Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid will not face Paris Saint-Germain, the French striker’s former club, during the group stage of the 2025 Club World Cup. Additionally, thanks to the pot system in the draw, the Madrid club is guaranteed to avoid Europe’s top teams in their group, an advantage that could work in their favor.
FIFA has announced the allocation of the 32 qualified teams into four pots for the competition, which will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and PSG are among the top seeds in Pot 1.
Due to a semi-pot system, the top European clubs in Pot 2—such as Chelsea, Dortmund, Inter Milan, and FC Porto—cannot face Pot 1 teams during the group stage. This means Real Madrid will avoid early clashes with Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, or Salzburg in this phase of the tournament.
No National Derbies in the Group Stage
The rules also prohibit national derbies in the group stage, ruling out the possibility of a Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid clash at this stage of the competition.
A Major Sporting and Financial Stake
The 2025 Club World Cup is not just a sporting opportunity but also a lucrative event for participating clubs. The winner will take home $5 million, while the runner-up and semifinalists will earn $3 million and $2 million, respectively. With heightened international visibility, clubs are also looking to attract new sponsors and investors.
A Favorable Draw for Real Madrid
With the certainty of avoiding Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid is well-positioned to benefit from a manageable group. Potential opponents such as Benfica (14th in the UEFA rankings), Juventus (22nd), or Salzburg (45th) appear to be within Madrid’s reach. Furthermore, if the top European teams—like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid—win their respective groups, they won’t face each other until the semifinals, setting the stage for exciting matchups later in the tournament.
Teams in Pots 3 and 4: No Serious Threats for Real Madrid
In Pots 3 and 4, teams such as Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Boca Juniors (Argentina), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) are not expected to pose significant threats. Auckland City, representing Oceania, is widely regarded as the weakest team in the tournament. As for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, despite playing their first match at home, their chances of making a significant impact seem limited.
Real Madrid: The Clear Favorite
Experts consider Real Madrid, with its star-studded lineup featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham, as the favorite to win the tournament. Manchester City is seen as their main challenger, while Bayern Munich and PSG remain potential surprises. However, Real Madrid’s favorable draw could give them a decisive edge in their quest for the trophy.
| Pot | Teams |
|---|---|
| Pot 1 | Manchester City (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP), Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Flamengo (BRA), Palmeiras (BRA), River Plate (ARG), Fluminense (BRA) |
| Pot 2 | Chelsea FC (ENG), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Inter Milan (ITA), FC Porto (POR), Atlético Madrid (ESP), SL Benfica (POR), Juventus (ITA), RB Salzburg (AUT) |
| Pot 3 | Al Hilal (KSA), Ulsan Hyundai (KOR), Al Ahly (EGY), Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Monterrey (MEX), Club León (MEX), Boca Juniors (ARG), Botafogo (BRA) |
| Pot 4 | Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Al Ain (UAE), Espérance de Tunis (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Pachuca (MEX), Seattle Sounders (USA), Auckland City (NZL), Inter Miami (USA) |
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