The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has absolutely flown by, and we’re already into the business end of the highly controversial tournament.
There are still those who are on the fence about the new-look tournament, but the quarter-final line-up gives fans plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.
Here’s how the quarter final is shaping up.
Fluminense and Al Hilal Prepare for Battle in Orlando Showdown
Fluminense and Al Hilal will get the quarter final underway with an exciting battle in Orlando.
Both sides have sent shockwaves throughout the tournament with their performance up till this stage and will give it a right go with a place in the last four up for grabs.
These sides may not be favourites to go all the way, but they’ve more than earned their place and given those who buy Club World Cup tickets from Seatsnet.com value for their money.
Not many would have expected Fluminense to reach this stage. Their fans would have ripped your arm off if they were offered a quarter-final spot a fortnight ago.
They arrived in the United States as arguably the weakest of the Brazilian contingent. But football loves a surprise, and Fluminense have delivered.
Paired alongside Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and South Korea’s Ulsan HD in Group F, they made it out as runners-up after going unbeaten (W1, D2).
A round of 16 clash against Champions League finalists Inter Milan seemed to be the end of their journey on paper. But the Brazilian outfit powered through with a comprehensive 2-0 win that kept the football world on the edge of their seat.
Now faced with yet another tricky task against Al Hilal, few would dare to bet against the Brazilians after their exploits up to this stage,
But at the same time, Al Hilal couldn’t have picked a better time to come alive in this tournament.
Led by Simone Inzaghi, who took Inter to the Champions League final, the Saudi Arabian side have emerged as a dark horse in the Club World Cup.
Fluminense will likely sit deep and look to strike on the break, and after keeping three clean sheets from four games, Renato Gaucho’s men have proven to be masters of the defensive art.
But Al Hilal have the firepower to break them down, so it’ll be interesting to see which way this one goes.
Palmeiras vs Chelsea: Underdogs vs Favourites clash in Philadelphia
The Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will play host to a high-stakes Club World Cup contest as Palmeiras take on Chelsea on Friday night.
Palmeiras have gotten this far by showing plenty of fighting spirit. There have been whispers from the fans about their lack of rhythm and inability to play free-flowing football.
But against the odds, Abel Ferreira’s side still finds a way to win. The Portuguese head coach has taken a pragmatic, street-smart approach to this tournament, and so far it has worked a treat.
He has whipped up a side that may not light up the stadium but know how to get the job done.
They got through Group A unbeaten (W1, D2), piping Inter Miami to top spot despite finishing five points apiece, but that success has now landed them a knockout tie against Chelsea.
The Blues have been tagged as favourites to win the Club World Cup given their path to the showpiece.
A stinging 3-1 defeat to Flamengo in the group stage is the only blot on their record, but it has worked a treat, giving them the most favourable route to the title.
A dramatic 4-1 win against Benfica in the last 16 reaffirmed Chelsea’s position as favourites. If they get past Palmeiras, they’ll face the winner of Fluminense vs Al Hilal in the semi-final.
They will not get to face any of the European heavyweights until the final.
Enzo Maresca has experimented with his tactics so far, but with the competition reaching a make-or-break stage, he’ll likely stick with what works going forward.
PSG face Bayern in Clash of the Titans showdown
Two of Europe’s biggest clubs collide this Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, as Paris Saint-Germain take on Bayern Munich in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
PSG come into this game with a real sense of momentum. They dismantled Inter Miami in the last 16, running out 4-0 winners – a game that Javier Mascherano described as a “bloodbath”.
Luis Enrique has been rotating his squad throughout the tournament, but even with changes, PSG have lit up the Club World Cup.
That said, they are not unbeatable. Botafogo proved that with a disciplined 1-0 win that exposed how vulnerable PSG are when they’re up against a compact, well-organised defence.
Vitinha has unsurprisingly been the beating heart of this PSG team.
The Portuguese midfielder has dictated the tempo with remarkable ease, completing more passes than any player in the tournament so far.
He glides through midfield pressure with poise and always seems a step ahead. He makes PSG tick.
Meanwhile, Bayern have been solid, if not spectacular. The highlight of their campaign so far was mauling Auckland City 10-0. But besides that, they’ve been grinding out results.
They edged Benfica 2-1 and were bested by Benfica in their final group stage fixture. They found their groove again in the last 16, flexing their muscle in a 4-2 win against Flamengo.
Tactically, this is a fascinating contest. Bayern like to press high and hard, but PSG’s technical quality makes that risky. If Kompany’s men are too eager and lose shape, they could be torn apart in transition.
Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund lock horns in Champions League final rematch
It’s only been a year since these two sides squared off in the Champions League final. Now, they do so again with a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals up for grabs.
Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Los Blancos look like a team reborn with Xabi Alonso at the helm. After a massively underwhelming trophyless and tension-filled campaign, Alonso has breathed new life into the squad.
After being held to a thrilling 1-1 draw by Al Hilal in the curtain raiser, Madrid have won the following three games in a row, scoring eight goals and conceding just two.
They’ve got their groove back. Alonso has also shown he’s not afraid to make bold tactical decisions to give Madrid a new identity.
Academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia has been the revelation of the tournament for Madrid, notching three goals and an assist in the absence of Kylian Mbappe.
He’d certainly give Dortmund’s backline plenty to think about. Like Madrid, Der BVB were held to a draw in their opening game but have won the last three in a row to get this far.
They’d be keen to avenge their 2-0 defeat in the 2024 Champions League final, and what better way than to knock out the record Club World Cup winners en route to the semis.
