GUIDE
What are the requirements for PSG, Real Madrid, and Inter Miami? Can Al Hilal and Sundowns still make the cut? Al Jazeera provides insights.
As the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 approaches the conclusion of its group stage, every team has played two matches, and five clubs have successfully secured their places in the upcoming round of 16.
Powerhouse teams like Bayern Munich and Manchester City have already qualified, but other major players, including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, are still in need of crucial results to ensure their advancement.
Al Jazeera Sport outlines which teams are moving forward and which are facing elimination, while also examining how some lesser-known clubs could clinch a spot in the knockout phase.
Qualified Teams for the Club World Cup Round of 16
With perfect records of two wins each, the following five teams can celebrate their progress:
- Botafogo
- Bayern Munich
- Flamengo
- Manchester City
- Juventus
Teams Eliminated from the Club World Cup
Seven clubs have seen their campaigns come to an end after losing their opening two games:
- Auckland City
- Los Angeles FC
- Urawa Red Diamonds
- Ulsan HD
- Wydad AC
- Al Ain
- Pachuca
Tie-Breaker Rules for the Club World Cup
Should teams be tied on points, a series of tie-breakers will determine progression to the knockout stage. Following is the order for resolving ties:
- Head-to-head winner among the tied teams
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches
- Total goals scored in head-to-head matches
- Disciplinary points (yellow/red cards)
- Drawing of lots
Outcome Requirements for Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Inter Miami, and Chelsea
Stars like Lionel Messi and renowned European clubs need specific results to advance to the next round. Here’s what each needs:
- Real Madrid: Currently leading Group H with four points, the Spanish giants need a victory against RB Salzburg to secure their place. A draw combined with an Al Hilal win will complicate matters, necessitating tie-breaker rules to ascertain advancement.
- PSG: As the reigning European champions, PSG must win their final Group B clash against Seattle Sounders to finish with six points and guarantee progression along with Botafogo.
- Inter Miami: After a shaky start, the Miami team has four points courtesy of a recent win over FC Porto. To guarantee a spot in the next round, they will need at least a draw against Group A leaders Palmeiras.
- Chelsea: The English team finds itself in a precarious position with three points. To advance, they must avoid defeat against their rivals ES Tunis, sharing the same points—drawing will suffice due to their superior goal difference.
- Inter Milan: The UEFA Champions League runners-up managed one win and one draw. Facing River Plate in their last group game, a win would propel either team to the top, while a draw could initiate a tie-breaker if Monterrey wins against Urawa.
Prospects for Al Hilal, Mamelodi Sundowns, Monterrey, and ES Tunis
All four clubs still have a chance to qualify, each having garnered at least two points from their opening matches.
Both Al Hilal and Monterrey sit on two draws and need decisive victories in their upcoming matches—Al Hilal faces Pachuca, while Monterrey takes on Urawa—to enhance their chances based on goal difference.
The Sundowns, known for their electrifying performances, can secure advancement by defeating Brazil’s Fluminense. A win, giving them six points, would ensure their spot, although a draw may leave them vulnerable to elimination if Borussia Dortmund also publicly perform well.
For ES Tunis, they find themselves in a must-win situation against Chelsea; a draw won’t suffice due to their inferior goal difference.
Additional Teams with Knockout Potential
- Fluminense
- Borussia Dortmund
- Atletico Madrid
- River Plate
- FC Porto
- Benfica
- Al Ahly
- Palmeiras
- Boca Juniors
- RB Salzburg
- Seattle Sounders