Get ready for one of the biggest club football tournaments in the world. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is taking place from June 14 to July 13 across 11 cities in the United States, bringing together 32 of the world’s top men’s football clubs in a revamped and supersized format.

The month-long tournament will culminate in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where one club will lift the title of world champions.

FIFA has confirmed the 32 teams that will compete in the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 —and it’s loaded with legends.

From Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to Sergio Ramos and Thomas Müller, a total of 26 FIFA World Cup winners will be in action, giving fans across the globe, and especially in the UAE, a reason to tune in.

A Truly Global Tournament

The tournament will bring together 32 of the world’s top club teams, playing 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 host cities, including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Seattle.

In what FIFA is calling the first true “world championship” for clubs, players from 81 countries will take the field, including representatives from all six football confederations and 22 nations that have never before appeared in a FIFA World Cup.

Star Power: World Cup Winners to Watch

The player list reads like a who’s who of modern football:

• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) – Likely to feature in the tournament’s opening game vs. Al Ahly on June 14
• Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
• Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey)
• Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF)
• Thomas Müller & Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern Munich)
• Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, Angel Di María, and many more

In fact, Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad is heavily represented, with 13 players taking part. French fans will spot nine stars from their 2018 triumph.

Clubs With the Most Champions

• Atletico de Madrid leads the way with six World Cup winners
• CA River Plate follow with four
• Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain also boast multiple international icons

Why UAE Fans Should Watch

• Messi’s first game is on June 14, expect major regional TV coverage and streaming
• Multiple Arab clubs are taking part, including Al Ahly (Egypt) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• A chance to see club giants like Man City, Chelsea, Palmeiras, and Urawa Red Diamonds battle for global supremacy

Squad Rules and Transfers

Clubs submitted 26–35 player squads, and FIFA allowed a special transfer window from June 1 to 10 to reinforce line-ups.

There’s also an in-competition registration period (June 27 – July 3), meaning late squad tweaks are possible.

FIFA President on the Tournament

“This will be the most competitive and inclusive club football tournament ever,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We’ll see some of the best players from every continent fight to become the first club to win both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.”

Key Games

• Opening match: Saturday, June 14, 2025
• Final: Expected in mid-July 2025
• Venues: 11 host cities across the US
• Broadcasters: UAE TV rights expected to be announced closer to the date

The Kyrgyz Republic snatched a dramatic stoppage-time goal to hold the UAE to a 1-1 draw in their final Group A clash of the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to 26 on Tuesday night.

Playing at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, the hosts showed relentless spirit as Kai Merk struck in the 95th minute, cancelling out an earlier goal by the UAE’s Harib Abdullah in the 30th minute.

While Kyrgyzstan finishes their campaign with 8 points, the UAE, under newly appointed head coach Cosmin Olaroiu, closes the group stage with 15 points. Olaroiu is still chasing his first win with the national side.

Despite the late setback, the UAE has secured qualification to the next round of AFC play-offs, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in October.

In the group’s other fixture, Uzbekistan delivered a statement performance, defeating Qatar 3-0 at home. The result saw Uzbekistan top the group with 21 points, while Qatar remained in fourth place on 13 points, also advancing to the play-offs.

Later today, Group A action continues with Iran (20 points) taking on North Korea, who sit at the bottom of the table with just 3 points.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears of joy after scoring his 138th international goal and helping Portugal lift the UEFA Nations League title in a nail-biting final against Spain in Munich.

The epic showdown between the Iberian rivals ended 2-2 after extra time before Portugal edged out Spain 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Alvaro Morata’s miss proving costly and Ruben Neves calmly slotting the winner to send Portuguese fans into raptures.

“Winning for Portugal is always special,” a visibly emotional Ronaldo told the media. “I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It’s tears. It’s duty done. And a lot of joy.”

The final was billed as a clash of generations: 40-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo vs. Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. And while Yamal struggled to shine, the veteran stepped up when it mattered most.

Spain looked set for another title after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring in the 21st minute. But Portugal hit back just eight minutes later, with Nuno Mendes levelling things up after some slick interplay involving Ronaldo.

Spain regained the lead thanks to a pinpoint pass from Pedri and a composed finish by Mikel Oyarzabal — the same man who netted the winner in last year’s Euro final against England.

But Ronaldo wasn’t done. The Portuguese captain struck again just past the hour mark, pouncing from close range to level the score at 2-2 and send the match into extra time.

Both sides had chances, but the deadlock remained, forcing a penalty shootout. Spain blinked first, with Morata missing his spot-kick, before Ruben Neves sealed it for Portugal.

“Details do make the difference,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “We were doing enough to avoid penalties, but on the night, they were just slightly more effective.”

Ronaldo, who limped off injured late in extra time, watched the shootout from the sidelines — his face etched with nerves. But when Neves struck the winning penalty, tears streamed down his face in one of the most emotional moments of his glittering career.

Portugal are now champions once again, with their legendary No. 7 right at the heart of it all.