The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, offers unique betting opportunities due to its expanded 32-team format featuring top clubs from every confederation. Fans are divided on its prestige, with South American, African, and Asian supporters excited for global matchups, while European fans view it as less significant than the Champions League, citing scheduling concerns.
This soccer guide combines team stats, fan sentiment, and expert insights from cbs soccer experts and social media posts to provide tailored betting strategies, highlighting top teams, dark horses, and consensus favorites..
Fan Sentiment on the FIFA Club World Cup
The upcoming tournament receives strong support from South American and African and Asian fans because they see it as their opportunity to compete against European football powerhouses. On Reddit Brazilian fans consider the Club World Cup as an essential event because it provides their teams with an opportunity to face world-class competition. Users on X including @lucho_morales10 express their interest in watching Palmeiras vs. Porto and Botafogo vs. Atlético Madrid matches.
European soccer enthusiasts on Reddit’s r/soccer and r/championsleague communities tend to view the tournament negatively as a profitable event that fails to match the prestige of the UEFA Champions League. Several fans consider the tournament as an unnecessary burden for their already tight schedules and predict teams will send reserve squads because of their exhausted players.
Commercial and Marketing Appeal
Fans recognize the tournament brings commercial value to the United States where Bayern Munich and Juventus view this event as an opportunity to expand their brand. The tournament gives Palmeiras and Mamelodi Sundowns and Seattle Sounders an opportunity to gain international exposure because South American and African clubs seek global recognition while MLS teams want to introduce their supporters to the world stage.
People express doubts about the tournament format because the qualification system benefits 12 UEFA teams. R/soccer members believe the wide difference between European and non-European teams results in an uninteresting expanded tournament which will produce matches similar to Champions League contests. On X @profvitoria1535 and others support the tournament’s diverse lineups but remain uncertain about European teams maintaining consistent competition performance.
Top Clubs
Several clubs stand out as the most likely winners because of their excellent history together with their current form and excellent players:
The current Champions League champions Real Madrid lead the odds list with a total of five Club World Cup titles and a +300 probability of victory. The team’s exceptional roster which includes Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. remains unmatched despite their inconsistent domestic performance this season. The team’s extensive experience in crucial tournaments along with their favorable Group D positioning against Al Hilal, Salzburg and Pachuca provides them with competitive advantages according to fans.
The Premier League disappointment of Manchester City has not weakened their chances in the tournament since Pep Guardiola plans to lead them to victory with his deep squad (+350 odds). The return of Rodri from injury boosts the team and their 2023 Club World Cup victory brings them increased confidence. Members of r/MCFC express their determination to win all competitions.
The attacking power of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola along with their Champions League final run makes PSG a leading contender at odds of +400. Fans on X platforms such as @profvitoria1535 and @FtblVax consider them among their top selections because of their recent form and their early finish in Ligue 1.
Inter Milan holds a strong defensive structure and their Champions League runner-up status in 2023-24 makes them a fan choice at +500 odds. The fans on r/championsleague discuss how Lautaro Martínez will be a crucial player because his team’s disciplined tactics might defeat more flashy opponents.
Enzo Maresca now leads Chelsea’s young talented team which has exceeded Premier League predictions to become a tournament underdog at odds of +600. According to ESPN analyst Lynch the combination of American ownership and Conference League performance at Chelsea may lead them to focus on this tournament.
Cinderella Clubs (Potential Surprises)
The non-European teams are the subject of much speculation as potential dark horses who could spoil the party for the favourites.
Botafogo (Brazil): Botafogo are still in midseason form as Copa Libertadores champions, which gives them a fitness advantage over their European opponents. ESPN thinks they could possibly cause two upsets in Group B, between PSG and Atlético Madrid, with fans on r/championsleague mentioning their investment and attacking style as a threat.
Palmeiras (Brazil): With a young star-studded squad, including Estêvão Willian (set to join Chelsea) and Facundo Torres, Palmeiras are a fashionable pick to go far in the competition, despite the tough Group A draw (Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami). @profvitoria1535 lists them as one of his top picks, and their global brand makes them a South American contender that will appeal to fans looking for an upset.
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia): Al Hilal is seen as a hazardous outsider in Group D because they have ex-European players Rúben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrović. On Reddit, their financial backing and competitive Saudi Pro League form makes them a fan-favorite upset pick.
Al Ahly (Egypt): The African Champions League winners are thought to be strong enough to finish in the top two of Group A. On r/soccer, fans mention their experience and passionate support as things that could lead to an upset result against European teams.
Pachuca (Mexico): As Concacaf Champions Cup winners, Pachuca have an attacking style and a youth development program that could make them an upset pick in Group D. On SI.com, they are noted for their potential to “make a splash,” especially against a Real Madrid team that might be fatigued.
General Consensus on Favorites to Win
European teams are expected to dominate but other confederations could make their mark:
Top Favourites
Real Madrid and PSG are always amongst the most commonly mentioned winners, with bookmakers and predictive models favoring Real Madrid due to their experience and talent.
@lucho_morales10 on X includes Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan in the top tier, which shows a strong European bias. According to Opta’s supercomputer, Real Madrid has a 35% chance of winning, followed by City (20%) and PSG (15%).
Non-European Hopes
Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Al Hilal are seen as the most likely non-European challengers, with fans on Reddit and X mentioning their midseason fitness and star players. However, the historical gap between UEFA and other confederations (South American teams won 44.7% of Intercontinental Cups from 1960-2004 but only three Club World Cups since 2005) reduces expectations.
Fans on r/worldcup and X (@profvitoria1535) also predict surprises from Chelsea and América (Mexico) due to Chelsea’s recent form and América’s Concacaf history. However, Inter Miami, despite Lionel Messi’s presence, is not seen as a real contender, and ESPN predict an early exit for the team.
Predicted Outcome
Most fans and analysts predict a European team to win, with Real Madrid and PSG leading the pack. A Reddit user on r/championsleague stated, “It’s basically another Champions League with extra steps,” indicating doubts about the chances of non-European teams. A deep run by Botafogo or Al Hilal could shake up the perception if they beat a giant.
Key Themes and Considerations
Prize money and the fact that teams from South America and CONCACAF are still in mid-season might give them an advantage over tired European teams. This fuels hopes for upsets, as ESPN states.
Prize Money and Motivation
The $1 billion prize pool encourages teams to participate, but European fans are concerned that top clubs might not take it seriously, which could allow underdogs to advance.
Messi Factor
The reason Inter Miami were included was to give Lionel Messi a stage in the U.S., but no one really thinks they will do well. Fans see it as a marketing tool and not as a sporting one.
Betting Angle
For bettors, focus on group stage upsets (e.g., Botafogo over Atlético Madrid at +500) or player props like Lautaro Martínez for top scorer (+800).Smaller clubs employ defensive strategies which make 2.5 goals under a safe betting option during knockout matches.
Tournament Format and Dynamics:
The competition uses eight groups of four teams which send their top two performers to a single-elimination knockout competition starting at the Round of 16. The tournament follows FIFA World Cup format with 48 group-stage matches offering numerous betting possibilities.
Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG receive European club favour from odds makers because of their strong roster and experience while Botafogo and Palmeiras from South America and Al Hilal benefit from midseason physical readiness to possibly defeat top European teams in early matches.
Fatigue from long domestic and Champions League commitments affects European teams but South American and Concacaf teams benefit from playing in the middle of their domestic seasons.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Team
Real Madrid (+350, RealBookies): Five-time Club World Cup winners with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. The team will face Al Hilal and Salzburg and Pachuca in their group but their unimpressive domestic performance this season might affect their concentration. NovibetMexico fans on X (@NovibetMexico) view them as top contenders but expect them to receive unexpected defeats from their opponents.
Manchester City (+500, Bookie.ag): Their successful 2023 Club World Cup title defense is threatened by their poor 2024/25 Premier League campaign combined with Rodri’s injury issues. r/soccer followers believe Pep Guardiola will use this season as a chance to rebuild his team after their recent struggles.
PSG (+600, Unibet): PSG’s Ligue 1 and Champions League success has led to a strong attack which features Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia and Barcola. The challenging group consisting of Atlético Madrid, Botafogo and Wydad will test their abilities according to fans like @profvitoria1535 on X who note their recent form.
South American Teams
Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Flamengo (all ~33/1, William Hill) are midseason and boast attacking talent like Estêvão Willian (Palmeiras) and Luiz Henrique (Botafogo). Group-stage victories seem possible for their teams because of their fitness advantages.
Underdogs
Al Hilal (+6600, Unibet) with Rúben Neves and Al Ahly (CAF champions) receive backing from fans for surprising results because of their strong performance in competitive domestic competitions and their experience in international competitions.
Market Trends and Fan Sentiment:
Non-European teams receive preferential betting odds from fans on Reddit’s r/soccer and X (@TwentyOne_OBO) because of their higher chances to win in group stage matches or create upsets. The historical European success in winning 14 of 18 tournaments since 2000 makes betting on European teams safer but produces smaller profits.
The substantial $1 billion prize money drives club participation but European teams might choose to give their essential players a break which creates possibilities for underdog success.
Posts from FPL_TomHadley on X (@FPL_TomHadley) demonstrate how Lautaro Martínez (Inter) and Harry Kane (Bayern) are essential picks for fantasy purposes because they score goals according to fans.
Betting Tips and Strategies
Outright Winner Bets:
The odds suggest PSG has more value than Real Madrid and Manchester City for winning the tournament because they have a refreshed team and recently played in the Champions League final. The attacking approach of PSG suits the open nature of this tournament and they maintain better freshness than their competitors. Bet on PSG at the beginning because their odds will probably decrease near June. A small wager on Botafogo (+3300) should be placed as an insurance bet for a potential upset victory.
Real Madrid (+350, Unibet): Their domestic performance issues cannot diminish their chances of winning because of their strong team roster and experienced players. The best strategy involves pairing Real Madrid (-200) with a group winner bet since Group D presents minimal challenges. It will increase the overall value of the wager.
Real Madrid (+350, Unibet): Despite domestic struggles, their experience and star power make them a safe pick. The best way to maximize value is by betting on Real Madrid to win Group D (-200) while selecting Botafogo to qualify from Group B (+200, Bet365). Their group stage opponents include PSG and Atlético Madrid and Wydad. The team’s current playing status and Tiquinho Soares and Luiz Henrique’s skills enable them to outperform Atlético Madrid or Wydad and secure a second-place finish in their group. According to ESPN they could match strength with Atlético Madrid. Bet on Botafogo to finish among the top two in their group or to win particular matches such as the match against Wydad at +150.
The prediction is that Palmeiras will move into the Round of 16 (+150, William Hill). Palmeiras are a good bet to go through because of their fitness and young players like Estêvão. Fans on X (@profvitoria1535) are calling for a deep run by them.
Strategy: Pair with a prop bet on Estêvão Willian to score (+300) in group matches.
Under 2.5 Goals in Group Stage Matches (-110, Bookie.a):
Why: Many group-stage games, especially involving European teams, may be cagey as they conserve energy or face unfamiliar opponents. Historical Club World Cup data shows low-scoring matches when top teams meet lesser sides.
Strategy: Focus on matches like Real Madrid vs. Pachuca or Bayern vs. Auckland City, where defensive tactics or one-sided dominance limit goals.
Combine with BTTS – No (+100) for higher returns.
Player Prop Bets:
Lautaro Martínez Top Goalscorer (+800, Bet365): Inter’s striker is a fan favorite on X (@FPLTom_) for bonus points in fantasy, reflecting his scoring potential. His form in big games makes him a strong pick.
Strategy: Bet on Martínez for top scorer or first goalscorer in Inter’s group matches (vs. Mamelodi Sundowns, Urawa, América).
Harry Kane to Score in Any Match (+120, Paddy Power): Kane’s consistency for Bayern makes him a safe bet for goals, especially against weaker Group F opponents like Auckland City.
Strategy: Combine with Bayern to win by 2+ goals for a parlay.
Marc Guiu (Chelsea) to Score (+250, BetMGM): The 19-year-old’s six goals in eight Europa Conference League games make him a breakout candidate, especially if Chelsea rotate to keep Nicolas Jackson fresh.
Strategy: Target Guiu for first goalscorer in Chelsea’s Group E matches (vs. Fluminense, Esperance, Ulsan).Bet Builder and Accumulators:
Bet Builder for PSG vs. Botafogo: Combine PSG to win, Over 1.5 goals, and Kvaratskhelia 1+ shot on target (+300, Betfair). PSG’s attacking style and Botafogo’s open play suggest a high-scoring game.
Strategy: Use BetMGM or Bet365’s Bet Builder tools to customize selections based on player stats (e.g., shots, fouls) from their Match Centres.
Group Stage Accumulator: Bet on Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Palmeiras to win their groups (+1200, William Hill). This leverages European dominance and Palmeiras’ favorable draw.
Strategy: Add Asian Handicap picks (e.g., Bayern -1.5 vs. Auckland) for insurance.
Live Betting Opportunities:
Why: The tournament’s multiple daily matches (up to four per day in the group stage) make live betting ideal, especially for games involving tired European teams or underdogs leading early.
Strategy: If a favorite like Manchester City trails a team like Al Hilal at halftime, bet on City to win at higher live odds (+200 or better). Alternatively, bet on Under 1.5 goals live if a match starts cautiously.
Additional Betting Considerations
Research Non-European Teams: Fans on Reddit emphasize that lesser-known teams like Al Ahly or Pachuca can surprise due to unfamiliarity. Use resources like Andy’s Bet Club for team and player stats (goals, shots, corners) to inform bets.
Tip: Check squad updates and injury reports on sites like Transfermarkt.com before betting, as European clubs may rest stars.
Compare Online and Offshore Sportsbooks: Odds vary significantly (e.g., Real Madrid +350 at Unibet vs. +400 at Bovada).
Use Oddschecker or Oddsportal for real-time comparisons to maximize value.Free Bets and
Promotions: Bookmakers like BetMGM, Paddy Power, Betfair, and Bet365 offer free bets (e.g., £50 for a £10 bet at Paddy Power). Sign up early to claim these for group-stage matches.
Tip: Use promo codes like 1XBET for exclusive bonuses, as suggested by Johnnybet.
Venue and Conditions: Matches across 12 U.S. stadiums (e.g., MetLife for the final) may be affected by summer heat or travel fatigue. Monitor venue-specific stats on BetMGM’s Match Centre for informed in-play bets.
Transfer activities between teams remain crucial from June 1 to June 10 since these operations shape team rosters. The upcoming contract expiration of Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City will influence his current role.
Where to Watch
Watch: DAZN carries all tournament matches while viewers can choose free broadcast options. The timing for U.S. evening matches which fall late in the UK schedule includes the final game at 7pm UK time on July 13.
Choose PSG to win the tournament at +600 odds because of their current performance and players who have received rest while taking Botafogo or Palmeiras at +500 and +400 odds to advance to the quarterfinals. Group-stage matches between European teams should focus on betting Under 2.5 goals (-110) and select player props such as Lautaro Martínez or Marc Guiu for goals.
Use live betting for in-play value, especially if underdogs take early leads. I will provide you with real-time odds updates near June 15 for the most current market information. Just let me know!
Note: Odds are subject to change. Always check the lineup and injury reports before placing bets while you should compare odds between Oddschecker and other platforms.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup receives mixed reactions from soccer fans because European fans perceive it as inferior to the Champions League but non-European fans find it more exciting.
Real Madrid and Manchester City along with PSG and Inter Milan and Chelsea make up the leading European teams yet Botafogo and Palmeiras and Al Hilal and Al Ahly and Pachuca possess the potential to become the tournament’s underdog heroes. The majority of fans anticipate a European winner between Real Madrid or PSG yet Botafogo or Al Hilal from outside Europe could potentially achieve an unexpected victory.
Main image credit: IMAGO / Beautiful Sports