FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Underdogs Upset Giants as Expanded Format Delivers Surprises and Challenges

As the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 advances toward the Round of 16, the revamped tournament has already delivered several compelling narratives. From an expanded field of teams to a redesigned trophy, multiple host cities, and the introduction of referee cameras, this edition in the United States is mirroring the scale and excitement of the quadrennial World Cup.

Organizers have hailed the event as "a celebration of hope, excellence, and pride," underscoring the shared passion uniting clubs, players, and fans. With numerous debutants and the tournament now spanning a month, the competition's prestige has significantly increased.

Featuring teams from all six confederations – including 12 from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 each from Africa, Asia, and North/Central America and the Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and the host nation representative – the 2025 lineup is complete.

With the group stage concluded and the final 16 teams determined, this year's Club World Cup has produced its share of unexpected results, David vs. Goliath encounters, and intense moments, both on and off the field.

Auckland City's Unlikely Stand

Auckland City, ranked 4,971st in the Opta Power Rankings, entered the Club World Cup as the lowest-ranked participant. They were drawn into a group with Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. It’s crucial to understand that Auckland City's squad consists of amateurs who compete in New Zealand's Northern League, a competition with only 12 teams.

Auckland began their campaign with a harsh 0-10 defeat to Bayern Munich – the largest margin of victory in the tournament thus far – followed by a 0-6 loss to Benfica.

Facing Argentinian powerhouse Boca Juniors in their final match, already eliminated and with nothing to lose, Auckland City defied expectations. In a classic underdog story, they denied Boca Juniors a place in the Round of 16, holding them to a 1-1 draw. The result was made even more remarkable considering the 4,819-point gap in rankings between the two teams and Boca's storied history.

Messi and Inter Miami Surge into the Round of 16

Drawn alongside formidable opponents like Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were initially predicted to struggle. However, the Argentine maestro, supported by Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, guided his team to a second-place finish in Group A, securing their spot in the Round of 16.

Despite securing only one victory, it proved sufficient for qualification. Following a draw against Al Ahly in their opening match, Miami faced Portuguese giants Porto. In what appeared to be a daunting challenge, Messi's brilliance, highlighted by a stunning free kick, propelled Miami to a 2-1 win. A 2-2 draw against Brazil's Palmeiras in their final group game confirmed their place in the next round.

A Club World Cup Filled with Tension

Tensions flared on the final matchday of Group E, as River Plate needed a win against Inter Milan to advance to the Round of 16. Inter, however, thwarted their ambitions. The final whistle sparked a confrontation between River's Marcos Acuna and Inter's Denzel Dumfries, requiring intervention from both teams and their staff. The rivalry, which began three years prior, saw Acuna taunt Dumfries with a shin guard displaying the 2022 World Cup trophy logo, a reminder of Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in a heated quarter-final decided by penalties.

The tournament also faced challenges due to extreme heat, with teams resorting to ice baths and cold towels for their players. Borussia Dortmund took extra measures, having substitutes watch their game against Mamelodi Sundowns from the locker room to shield them from the scorching conditions, which their coach likened to a 'sauna'. Thunderstorms and lightning caused delays in at least five matches.

In addition to weather-related concerns, the presence of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) marked a first for the tournament. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were also involved, requiring non-citizens to provide proof of legal status to attend games.

Concerns Arise Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, less than a year away, this tournament has exposed several potential issues. From substandard pitch conditions to extreme heat and weather, the competition has not been without its challenges.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham criticized the pitch quality, stating, "The pitches aren’t great here. The pitches aren’t great at all," following his team's match against Pachuca at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Familiar Powerhouses Still Reign

Despite the emergence of underdog stories, the tournament continues to be dominated by European giants. Teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City remain strong contenders for the title. Five teams – Seattle Sounders, Urawa Reds, Ulsan, Wydad AC, and Pachuca – were eliminated without earning a single point.