One player to watch from every FIFA Club World Cup team

Published:
Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup will see some of football's biggest players go head-to-head in the United States - but some lesser-known names will also be looking to make their mark.

FIFA's newly-expanded tournament will see 32 teams from all across the globe compete for the trophy, with sides from countries as far-reaching as South Africa, New Zealand and Tunisia taking part - meaning there will be plenty of new faces you may not have encountered before.

From huge stars and new signings to forgotten names and exciting young stars, here is a player from each team you should be keeping an eye on.

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Group A

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Palmeiras (BRA) - Estevao

We start with one of football's brightest young stars. The 18-year-old will join Chelsea later this summer and the stage is set to show the world exactly why that is during his final swansong for Palmeiras.

Porto (POR) - Samu Aghehowa

Another youngster who could be on his way to the Premier League, Spanish 21-year-old Adghehowa scored 19 league goals for Porto last season.

FIFA Club World Cup trophy 2025

Al Ahly FC (EGY) - Emam Ashour

The top scorer in Egypt's Premier League in 2024/25 with 13 goals, Ashour will be key if Al Ahly are to upset the elite teams this summer.

Inter Miami (USA) - Lionel Messi

Say what you like about the Club World Cup, an undoubted positive is that it is a chance to see one of football's greatest thrive on the world stage for what could be one of the final times.

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Group B

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Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) - Desire Doue

Fresh off his player-of-the-match display in the Champions League final, Doue's rise to becoming one of football's brightest stars is showing no sign of slowing down.

Atletico Madrid (ESP) - Alexander Sorloth

A tally of 24 goals last season is made all the more impressive by the fact Sorloth was rarely a regular start for Atletico. The Norwegian former Crystal Palace is striker is 20/1 to win the Golden Boot in the USA.

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Botafogo (BRA) - Igor Jesus

Jesus is one of three Botafogo players reportedly set to join Nottingham Forest this summer. The versatile 24-year-old forward has drawn comparisons with namesake Gabriel Jesus.

Seattle Sounders (USA) - Obed Vargas

Another teenage midfielder destined for Europe, Vargas is considered one of MLS's brightest young stars and looks set to continue his development in the Eredivisie in the near future.

Group C

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Bayern Munich (GER) - Jamal Musiala

Musiala is already a fixture of the footballing consciousness for his displays for Bayern and Germany and is undoubtedly one of the best players set to feature at the Club World Cup.

Auckland City (NZL) - Myer Bevan

Auckland City, the only amateur side at this summer's tournament, will have their hopes resting on local lad Bevan, who grabbed three goals and an assist in five outings to win his side the OFC Champions League.

Boca Juniors (ARG) - Edinson Cavani

Argentinian giants Boca Juniors have one of Europe's deadliest strikers of the modern era leading the line. Former Napoli, PSG and Manchester striker Cavani may now be 38 but certainly still knows where the goal is, scoring 25 goals in 67 games since returning to South America.

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Benfica (POR) - Vangelis Pavlidis

The striker enjoyed an impressive debut season for Benfica, scoring 19 league goals, with both Chelsea and Newcastle linked with the Greece international.

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Group D

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Flamengo (BRA) - Jorginho

Brazilian midfielder Jorginho is back at Flamengo after leaving Arsenal this summer and will come up against former side Chelsea in the group stage.

ES Tunis (TUN) - Rodrigo Rodrigues

Apart from having surely the best name of any player at the tournament, Rodrigues is one of Tunisian side Esperance's best threats at the centre of their attack.

Chelsea (ENG) - Liam Delap

Chelsea's new No9 Delap will get his first chance to impress in the United States with the Blues landing the sought-after striker an impressive debut Premier League campaign with Ipswich.

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LAFC (USA) - Olivier Giroud

To another former Chelsea favourite who will face the West Londoners, Giroud now finds himself at LAFC with France's all-time top scorer netting in his last two games in MLS.

Group E

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River Plate (ARG) - Franco Mastantuono

The 17-year-old, who has been compared with Lamine Yamal, will be a Real Madrid player later this summer and is another who will get the chance to announce himself to the world before moving to the Bernabeu.

Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) - Shusaku Nishikawa

Every international tournament needs a veteran goalkeeper capable of pulling off a string of saves against a top side and minnows Urawa Red Diamonds might have just that, with 37-year-old Nishakawa continuing to marshal their backline.

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Monterrey (MEX) - Sergio Ramos

A four-time in the previous format of the Club World Cup with Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos will provide some worthwhile experience at the back for Mexican side Monterrey after joining from Sevilla in February.

Inter Milan (ITA) - Lautaro Martinez

Despite falling short in both Serie A and the Champions League, Inter Milan will be among the contenders to go all the way and Lautaro Martinez remains one of Europe's top forwards.

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Group F

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Fluminense (BRA) - Thiago Silva

This tournament is littered with some of the game's top players of yesteryear and Thiago Silva is no exception, with the now 40-year-old the captain of Brazilian outfit Fluminense.

Borussia Dortmund (GER) - Jobe Bellingham

To a player who is young enough to be Silva's son, Jobe Bellingham will get his first action since joining Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland with the prospect of facing brother Jude's Real Madrid in the quarter-finals a real possibility.

Ulsan HD (KOR) - Lee Chung-yong

Yes, the same Lee Chung-yong who played for Bolton and Crystal Palace during the mid-2010s. The now 36-year-old winger is still a regular for Korean side Ulsan HD.

Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) - Ronwen Williams

While Mamelodi Sundowns are a huge underdog in the context of this tournament, they have a Yashin Trophy nominee in their ranks with many backing Ronwen Williams for a move to Europe in the near future.

Group G

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Manchester City (ENG) - Rayan Cherki

Man City's rebuild has begun and Cherki is their most eye-catching piece of business so far this summer. The France international recently caught the eye with a stunning goal in the Nations League after a hugely impressive campaign for Lyon.

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Wydad AC (MAR) - Mohamed Rayhi

Rayhi scooped up the Golden Boot in the Moroccan top flight in 2024/25 and will be the main threat for the likes of City and Juventus to deal with.

Al Ain (UAE) - Soufiane Rahimi

Rahimi is also a danger with 19 goals in 28 games for 2024 AFC Champions League winners Al Ain, who like Wyad, will be looking to upset City and Juventus by progressing to the knockout stages.

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Juventus (ITA) - Khephren Thuram

Despite another slightly underwhelming season for Juventus, Thuram was one of Serie A's top-performing midfielders and is sure to be a player to watch this summer and into next term.

Group H

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Real Madrid (ESP) - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Football's worst-kept secret has finally been confirmed and this summer we will finally see Alexander-Arnold line up in the white of tournament favourites Real Madrid. It will be intriguing to see how the England man features in new manager Xabi Alonso's system for Los Blancos.

Al Hilal (KSA) - Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Club World Cup's only Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have a number of familiar names, given his recent links to a Premier League return, we have gone with Mitrovic. The Serbian goalscorer has scored 68 goals in 79 since his move to the Middle East.

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Pachuca (MEX) - Salomon Rondon

Al Hilal vs Pachuca could be a game to keep an eye on with two old-school physical former Premier League No9s coming to blows. Pachuca frontman was a fan favourite at West Brom and Newcastle and has 36 goals in 67 games since his move to Mexico.

FC Salzburg (AUT) - Dorgeles Nene

FC Salzburg make up an exciting-looking Group H and Dorgeles Nene looks like the latest star coming out of the Red Bull talent factory, with the Mali international possessing the pace, guile and an eye for goal which has made him a target for Tottenham in recent weeks.

Luckydip

Now you know the players to watch out for, why not check out an overview of every team at the Club World Cup, the tournament schedule or our betting guide, while we have also answered all the questions you may have about the new-look Club World Cup.

How do I watch the Club World Cup?

Every single match at the Club World Cup will be broadcast on DAZN, with viewers able to watch games on their platform free-to-air. UK viewers can also watch matches on Channel 5.

When and where is the 2025 Club World Cup taking place?

The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, marking the first time the expanded tournament will feature 32 clubs in a month-long format.

Can I bet on the Club World Cup?

Ladbrokes is giving customers the opportunity to bet on the outright winner for the Club World Cup, with Real Madrid the current favourites. Other markets available include group betting and top goalscorer.

View the latest Club World Cup odds.

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

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