A total of 32 teams lined up for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup when it kicked off on 14th June in the United States. And now we’re down to the last eight. There have been some significant sides who haven’t made it this far, notably Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Despite being the dominant force in English football in recent years, City were humbled by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who beat them 4-3 after extra time in the Round of 16.
Inter Milan, who were playing in the Champions League final a few weeks ago, also suffered defeat at the same stage (2-0 to Brazilian side Fluminense). While Atletico Madrid and Porto didn’t even make it past the group stage.
It’s time to forget about the sides who’ve left the tournament, however, as we focus on the quarter-finals, which will be played on the 4th and 5th of July.
Fluminense v Al-Hilal
To many, the first of the Club World Cup quarter-finals will be viewed as a battle of the giant killers, given that Al-Hilal knocked out the current champions and Fluminense defeated the 2010 winners (and CL finalist). But that might be doing a disservice to both sides, given each has been a losing finalist in this very competition in recent years: the Brazilian side in 2023 and the Saudis the year before. Admittedly, fewer clubs were competing at each of those renewals, but the achievement is still significant.
Aside from their Round of 16 victories over European powerhouses, both Al-Hilal and Fluminense performed well in their respective groups. The Saudis earned a decent draw against Real Madrid, while Fluminense got a point against Borussia Dortmund. It’s a tough one to call, but the Saudis go in as very slight favourites. It really could go either way, and the winner has a great chance of making another final.
Palmeiras v Chelsea
Palmeiras had one of the easier groups and managed to finish top (albeit on goal difference) ahead of Inter Miami, Porto and Al Ahly (of Egypt). Their reward was a Round of 16 tie against a familiar foe: fellow Brazilians Botafogo. In a tight match, Palmeiras edged it 1-0 after extra time thanks to a goal from Paulinho in the 100th minute.
Chelsea, meanwhile, had a mixed bag of results in their group, with a decent enough win over Los Angeles, but a concerning 3-1 defeat to Flamengo of Brazil. They finished the group strongly, however, with a 3-0 victory over Tunis. They were taken to extra time in their Round of 16 match against Benfica, but Enzo Mareca’s men found their form late in the game and it ended 4-1 to the Blues. Maresca will be wary of their quarter-final opponents after slipping up against a Brazilian side in the group, but we think Chelsea will edge it.
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
A match that would be worthy of a Champions League final, two of Europe’s true giants face off in Atlanta. PSG are still on a high after winning their first-ever European title, but they haven’t been perfect at this tournament. One of several European sides to stumble against Brazilian opposition, PSG lost 1-0 to Botafogo in the group stage, but wins over Atletico and Seattle Sounders proved enough for them to finish top. They then made short work of Inter Miami in the Round of 16, winning 4-0.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, started the tournament in style with a 10-0 drubbing of Auckland City. But, after following up with a narrow win over Boca Juniors, they lost 1-0 to Benfica and could only finish second in their group. It meant a tough match in the Round of 16 against Flamengo, but the Germans did enough to win 4-2, with Harry Kane bagging a brace.
When these sides met in the League Phase of the Champions League, Bayern won 1-0. It could be a similarly tight game here, but the European champions go into the game as the favourites, and we fancy PSG to do enough to progress.
Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
Another match that could be worthy of a final, Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in a match that could have featured Jude Bellingham face his younger brother Jobe. Alas, the Dortmund man picked up a booking in his side’s 2-1 victory over Monterrey, which means he’s suspended for the quarter-final. There will still be stars aplenty on display, and it promises to be a fantastic match for the neutrals.
Both sides topped their groups and both avoided defeat, but something has to give here. Real Madrid looked solid and determined in their Round of 16 win against Juventus, and a similar display in this one should see Xabi Alonso’s men through to the semis. The winner will face either PSG or Bayern Munich, so it’s certainly not the easier side of the draw. But Real will fancy their chances against anyone.
Which Side Will Go All the Way?
Given the teams in the top half of the draw – Chelsea, Palmeiras, Fluminense and Al-Hilal – the Blues will certainly fancy their chances of getting to the final. Repeating their 2021 Club World Cup triumph won’t be easy, given the quality of the teams on the other side of the draw, however.
Overall, we think PSG have the best chance of going all the way and adding to their European title, though the winner of Real Madrid versus Bayern will certainly push them to the limit in the semis. We can see PSG making it through after extra time or on penalties, and then they should triumph in the final too.