Official: Real Madrid learn their group stage opponents for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s path in the 2025 Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from 15 June to 13 July, has been determined.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team has been drawn into Group H alongside RB Salzburg from Austria, Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia, and Pachuca from Mexico.

Although each opponent presents unique challenges, Los Blancos remain the favourites to top their group.

A look at the opponents

One of the group opponents, Salzburg, will also feature in Real Madrid’s current Champions League campaign.

The Austrian club is scheduled to visit the Santiago Bernabeu on 22 January for a league-phase encounter. Salzburg are considered the least threatening team in Group H, making them a potentially easier rival for Real Madrid.

Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign will kick off against Al Hilal, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

This match rekindles memories of their 2022 Club World Cup final clash, where Madrid triumphed 5-3. Goals from Vinícius Jr., Federico Valverde, and Karim Benzema sealed the victory.

However, Al Hilal have since bolstered their squad significantly, bringing in stars like Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

These new additions make the Saudi team a far more formidable opponent this time around.

The fourth team in Group H is Pachuca, a club with whom Madrid could potentially meet in the final of the Intercontinental Cup on 18 December, provided Pachuca secures qualification.

For Real Madrid, the real test in the competition is likely to come after the group stage. In the round of 16, they could face heavyweights like Manchester City or Juventus, two favourites in Group G.

These matches could determine Madrid’s fate in their quest for yet another Club World Cup title. Despite the challenges, Ancelotti’s men remain well-equipped to go through their journey and aim for the ultimate prize.