Questions surround FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup as we close in on the tournament’s halfway mark.
Temperatures have soared in the United States, facilitating tough physical conditions for the 32 teams. Pitches have been criticised a year out from the World Cup , while a mixed bag on the attendance front has suggested that Gianni Infantino’s brainchild hasn’t quite delivered on the promises laid out by the FIFA president.
It perhaps hasn’t been an unmitigated success, but neither has it been a disaster—far from it. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.
While European dominance was projected, the South Americans have stolen the show so far, and Brazil, in particular, will be heavily represented in the knockout stages. As the group phase reaches its conclusion, there’s scope for the competition (and northeastern temperatures) to reach new heights over the next couple of weeks.
Here’s the full 2025 Club World Cup knockout stage bracket.
Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand here
