The summer football calendar takes on a new dimension this year with the debut of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Hosted in the United States, this first-of-its-kind tournament features 32 teams from confederations across the globe, all competing for a share of an impressive $1 billion prize fund.
A host of renowned clubs are participating in this updated format, ranging from UEFA Champions League victors like Paris Saint-Germain to Argentine giants Boca Juniors, each aiming for a deep run in the competition. The largest contingent comes from Europe with 12 teams, while South America is represented by six. Four teams each from Asia and Africa are also involved, alongside five from North America, including three MLS clubs. Oceania secures one spot, filled by the amateur side Auckland City.
Although the fundamental goal of winning is universal, the expectations differ significantly among the participants. Teams considered underdogs, such as Lionel Messi`s Inter Miami and Simone Inzaghi`s Al-Hilal, hope to make a statement in a tournament widely expected to be dominated by European powerhouses. Several European clubs crossing the Atlantic, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inzaghi`s former team Inter Milan (who finished their domestic and continental seasons without a trophy), are under pressure to perform and secure this final piece of silverware before the current season cycle concludes.
With the tournament now in progress, here is an overview of the schedule and results recorded so far:
Schedule and Results (All times U.S./Eastern)
Al Ahly 0, Inter Miami 0
Bayern Munich 10, Auckland City 0
PSG 4, Atletico Madrid 0
Palmeiras 0, Porto 0
Botafogo 2, Seattle Sounders 1
Chelsea 2, LAFC 0
Boca Juniors 2, Benfica 2
Flamengo 2, Esperance de Tunis 0
Fluminense 0, Borussia Dortmund 0
River Plate 3, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
Mamelodi Sundowns 1, Ulsan HD 0
Monterrey 1, Inter 1
Manchester City 2, Wydad AC 0
Real Madrid 1, Al-Hilal 1
Salzburg 2, Pachuca 1
Juventus 5, Al Ain 0
Palmeiras 2, Al Ahly 0
Inter Miami 2, Porto 1
Atletico Madrid 3, Seattle Sounders 1
Botafogo 1, PSG 0
Benfica 6, Auckland City 0
Flamengo 3, Chelsea 1
Esperance de Tunis 1, LAFC 0
Bayern Munich 2, Boca Juniors 1
Borussia Dortmund 4, Mamelodi Sundowns 3
Inter 2, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
Fluminense 4, Ulsan HD 2
River Plate 0, Monterrey 0
Juventus 4, Wydad AC 1
Real Madrid 3, Pachuca 1
Salzburg 0, Al Hilal 0
Manchester City vs. Al Ain, 9 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
PSG 2, Seattle Sounders 0
Atletico Madrid 1, Botafogo 0
Inter Miami 2, Palmeiras 2
Porto 4, Al Ahly 4
Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors, 3 p.m., GEODIS Park, Nashville
Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
LAFC vs. Flamengo, 9 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Esperance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD, 3 p.m., TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense, 3 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Inter vs. River Plate, 9 p.m., Lumen Field, Seattle
Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m., Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Juventus vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Wydad AC vs. Al Ain, 3 p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Al Hilal vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m., GEODIS Park, Nashville
Salzburg vs. Real Madrid, 9 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
1A vs. 2B, 12 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
1C vs. 2D, 4 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
1B vs. 2A, 12 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
1D vs. 2C, 4 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
1E vs. 2F, 3 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
1G vs. 2H, 9 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
1H vs. 2G, 3 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
1F vs. 2E, 9 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
TBD vs. TBD, 9 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TBD vs. TBD, 12 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TBD vs. TBD, 4 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford