Reaction to Club World Cup draw: ‘A unique opportunity’ | OneFootball

Bayern have been drawn against Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica in the group stage of the new-format FIFA Club World Cup in the USA between 15 June and 13 July 2025, following Thursday’s draw in Miami.

Jan-Christian Dreesen, FC Bayern CEO: “The draw underlines the fact that the Club World Cup offers top clubs from around the world a unique opportunity to show themselves in a new format. It’s an honour for Bayern to be among the contenders. We’ve been close to sports enthusiasts in the USA since 2014 with our office in New York. That was a key step. And especially looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, football will enjoy even greater presence in the USA. We’re looking forward to exciting games and experiencing the enthusiasm of fans from around the world.”

Max Eberl, FC Bayern board member for sport: “An interesting new tournament that’s paired us against opponents with tradition, with a historic whiff of Diego Maradona and from the other side of the world. What a mix to get you excited. We’re really looking forward to another encounter with Benfica, to facing the legendary Boca Juniors of Argentina and also Auckland City, who you really don’t get to face every day. We’ll approach this group with the greatest respect, but our clear goal is to go as far as possible in this tournament.”

Christoph Freund, FC Bayern sporting director: “It’s a new format with lots of new names. We’ve got an exciting group. We know Benfica, have actually just played them in the Champions League. They’re a big club who play good football. Boca Juniors are one of the most tradition-rich clubs in South America with a huge fanbase. Bayern played against them in the final of the 2001 Intercontinental Cup, with Sammy Kuffour scoring in extra-time. So we’ve got good memories of them. Auckland City are something special on top. It’ll be really exciting.”

Harry Kane, FC Bayern striker: “It’s a great honour to be competing in this Club World Cup with Bayern. I’m really excited about this new tournament, where we players get to test ourselves against the best in the world at club level. As a player you always want to play at the highest level. I’m excited about the games and who will be the first winner of this new format.”

Group stage draw for the 2025 Club World Cup

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders Group C: Bayern, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica Group D: Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis, Chelsea, Club Leon Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Inter Milan, Monterrey Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns Group G: Manchester City, Wydad AC, Al Ain, Juventus Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Red Bull Salzburg

Club World Cup format

In previous years, the winner of the Club World Cup was crowned through a mini tournament consisting of seven teams, with Bayern lifting the trophy as Champions League holders in 2013/14 and 2020/21. Starting in 2025, a new-format tournament will be played in the summer every four years. A total of 32 teams from the six continental confederations of AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA will compete in the USA between 15 June and 13 July.

The teams are split into eight groups of four, playing each other once. The top two will advance to the knockout stage of one-legged ties from the round of 16 to the final. There will be no third-place play-off.

Club World Cup venues

FIFA names stadiums for 2025 Club World Cup

Out of the three host countries for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the USA was given the right to host the Club World Cup. The opening game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami between Inter Miami and Al Ahly. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The other nine host cities are Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Nashville, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington D.C. and Orlando, who have two stadiums hosting games.

What’s happening to the old Club World Cup?

Bayern last won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2020/21, beating Tigres 1-0 in the final.

It’s not simply being replaced but is being continued in a shortened format under the new name of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Real Madrid, as the current Champions League holders, will compete in 2024 and play in the final at a neutral venue against the winners of a mini tournament consisting of the champions of the other confederations. This year’s final is scheduled for 18 December. The Intercontinental Cup will be played in the years between the Club World Cup.

Ticket information for Club World Cup

As soon as FIFA inform us about ticket availability, prices, venues and dates, we will start accepting requests. Further information will follow in due course. As it stands, interested people will receive an access code from us, which will allow you to apply for tickets via FIFA. Tickets will only be available via the FIFA mobile app.

Read more about the draw for the group stage here

Who will Bayern face in the FIFA Club World Cup?