Football | Club World Cup Preview

Who's excited for another summer of football?

Let's have a closer look at those involved in this summer's Club World Cup.

Author | Jamie P

The Club World Cup returns this summer, and this year's edition is set to be the biggest yet, with a wealth of global footballing talent on show.

Thirty-two teams from across the world will compete in the expanded tournament, which will be staged in 11 cities across the United States. The month-long event begins at 01:00 BST on Sunday and concludes on 13 July.

There will be little delay before some of the sport's most recognisable names take to the pitch, with squads now finalised ahead of the opening matches.

Inter Miami, somewhat fortuitous in their inclusion after winning Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record, kick off proceedings on day one. LA Galaxy, who went on to lift the MLS Cup in the play-offs, were notably omitted.

The superstars returning to the spotlight to face the European giants

Lionel Messi, winner of a record eight Ballons d’Or, heads a star-studded quartet of former Barcelona teammates at Inter Miami, alongside Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Sergio Ramos, who helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010, captains Monterrey, while France’s 2018 World Cup heroes Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris are part of the Los Angeles FC squad, having secured their place with a play-off win over Club América.

The French stars looking to become World Champions again

An interesting discussion ESPN about Real Madrid and the Club World Cup youtu.be/YkK0-eYwgqo?...

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— Super News Affiliate (@sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social) 12 June 2025 at 21:15

Other World Cup winners, including Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, feature for Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid respectively. Very few players will ever the accolade of being World champions at club and international level. 

New faces for the Premier League sides

Supporters of the two English clubs involved won’t have to wait long to catch a first glimpse of their summer signings. Manchester City have named Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki in their squad, while Chelsea’s summer signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr are also set to feature.

It will be interesting to see the impact that new players will have on Chelsea and City. Will new faces freshen things up for them after another busy season?

Is there too much football?

The recent friendly between England and Senegal

It looks set to be a hectic summer for several key figures in the England squad.

The Three Lions played twice in June, edging Andorra to a 1-0 win in a World Cup qualifier in Barcelona on 7 June before suffering a 3-1 defeat against Senegal in a friendly at Nottingham Forest three days later. That match at the City Ground came just four days before the Club World Cup begins.

England captain Harry Kane, along with midfielders Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher, will take part in the tournament representing Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Real Madrid will have Trent Alexander-Arnold available after signing the England right-back from Liverpool for £8.4 million. The deal was completed a month before his contract at Anfield was due to expire.

Chelsea’s England quartet Cole Palmer, Reece James, Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke will be involved in the tournament too. Their season ended with victory in the Conference League final on 28 May.

Manchester City will be represented by Phil Foden, John Stones and Rico Lewis. Jack Grealish has been left out of the squad as uncertainty remains over his future at the club.