Photo by USA Today / Sports Seriously.
The FIFA Club World Cup is kicking off on Saturday, June 14 across North American stadiums including MetLife Stadium.
This is the first time that 32 teams—previously seven—will be playing in the FIFA Club World Cup in efforts to revamp the tournament and bring more global viewership. There will be clubs from UEFA (Europe), CONMEBOL (South America), Concacaf (North & Central America), CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia) and OFC (Oceania) competing in this year’s Club World Cup, which will be divided into eight groups.
Hosting Club World Cup matches also serves the U.S. and MetLife Stadium as preparation for next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Club World Cup is a competition between the world’s top football clubs and organizations whereas the FIFA World Cup, which is at a grander scale, includes national teams that qualified to compete.
Group A
- Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
- FC Porto (Portugal)
- SE Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Inter Miami (United States)
Group B
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Seattle Sounders FC (United States)
Group C
- FC Bayern München (Germany)
- Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
- CA Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- SL Benfica (Portugal)
Group D
- Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
- CR Flamengo (Brazil)
- Chelsea FC (England)
- LAFC (United States)
Group E
- CA River Plate (Argentina)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
- CF Monterrey (Mexico)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
Group F
- Fluminense FC (Brazil)
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Ulsan HD (South Korea)
- Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa)
Group G
- Manchester City (England)
- Wydad AC (Morocco)
- Al Ain FC (United Arab Emirates)
- Juventus FC (Italy)
Group H
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
- CF Pachuca (Mexico)
- FC Salzburg (Austria)
The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is also taking place in the U.S. and Canada starting Saturday, June 14 to July 6 with Mexico and the Dominican Republic kicking off the group stage matches on Saturday.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony will take place on June 14 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium launching a “bold new era for global club football.” In Miami fashion, the opening show will have energetic Latin sounds with a mix of international rap curated by Grammy-winning producer Emilio Estefan Jr.
French Montana and Swae Lee will headline the opening ceremony, which will be followed by a display of the 32 team crests carried out by the players.
The first Club World Cup match at MetLife Stadium will take place on Sunday, June 15 with SE Palmeiras (São Paulo, Brazil) vs. FC Porto (Porto, Portugal).
Although there is much anticipation for the games, there is also fear among fans as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be present to work with local, state and federal partners to “secure the games around the U.S.”
In a since-deleted social media post, CBP wrote, “Let the games begin! The first FIFA Club World Cup games start on June 14th in Miami… CBP will be suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games.”
Participation of CBP in major sports has occurred in the past. During the most recent Super Bowl, which occurred in New Orleans 100 Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, Air and Marine Operations agents were involved in security measures.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the FIFA Club World Cup is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the Super Bowl. Our mission remains unchanged,” said a CBP Spokesperson in a statement sent to The Athletic.
But it’s also reported that the Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would also be a part of the tournament’s security team, and advised “non-American citizens” to carry proof of their legal status.
In recent weeks, ICE has intensified their arrest tactics as demands from the White House ask for an increase in arrests of people who have entered the country illegally, without necessary documents or authorization or remained in the country unlawfully.
Finals at MetLife
The final game will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 13. MetLife Stadium is currently the hotspot for major soccer tournaments as they also hosted Copa America games last year and will host 2026 FIFA World Cup games including the final next year.
NJ Transit will have train and bus services to MetLife and is expected to operate its regular weekday and weekend rail schedule on game days, but could see some service adjustments on game days based on operational conditions.
“Rail service will operate approximately four hours prior to kickoff and up to three hours following completion of the game,” NJ Transit said in a statement.
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There will be NJ Transit customer ambassadors in bright orange soccer jerseys at key transit locations.
Things to know about nearby train stations:
For the first time ever, FIFA Club World Cup will be doing a halftime show, which will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems headlining.
“From Medellín to MetLife — I’m honored to headline the first-ever halftime show of the FIFA Club World Cup final,” said Balvin in a statement. “It’s a historic moment — for me, for Latin culture, and for every kid who dreams big.”
Match Schedule At MetLife Stadium:
- Sun. June 15 | Group A, Match 4: SE Palmeiras (São Paulo, Brazil) vs. FC Porto (Porto, Portugal) – 6:00 p.m. EST.
- Tues. June 17 | Group F, Match 9: Fluminense FC (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) vs. Borussia Dortmund (Dortmund, Germany) – 12:00 p.m. EST.
- Thurs. June 19 | Group A, Match 17: SE Palmeiras (São Paulo, Brazil) vs. Al Ahly FC (Cairo, Egypt) – 12:00 p.m. EST.
- Sat. June 21 | Group F, Match 27: Fluminense FC (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) vs. Ulsan HD FC (Ulsan, South Korea) – 6:00 p.m. EST.
- Mon. June 23 | Group A, Match 36: FC Porto (Porto, Portugal) vs. Al Ahly FC (Cairo, Egypt) – 9:00 p.m. EST.
- Sat. July 5 | Quarter-final: Winner Match 55 vs. Winner Match 56 – 4:00 p.m. EST.
- Tues. July 8 | Semi-final: Winner Match 57 vs. Winner Match 58 – 3:00 p.m. EST.
- Wed. July 9 | Semi-final: Winner Match 59 vs. Winner Match 60 – 3:00 p.m. EST.
- Sun. July 13 | Final: Winner Match 61 vs. Winner Match 62 – 3:00 p.m. EST.
For tickets to matches and more info check out, the official FIFA Club World Cup page.
