A deep dive into how the FIFA Cub World Cup has evolved over the last 25 years.
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The FIFA Club World Cup has transformed significantly since its inception, evolving to reflect the global growth of football.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will mark the 21st edition of FIFA's premier international club football competition. Scheduled to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, this tournament introduces a groundbreaking expanded format featuring 32 teams. Among these, participants will include the winners of the last four continental championships.
Manchester City are the reigning champion, having secured their first title in 2023 during the final tournament under the previous structure. By February 2023, FIFA finalized the allocation of confederation slots, and in June 2023, the United States was confirmed as the host nation.
From a modest tournament pitting continental champions against one another to a grand, expanded competition, FIFA has continuously reimagined the format to keep the tournament relevant and engaging. Here's an in-depth look at the evolution of the Club World Cup, breaking down the different formats, notable winners, and hosts.
GettyClub World Cup over the years – from the 2000 debut to the new 2025 edition
Starting in 2025, FIFA plans to revolutionize the Club World Cup by expanding it to a 32-team tournament held every four years, akin to the FIFA World Cup for national teams. This change aims to increase participation, global interest, and competitiveness.
This format is designed to elevate the prestige of the Club World Cup by making it a marquee event on the football calendar, showcasing elite clubs from around the world. United States are set to host the first edition of the new format.
The new Club World Cup will see 32 teams divided into eight groups of four teams. The teams in each group play each other in round-robin and the top two teams progress to the knockout stage of the competition, or the last 16.
The knockout stage features three rounds (round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals) before the final. In knockout stage games, if the scores are level after normal time, extra time will be played. If a winner is not decided after extra time, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner.
New format – 2025 onwards32Performances in their respective continental competitions over a multi-year period.Group stage followed by knockout rounds.Every four years.Previous format – 2005 to 20247Champions from six continental federations and the host nation's league winners.Knockout tournament with preliminary and quarterfinal rounds.Every yearThe First Edition – 20008Two teams from South America, two from Europe, and one each from North America, Africa, Asia and OceaniaKnockout tournament from quarterfinal rounds.Singe occurrence
The modern era of the Club World Cup began in 2005, replacing the Toyota Cup (Intercontinental Cup). This format featured seven teams, including champions from six continental federations and the host nation's league winners.
Before the Club World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup served as the de facto global championship for clubs. Organized jointly by UEFA and CONMEBOL, it was contested between the winners of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League and the Copa Libertadores. This format was criticized for excluding clubs from other continents, leading to its eventual replacement.
FIFA's first attempt at a global club competition was the inaugural Club World Cup in 2000, hosted in Brazil. The tournament featured eight teams, including champions from all six confederations. Corinthians (Brazil) defeated Vasco da Gama in the final.
Despite its potential, the tournament's financial difficulties and organizational challenges delayed subsequent editions until 2005.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesClub World Cup winners over the years
Real Madrid have the most number of the Club World Cup trophies, having won it five times so far. That includes three consecutive victories between 2016 and 2018.
Barcelona have won it three times, with their most recent success coming in 2015.
Given below is the full list of winners of the competition from 2000 to 2023.
2000Corinthians 0 (4)-0 (3) Vasco da GamaBrazil2005São Paulo 1-0 LiverpoolJapan2006Internacional 1-0 BarcelonaJapan2007Milan 4-2 Boca JuniorsJapan2008Manchester United 1-0 LDU QuitoJapan2009Barcelona 2-1 EstudiantesUnited Arab Emirates2010Internazionale 3-0 TP MazembeUnited Arab Emirates2011Barcelona 4-0 SantosJapan2012Corinthians 1-0 ChelseaJapan2013Bayern Munich 2-0 Raja CasablancaMorocco2014Real Madrid 2-0 San LorenzoMorocco2015Barcelona 3-0 River PlateJapan2016Real Madrid 4-2 Kashima AntlersJapan2017Real Madrid 1-0 GrêmioUnited Arab Emirates2018Real Madrid 4-1 Al-AinUnited Arab Emirates2019Liverpool 1-0 FlamengoQatar2020Bayern Munich 1-0 UANLQatar2021Chelsea 2-1 PalmeirasUnited Arab Emirates2022Real Madrid 5-3 Al-HilalMorocco2023Manchester City 4-0 FluminenseSaudi ArabiaRead more about Club World Cup
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Global streaming platform DAZN has secured the exclusive worldwide rights to broadcast all matches live and free of charge, offering coverage in multiple languages.
Watch Club World Cup 2025 free on DAZNStream now
