament, it’s something that will stay in the history books.” The path to the historic title is relatively short – just seven matches.

Tickets are still available for FC Bayern’s games. The German record champions are looking forward to plenty of support from their fans. Head HERE for Club World Cup tickets.

All FIFA Club World Cup matches are being broadcast live and for free by streaming service DAZN.

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More info on the Club World Cup:

All info on the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA