FIFA Club World Cup 2025 tournament preview & how to bet guide

Ladbrokes runs through our 2025 Club World Cup preview and how to bet guide, containing all the information needed for those looking to find out more about this summer's huge event.

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.

• 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 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.

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

Real Madrid are the current favourites to win the competition. It may be their best shot of silverware after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal.

Manchester City are the defending champions having won the final version of the previous format, but aren't the only English participant, with Chelsea also qualifying. Both are in the thick of the European qualification race this season.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors were drawn in the same group, which is sure to be a great encounter supported by two passionate fanbases. Boca's city rivals River Plate will face Inter Milan in the group stage.

Teams by continent:

UEFA (Europe): 12

CONMEBOL (S. America): 6

AFC (Asia): 5

CONCACAF (N. America): 5

CAF (Africa): 4

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.

With Barcelona and Liverpool not competing, it could be the perfect opportunity for the likes of Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Jr to reassert their case to be the best player in the world.

Harry Kane has some catching up to do in his trophy cabinet and could be a great shout to land the tournament's Golden Boot. Inter's Lautaro Martinez is likely to offer stiff competition, as will Erling Haaland.

And how much of a role will Kevin De Bruyne play, with his Man City contract expiring midway through the tournament?

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 football odds.

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