🔮 OneFootball predicts the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 🌎 | OneFootball

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is almost upon us, and anticipation is building for the big kick-off this weekend.

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Ahead of this historic, first-of-its-kind tournament, OneFootball's global newsroom have made some predictions.

Let's go!

Which club are you most excited to watch at the Club World Cup?

Alex Mott 🇬🇧 Despite all the big names heading to the United States this summer, it’s Auckland City that intrigues me most at this year’s tournament. The New Zealand side are the only non-professionals at the Club World Cup and have been drawn in a ridiculously tough group alongside Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Benfica.

Leo Urnauer 🇧🇷 I really think the Brazilian teams could be a surprise, especially Flamengo and Palmeiras, who have strong teams. Since they're in the middle of their season, I believe they might have a physical advantage over the Europeans which can be a key factor.

Lucas Hybord 🇫🇷 Al Ahly, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders, ES Tunis, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Sundowns and many more… For one good reason: I never watch them play! I’m excited to discover some new players, new logos, new jerseys!

Alejandro Diago 🇪🇸 All of them. It’s the first time the best clubs will match up in a competition like this, and it’s going to be so exciting. For sure, Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso will be one of the focuses of the tournament. But the chance of watching top teams from all over the world is going to be unique.

Matteo Rimoldi 🇮🇹 Watching Messi's Inter Miami take on the world's best teams or Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal is certainly interesting, but I can't wait to see how competitive Franco Mastantuono's River Plate will be. The 17-year-old has already proven to be a leader despite his young age, but having the eyes of his future club (Real Madrid) on him can be another challenge.

José Ignacio Araoz 🇦🇷 I'm excited to see South American clubs compete against European ones to see if there's that much difference, perhaps between the two continents that play the best football: Boca Juniors and River Plate, with their mystique, and Brazil, with its great capital.

Lennard Bacher 🇩🇪 Honestly, I'm actually looking forward to almost all of them. It will be very exciting to see how the South American giants fare against the top European teams. At the same time, I'm also very curious to see where the Mexican and African teams stand in terms of quality. If I had to name one team, it would definitely be Boca Juniors.

Andrew Thompson 🇺🇸 As an American, the chance to have clubs cross the pond is always exciting, and despite some gargantuan names featuring in the tournament, it has to be Wydad AC. As Moroccan football makes continuous strides, it’ll be fun to watch a domestic giant clash with top sides in the game.

Which player are you most excited to watch at the Club World Cup?

📸 NELSON ALMEIDA - AFP or licensors

Alex Mott 🇬🇧 He’s the hottest prospect in European football right now and this summer could be when Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué goes truly global. The France international was sensational in the Champions League final only a few weeks ago and will surely light up the Club World Cup as well.

Leo Urnauer 🇧🇷 Some European football stars will certainly shine, like Kane, Mbappé, Vinícius, and Haaland. But I’m curious to see how Estêvão will perform in his first matches against European teams - before joining Chelsea.

Lucas Hybord 🇫🇷 Rayan Cherki. After a couple of years of showing a glimpse of his talent, he eventually proved this season he could be a joy to watch AND very efficient. 12 goals and 20 assists in a struggling Lyon side is a huge performance. Can’t wait to see him under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.

Alejandro Diago 🇪🇸 Many of them. The list of world class players that will play this tournament is huge. Jamal Musiala, Kylian Mbappé, Désiré Doué… it’s going to be a very interesting event.

Matteo Rimoldi 🇮🇹 Palmeiras is perhaps in the most balanced group of the Club World Cup and I can't wait to see Estêvão's last dance. He will move to Chelsea once the tournament is over: it may be his last chance to shine with the Brazilians.

José Ignacio Araoz 🇦🇷 I could choose many, but I'll mention Jobe Bellingham. What I've seen at Sunderland has amazed me, and now he could grow even further at Dortmund.

Lennard Bacher 🇩🇪 This might be a bit common sense, but the choice has to be Estêvão. If he brings his qualities to the pitch, it could be a real treat to watch.

Andrew Thompson 🇺🇸 Estêvão for me. Tournaments like these give a great chance for young players to be exposed to a certain level, plus, who doesn’t love some Brazilian flair?

Can you give me a young player to watch from your country who the world might not know about yet?

📸 ALEJANDRO PAGNI - AFP or licensors

Alex Mott 🇬🇧 English players have, generally, not been great outside of the British Isles so it’s going to be fascinating to see how Jobe Bellingham gets on at Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old is the younger sibling of Real Madrid’s Jude and the two could well face each other in the knockout stages if all goes to plan.

Leo Urnauer 🇧🇷 I would highlight three players: Estêvão from Palmeiras, obviously, as his name is already known in Europe due to the fee Chelsea paid to sign him. After a magical year in 2024, he’s been a bit inconsistent in 2025. And Flamengo’s right-back Wesley seems to me like a player who will soon be at a top European club. The Colombian Jhon Arias who plays for Fluminense is also a very interesting player that will prove that he has the skill to play against the biggest teams in the world.

Alejandro Diago 🇪🇸 First of all, Dean Huijsen. He’s the biggest prospect for Spain at the centre back and one of the biggest signings of Real Madrid for this season. I’m very curious to see how much potential he has and how it feels for him to play in a world-class scenario.

Lucas Hybord 🇫🇷 I could talk about Désiré Doué, but he made himself a (big) name in the last Champions League final, so everyone knows him now. I’ll pick Senny Mayulu, 19, who actually scored the last PSG goal during that final and played 20 games this season. He’s an elegant number 8 who could play a role at the CWC if Luis Enrique decides to rest his stars. I have to mention Andrey Santos too. He’s not French, but the young Brazilian played an amazing season at Strasbourg in Ligue 1, where he was on loan from Chelsea. He’s now back with the Blues to play the CWC, and I’m sure he will play his part at the club.

Matteo Rimoldi 🇮🇹 I think Nicolò Savona can do well at the Club World Cup. In recent months there has been talk of interest from Manchester City, but he has just renewed with Juventus until 2030, which means he is a central player. The starting place on the right wing should be his.

José Ignacio Araoz 🇦🇷 While his Real Madrid rumours have put him on the international scene, this will be a great competition for the world to see Franco Mastantuono up close. The River Plate player is the greatest Argentine talent of recent years. Everyone expects him to reach the level of big names like Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, and Alexis Mac Allister.

Lennard Bacher 🇩🇪 If he gets the chance to prove himself as the number one, I'd definitely keep an eye on Bayern Munich's Jonas Urbig. The goalkeeper was already considered an absolute top talent during his time at 1. FC Köln and, if everything goes well, could ultimately take over Manuel Neuer's huge legacy in just a few years.

Andrew Thompson 🇺🇸 I would probably go with Benjamin Cremaschi here. Still just 20, he regularly features for Inter Miami and operates with maturity in central spaces while boasting creativity, good awareness when on the ball, and is good going forward. Most expect him to eventually make his way to Europe at some point.

Who is your prediction for Player of the Tournament?

📸 Denis Doyle - 2025 Getty Images

Alex Mott 🇬🇧 With Xabi Alonso now in charge of Real Madrid, don’t be surprised if Kylian Mbappé impresses in a post-season for the third time in his career.

Leo Urnauer 🇧🇷 Mbappé.

Lucas Hybord 🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembélé will shine in the USA to get closer to the Ballon d’Or he deserves, while Lamine Yamal is on holiday.

Alejandro Diago 🇪🇸 I think it’ll be either Kylian Mbappé or Vinicius Jr. Both of them want their revenge after a dull season with Real Madrid, and this scenario seems the best to get back in the spotlight.

Matteo Rimoldi 🇮🇹 Mbappé has shown that he can handle the pressure at Real Madrid despite not reaching the long-awaited Champions League. The numbers speak for themselves and the arrival of Xabi Alonso can help him become even more decisive.

José Ignacio Araoz 🇦🇷 All roads lead to Kylian Mbappé. After his first season of adaptation at Real Madrid and with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, this should be his competition.

Lennard Bacher 🇩🇪 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will crown his outstanding season at the Club World Cup and show the world once again that "Kvaradona" is not just a nice nickname.

Andrew Thompson 🇺🇸 Coming on a high from their success in the Champions League and his starring role in the final, I’ll give a shout to Désiré Doué.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

📸 Johannes Simon - 2025 Getty Images

Alex Mott 🇬🇧 Harry Kane is often the man for the big occasion and with Bayern Munich one of the favourites to go deep, I can see the English man topping the scorer charts here.

Leo Urnauer 🇧🇷 Harry Kane.

Lucas Hybord 🇫🇷 Erling Haaland. He lost Kevin De Bruyne to assist him, but with Cherki, Doku and Marmoush, he has enough providers.

Alejandro Diago 🇪🇸 Ousmane Dembélé. He’s completed an amazing season and I think we’ll see more of his talent in the USA.

Matteo Rimoldi 🇮🇹 Haaland for me is a serious candidate to win the Golden Shoe. Manchester City is hungry for revenge after a disappointing season and the Club World Cup can be the right opportunity to return to victory immediately.

José Ignacio Araoz 🇦🇷 I'm going to be very optimistic: Guirassy. Dortmund will go far with Kovač, and Serhou was already the Champions League's top scorer.

Lennard Bacher 🇩🇪 Given that I think Bayern can easily score eight goals or more against Auckland, there's probably no way around Harry Kane.

Andrew Thompson 🇺🇸 Harry Kane. Easily the best goalscorer in the whole tournament and could have a monster tally in the group stage off the bat.

And finally, who will win the 2025 Club World Cup?

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors

Alex Mott 🇬🇧 I think the New Manager Bounce will help Real Madrid earn Xabi Alonso his first trophy as Los Blancos boss.

Leo Urnauer 🇧🇷 I think Real Madrid will do everything they can to win this competition after their loss to Arsenal in the Champions League. With Mbappé and new signings like Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso, they’ll look strong in the coming weeks. PSG are the reigning European champions, so they’re definitely one of the favourites too.

Lucas Hybord 🇫🇷 PSG or Manchester City. I’d go with PSG. It feels like winning the Champions League wasn’t the end but only the beginning for them.

Alejandro Diago 🇪🇸 Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso wants to start his era as a champion, and I think he’ll get his first title.

Matteo Rimoldi 🇮🇹 I think Manchester City will win: a desire for revenge and a desire to return to victory immediately may be the right ingredients for the perfect recipe.

José Ignacio Araoz 🇦🇷 Real Madrid is the number one candidate following Xabi Alonso's arrival. However, I wouldn't rule out PSG.

Lennard Bacher 🇩🇪 Even though I have a lot of faith in the Argentinian and Brazilian teams, I believe that PSG will continue to ride the wave and grab this trophy as well.

Andrew Thompson 🇺🇸 PSG. Real Madrid will have some teething periods under Alonso, and City will have to bed in some new faces, while the French giants can take one more step in the aftermath of their UCL triumph.

📸 Orlando Ramirez - 2025 Getty Images