Club World Cup Preview: Bayern Munich

In partnership with

Hooligan Soccer

·3 June 2025

Club World Cup Preview: Bayern Munich

The tenth in our continuing series highlighting all thirty-two clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup, which starts on June 14th.

Club Background

From: Munich, Germany
How They Qualified: UEFA ranking pathway based on Champions League performances.

Best CWC Finish: Have been to the Cup twice and won the Cup twice (2013, 2020). They are the only club with a perfect winning record.
Recent Form: Won the Bundesliga this year. Eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter finals by Inter Milan by an aggregate score of 4 – 3.
Facts: Founded in 1900 57% of the team are from outside Germany. Scored 99 goals in the Bundesliga season. An average of 2.9 per game. They only conceded 32, and had 16 shutouts. Among the world’s most successful soccer clubs, with dozens of trophies, and tournament wins to their name.

The Team

Manager: Vincent Kompany Kompany replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager in the summer of 2024. He won the Bundesliga in his first season. Prior to coaching, he was a world-class center back for Manchester City and the Belgian national team.
Star Players: Harry Kane Prolific English striker. Had 38g/11a over 46 games this season. Joshua Kimmich German midfielder and creative architect. Michael Olise Dangerous attacking winger with 17g/18a in 50 games. Manuel Neuer He’s 39 and not quite as agile as he was a decade ago, but the legendary “sweeper keeper” should stand tall between the posts. He had 17 clean sheets in 35 games this season, a very good percentage.
Young Players to Watch: Jamal Musiala 22 year-old German attacking midfielder. 18g/5a in 40 games. Adam Aznou Highly regarded 19 year-old defensive prospect who excelled in the UEFA youth league.

When to Watch

12:00pm ET on Jun 15, 2025 vs. Auckland City FC @ TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
9:00pm ET on Jun 20, 2025 vs. Boca Juniors @ Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
3:00pm ET on Jun 24, 2025 vs. SL Benfica @ Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

The Hooligan Take

The perfect record Bayern brings into this tournament doesn’t mean squat. Their 2013 and 2020 teams were stacked two deep with talent, and they did not have this new format to contend with. The good news is Group C should be relatively to advance out of. The bigger question is can they repeat their perfect record? Their elimination from Champions League and early clinch of the German title means they’ll be rested and ready. There is the open question of whether Thomas Müller will be on the squad come June 14. His contract is over at the end of the month.