FIFA Club World Cup 2025 tournament preview & betting guide

The Club World Cup, with the next iteration being scheduled for the summer in America, has undergone some major changes, with several top European clubs now set to feature in an expanded 32-team tournament.

It is the inaugural edition of the new format, with the tournament previously being held in winter and limited to continental competition winners. The tournament will run from June 14 to July 13, 2025.

Now at the semi-final stage, there have been several big surprises in the tournament and a few unexpected names appear in the last eight.

• Opening Match: June 14, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

• Final: July 13, 2025 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

• 63 matches will be played at 12 venues in 11 cities across the USA.

• The full FIFA Club World Cup schedule can be found here.
  

The tournament will have 32 teams split into eight groups of four.

The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, which includes single-elimination matches starting from the Round of 16, similar to the FIFA World Cup format.

Full Club World Cup semi-final draw

• Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

• PSG vs Real Madrid

The increase to 32 teams means that rather than just the Champions League winners, several European heavyweights will be taking part in the competition.

PSG are the new favourites to win the Club World Cup at odds of 6/4, as the European champions aim to become world champions as well.

Chelsea have made it through to the final after a relatively comfortable campaign and are odds of 7/4 to win the showpiece event.

It's Real Madrid's only shot at silverware this season, and they're next in the betting to win the tournament at odds of 9/4.

Teams by continent:

UEFA (Europe): 12

CONMEBOL (S. America): 6

CONCACAF (N. America): 5

CAF (Africa): 4

AFC (Asia): 4

OFC (Oceania): 1

With no competitive international football this summer, all eyes will be on FIFA's showpiece new club event.

This could mean that players' performances earn them a summer transfer, or improve their chances of winning the Ballon D'Or.

Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia is the current favourite to win the Club World Cup Golden Boot. The likes of Angel Di Maria, Serhou Guirassy and Pedro Neto are also in the mix.

We've picked out one player to watch from every team at the Club World Cup.

The expanded Club World Cup represents even more opportunities for punters, with many different ways fans can get involved.

• Outright Winner: Bet on the team to win the tournament. Current favourites include Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
• Top Goalscorer: Wager on the player who will score the most goals.
• Group Winners: Predict which team will top each group.
• Match Betting: Standard bets on individual match outcomes (win, lose, draw).
• Prop Bets: Specific events within a match, such as number of corners, cards, or specific player performances.
• In-Play Betting: Place bets in real-time as matches unfold, offering dynamic odds and opportunities.
  

There are various ways for bettors to make money at the Club World Cup, so Ladbrokes runs you through some of the biggest and most important factors to consider when placing your bets.

• Research Team Form: Analyse recent performances and head-to-head matchups.
• Monitor Player Injuries: Key player absences can significantly impact results.
• Consider Group Dynamics: Some groups may be more competitive, affecting advancement odds.
• Utilise Promotions: Take advantage of welcome bonuses, promotions and free bets offered by Ladbrokes.​
  

With the expanded format and increased number of matches, the Club World Cup promises to be a thrilling spectacle for football enthusiasts and bettors worldwide. Stay informed and bet responsibly to make the most of this historic tournament.

View the latest Club World Cup odds.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.