The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to kick off in the United States on June 14 – and for the first time ever, 32 clubs from around the world will battle it out for the title of global champions.
With more matches, more pressure, and more eyes watching, this year’s Club World Cup will be like nothing we’ve seen before.
Naturally, the anticipation around who might lift the 2025 Club World Cup trophy is growing – and if you’re into online betting, there’s no shortage of predictions being made.
So, who are the top five favourites heading into this historic tournament? Here’s a look at the most talked-about contenders, based on form, pedigree, and depth.
Real Madrid: A Star-Studded Squad Facing Uncertainty
No surprises here.
The most decorated club in European football doesn’t just show up to participate – they come to win.
However, Real Madrid’s 2024/25 season has been a rollercoaster.
Despite a squad brimming with talent, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior – and as of June 1 the addition of Trent Alexander-Arnold – the team concluded the season without securing any major trophies.
They finished second in La Liga, were runners-up in both the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España, and exited the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals after a 5–1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal.
The departure of long-serving players like Toni Kroos and Nacho Fernandez marked the end of an era, and the team struggled to find consistency throughout the season.
Mbappé, while clinching the Pichichi Trophy with 31 league goals, couldn’t propel the team to silverware.
In response to the underwhelming season, Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso as the new head coach, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti. Alonso’s arrival brings hope for a tactical rejuvenation, aiming to harness the full potential of the star-studded lineup.
As the Club World Cup approaches, Real Madrid’s blend of individual brilliance and recent managerial change positions them as formidable contenders, albeit with questions lingering about their cohesion and adaptability on the global stage.
Bayern Munich: Harry Kane Ends His Drought, Now Eyes the World
After a season of near misses and what-ifs, Bayern Munich reasserted their dominance in German football by clinching their 33rd Bundesliga title – a record-extending achievement that also marked Harry Kane’s first major trophy.
The England captain, long dubbed “cursed” for his silverware struggles, finally lifted a league trophy, finishing as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for the second consecutive year and earning Player of the Season honours.
Under the guidance of Vincent Kompany, who took the reins in May 2024, Bayern transformed into a cohesive and resilient unit.
Kompany’s emphasis on defensive solidity paid dividends, with the team conceding the fewest goals since their 2019/20 treble-winning campaign.
While their domestic cup run ended prematurely in the Round of 16, and their Champions League journey concluded in the quarter-finals, the Bundesliga triumph signified a successful season and a promising foundation for future campaigns.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, Bayern Munich enters the upcoming Club World Cup with renewed confidence and a clear objective: to translate their domestic success onto the global stage.
PSG: From First UCL to First CWC?
Paris Saint-Germain’s 2024/25 season was nothing short of historic, and the Club World Cup is a chance at marking this as an even more iconic year for the club.
Under the astute leadership of Luis Enrique, PSG clinched their 13th Ligue 1 title, secured the Coupe de France, and, most notably, captured their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy, completing a continental treble – a feat no other French club has achieved.
Their Champions League journey was a testament to resilience and flair.
After a shaky group stage, PSG faced Liverpool in the Round of 16. A 1-0 home defeat in the first leg put them on the back foot, but they bounced back with a 1-0 win at Anfield, eventually advancing 4-1 on penalties.
This victory ignited their campaign, eventually leading to a dominant 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan in the final – a record margin in a European Cup final.
Central to their success was Ousmane Dembele, who delivered a career-best season with 33 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
His partnership with mid-season signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a new dimension to PSG’s attack, making them a formidable force on the European stage.
As they prepare for the Club World Cup, PSG’s blend of domestic dominance and newfound European pedigree positions them as strong contenders to claim global glory.
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Chelsea: The First to Win It All, and Ready to Do It Again
Under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, the Blues navigated a rollercoaster 2024/25 campaign that culminated in a historic achievement: becoming the first club to win all five major UEFA competitions.
Chelsea’s crowning moment came with a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, held in Wroclaw, Poland.
Cole Palmer shone brightly, providing two assists and earning the Man of the Match award.
This triumph added to Chelsea’s illustrious European trophy cabinet, which already included titles from the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup, and Super Cup.
Despite a mid-season dip in form, Chelsea recovered to finish in the Premier League top four – securing a return to the Champions League and silencing the doubters in the process.
They may have started strong and stumbled along the way, but the fight they showed to get over the line proved just how far this team has come.
And when it comes to the Club World Cup? Chelsea aren’t strangers to the big occasion.
They lifted the trophy back in 2022 (the 2021 edition), and now, with a rejuvenated squad and momentum on their side, they’ll fancy their chances of doing it all over again.
Manchester City: Trophyless Season but Still Hungry for Club World Cup Glory
Manchester City’s 2024/25 season was a stark contrast to their previous dominance.
The campaign’s trajectory shifted dramatically following Rodri’s season-ending ACL injury in September, sustained during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal. The absence of their midfield linchpin disrupted the team’s rhythm, leading to a series of uncharacteristic defeats.
Without Rodri, City’s vulnerabilities were exposed.
They endured a four-match losing streak across all competitions – a first under Pep Guardiola’s tenure.
This period included a 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham, marking their heaviest loss at the Etihad in the Guardiola era.
The team also faced early exits from the EFL Cup and the Champions League, the latter at the hands of Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
Despite these setbacks, City secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, clinching a Champions League spot on the final day.
Looking ahead, the Club World Cup presents an opportunity for redemption for the reigning champions of the competition.
With new signings like Tijjani Reijnders aiming to bolster the midfield, City will be eager to reassert their dominance at the Club World Cup.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Europa Press
Recording Date: 04.06.2025