The curtain has fallen on the opening round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held for the first time in history with 32 participating teams under a revamped format closely resembling the FIFA World Cup for national teams. The United States is hosting the prestigious tournament from June 14 to July 13, 2025.

Players’ Entrance Gets a Makeover
In a first-of-its-kind change, the traditional group walk-in of players was replaced with individual entries, similar to basketball introductions. This eye-catching innovation added a new theatrical flair to the tournament's atmosphere.
Referee Body Cameras Offer Immersive Perspective
For the first time, FIFA introduced body cameras on field referees, giving fans an unprecedented on-pitch perspective. Selected footage was broadcast live, providing viewers with insights into the game through the eyes of the officials.
Substitutions Go Digital
Player substitutions are now handled entirely via team-specific tablets, replacing the old paper-based system. This upgrade streamlined substitution processes and reinforced FIFA’s commitment to digital transformation in football operations.

Massive Fan Attendance and Global Buzz
Over 550,000 spectators attended the first 16 matches across U.S. host cities. The match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid topped attendance charts with 80,619 fans. Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal followed with 62,415 spectators, while the opening clash between Egypt’s Al Ahly and Inter Miami drew 60,927 fans.
Dominance of South American Clubs
South American teams impressed with an unbeaten run in the opening round. All six clubs representing the continent avoided defeat, despite facing top teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America — showcasing their strength and readiness on the global stage.
Rare Timekeeping Rule Enforced
History was made when South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns faced Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea. The referee awarded a corner to Ulsan after Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams delayed play for over eight seconds — a seldom-used rule enforced clearly and publicly for the first time in a major FIFA tournament.
Weather Disruptions
Unfavorable weather conditions impacted several matches. The Sundowns–Ulsan clash was delayed from its original kickoff, while Auckland City vs. RB Salzburg was suspended for more than 45 minutes due to a severe thunderstorm.

Mixed Fortunes for Arab and African Teams
African and Arab clubs had a varied start. Sundowns earned the continent’s only win, while Al Ahly drew goalless with Inter Miami. Wydad Casablanca and Espérance de Tunis suffered losses. Al Hilal salvaged a valuable point with a draw against Real Madrid, while Al Ain endured a crushing 5-0 defeat to Juventus — one of the most striking results of the round.