FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Upsets, Messi Magic, and US Heat Test World Cup Readiness

Saturday - 28/06/2025 03:40

The FIFA Club World Cup witnesses thrilling upsets. Auckland City stuns Boca Juniors. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami advances to the Round of 16. River Plate and Inter clash in a heated match. Extreme weather conditions impact the games. Real Madrid and Manchester City remain strong contenders. The tournament raises concerns for the upcoming World Cup.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, in its revamped format, has delivered a compelling narrative as it progresses towards the Round of 16. With an expanded field of teams, a redesigned trophy, multiple venues, and even the introduction of referee cam, this edition held in the United States is drawing comparisons to the prestigious quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have lauded the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," uniting clubs, players, and fans in their shared love for the sport. The inclusion of numerous debutants and the tournament's month-long duration have significantly elevated its status.

Featuring teams from all six confederations – 12 from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and the host nation's representative – the 2025 lineup is complete.

With the group stage concluded and the final 16 teams determined, this year's Club World Cup has witnessed its share of unexpected results, clashes between underdogs and giants, and moments of intense competition, both on and off the field.

Auckland City's Unforgettable Stand

Auckland City, ranked a distant 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked participant. Placed in a group with powerhouses Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors, their prospects appeared bleak. It's important to note that Auckland City's squad consists of amateur players competing in New Zealand's Northern League, which comprises only 12 teams.

Their tournament began with a harsh 0-10 defeat against Bayern Munich – the largest margin of victory in the competition thus far – followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Manchester City celebrates their dominant group stage performance.

Manchester City topped Group G with 3 wins in as many matches, collecting 9 points. (AP Photo)

Already eliminated, Auckland faced Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final match with nothing to lose. In a classic David versus Goliath scenario, the underdogs denied Boca a place in the Round of 16, as the Argentinian side needed a win to advance. The 1-1 draw, considering the 4,819 ranking point difference and Boca's storied history, was a monumental achievement for the amateurs.

Messi and Inter Miami Advance to the Round of 16

Many expected Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, drawn alongside Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras, to struggle in the group stage. However, the Argentine superstar, supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, led his team to the Round of 16, finishing second in Group A.

Lionel Messi celebrates a goal with Luis Suarez

Despite securing only one win, it was enough for Miami to progress. Following a draw against Al Ahly in their opening match, they faced Porto. In what seemed a daunting task, Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, secured a 2-1 victory. A 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their final game confirmed Miami's spot in the knockout stage.

A Club World Cup of High Temperatures and Tensions

Tensions flared on the final matchday in Group E, where River Plate needed a victory to reach the Round of 16. Inter, however, thwarted their ambitions. The final whistle sparked a confrontation between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from both teams and their staff. The rivalry, dating back three years, saw Acuna display the 2022 World Cup trophy logo on his shin guard to Dumfries, referencing Argentina's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in a heated quarter-final.

The competition extended beyond on-field clashes, with extreme heat forcing teams to implement ice baths and cold towels for their players. Borussia Dortmund went as far as having their substitutes watch their game against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching heat, with their coach describing the conditions as a "sauna." Thunderstorms and lightning caused delays in at least five matches.

Adding another layer of complexity, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had a presence at the tournament, marking a first for the competition. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also played a role, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend matches.

Concerns for the Upcoming World Cup?

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, less than a year away, its dress rehearsal has exposed several challenges. Issues ranging from pitch quality to heat and weather conditions have made the tournament far from seamless.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the substandard pitch conditions, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all," after his team's game against Pachuca at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Familiar Faces Still Dominate

Despite the emergence of underdog stories, major upsets, and an expanded field of teams, the tournament remains dominated by Europe's elite clubs. Powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Manchester City are still among the favorites to lift the trophy. However, Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC and Pachuca were eliminated without a single point,