The clubs are already positioning themselves for a new era of the Club World Cup, with Monterrey securing a spot in the expanded field that awaits. As the global football calendar evolves, FIFA continues to adjust the tournament’s format, reflecting a broader, more inclusive approach to club competition on the world stage.
In 2025, the Club World Cup will undergo a major transformation. The previous model, which featured a six-team field, will give way to a broader 32-team format. This expansion aims to diversify the lineup by incorporating teams from a wider range of confederations and elevating the tournament’s profile across continents. The new structure aligns with FIFA’s goal of creating a more competitive and globally representative event, played during the summer window rather than in the winter months, which helps fit players’ and teams’ annual schedules more smoothly.
The distribution of berths under the revised plan includes 12 teams from UEFA, 6 from CONMEBOL, 4 from CONCACAF, 4 from the Confederation of African Football, 4 from the Asian Football Confederation, 1 from the Oceania Football Confederation, and one host nation spot. This allocation reflects a balance between traditional European powerhouses and rising clubs from other regions, giving fans a broader set of stories and matchups during the tournament.
Monterrey’s envolvement in the new format follows a recent history of success in regional and international competitions. The team has earned recognition in CONCACAF events and has participated in the Club World Cup in its previous editions, contributing to a growing legacy that supports its inclusion in the expanded edition. Other Concacaf representatives will be determined by the outcomes of the region’s 2023 and 2024 titles, with the plan to crown a new regional champion who will bring experience to the global stage in the 2025 tournament.
Several football powerhouses are already penciled in as participants in the 2025 edition. The lineup includes Chelsea from England, Real Madrid from Spain, Palmeiras from Brazil, Flamengo from Brazil, Al Ahly from Egypt, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, and Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. These clubs bring a mix of European, South American, African, and Asian talent, ensuring a diverse and highly competitive field. Their presence signals the tournament’s intent to feature teams with proven track records in both domestic leagues and continental competitions, delivering high-quality clashes for fans around the world.
As the competition moves toward a broader, more inclusive format, organizers are focusing on logistics, scheduling, and broadcast strategy to ensure wide accessibility. The summer timing is designed to maximize player availability and fan engagement in different markets while avoiding clashes with domestic leagues and other major continental championships. The expanded format also opens opportunities for previously underrepresented clubs to challenge established powers, potentially reshaping the balance of power in world club football over the next decade.
Analysts and fans will be watching closely how the 32-team field will be structured in practice. Questions about group stages, knockout rounds, and the sealing of spots will gradually fade as official details are released. What remains clear is that the expansion elevates the event’s profile, promises more drama, and creates a broader stage for players to showcase their talents to an international audience. For Monterrey and other clubs aiming to rise to the global tier, the 2025 edition represents a pivotal opportunity to cement their status in world football and to compete against a wider array of elite teams from around the world (Goal).