EXPLAINER
With 12 out of the 16 through, what do Real Madrid and Inter Milan need? Who else can qualify? Al Jazeera explains.
All teams at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 have played at least two games each and 12 clubs have now booked their spots in the tournament’s round of 16.
Famous clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester City are among those to clinch qualification, but the likes of European giants Real Madrid and Inter Milan still need a final push to seal a place in the knockouts.
Al Jazeera Sport explains which teams are in and which are out, while breaking down the scenarios under which some of the comparatively smaller clubs could squeeze through.
Which teams are in the Club World Cup round of 16?
With two wins out of two and six points in the bag, these five clubs can breathe easy:
- Botafogo
- PSG
- Inter Miami
- Palmeiras
- Bayern Munich
- Flamengo
- Manchester City
- Juventus
- Benfica
- Chelsea
Which teams have been knocked out of the Club World Cup?
The journey has ended for these clubs:
- Auckland City
- Los Angeles FC
- Urawa Red Diamonds
- Ulsan HD
- Wydad AC
- Al Ain
- Pachuca
- Atletico Madrid
- Seattle Sounders
- FC Porto
- Al Ahly
- ES Tunis
- Boca Juniors
What are the tie-breaker rules being used in the Club World Cup?
In case of a tie on points, the teams progressing to the knockouts will be determined on a set of tie-breakers. Should the first step result in another tie, the next tie-breaker will be employed until a winner is decided. These steps are:
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- Head-to-head winner between the tied teams
- Head-to-head goal difference between the tied teams
- Head-to-head goals scored between the tied teams
- Disciplinary points (yellow and red cards)
- Drawing of lots
What results do Real Madrid and Inter Milan need to progress?
- Real Madrid: With four points from their first two games – like RB Salzburg – Real sit on top of Group H by edging Salzburg on goal difference. A win against the Austrian team in their final group game will send the Spanish giants through. A draw and a win for Al Hilal over Pachuca will leave all three teams on five points apiece, bringing the tie-break rules into play to determine the top two sides.
- Inter Milan: The UEFA Champions League runners up were held by Mexican opponents Monterrey in their first game but beat a resilient Urawa Reds side to bag their first win in Group E. Inter face group toppers (on goal difference) River Plate in their last game, where a win would make either side the group leaders, but a draw could bring in a tie-break scenario should Monterrey thrash Urawa in their final game.
Can Al Hilal, Mamelodi Sundowns and Monterrey still qualify for the knockouts?
Yes, all three clubs have at least two points from their first two games, giving them a promising shot at qualification.
Al Hilal and Monterrey also have two points from their two drawn games. The Saudi club face the ousted Mexican side Pachuca for a chance to score a big win and then hope that their superior goal difference can see them through, irrespective of the result in the other Group H game. Monterrey are in the same boat and will have the same requirements from their game against Urawa.
The Sundowns have lit up the Club World Cup with their skills and colourful celebrations, but it will not be fun and games when they play Brazil’s Fluminense for a chance to qualify. A win, resulting in six points, will be enough for the South African club, but a draw, leading to four points, might kick them out as German giants Borussia Dortmund, on four points, are highly unlikely to lose against Ulsan in their last Group F match.
Which other teams still have a chance to enter the round of 16?
- Fluminense
- Borussia Dortmund
- River Plate
- RB Salzburg
