Club World Cup 2025 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREDICTIONS
Get expert predictions for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, including group stage outcomes, knockout drama, and a possible City vs PSG final in New Jersey.
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- June 28, 2025
As the footballing world sets its sights on the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, pundits and fans alike are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling tournament featuring champions from across the globe. From Manchester City and Real Madrid to Palmeiras, Al Hilal, and Inter Miami, this expanded Club World Cup is packed with star power, tactical clashes, and the dream of global dominance.
In a recent breakdown on Morning Footy, football analysts dove deep into their predictions—group by group—before tackling the knockout stage, culminating in a high-stakes final between European and South American juggernauts.
Group Stage Predictions: Big Names Expected to Cruise
Here’s how the analysts saw the group stage shaking out:
Group A: Palmeiras and Al Ahly were tipped to advance, with P United and others falling short. Palmeiras, Brazilian champions, were seen as too strong technically and tactically.
Group B: No surprises—Bayern Munich were predicted to dominate, with Benfica narrowly edging through to second place.
Group C: Chelsea to top the group, followed by Flamengo. Despite inconsistencies, Chelsea’s depth and recent performances earned them the nod.
Group D: Inter Milan and River Plate were both expected to go through, with Inter’s growing momentum underlined after their gritty group performances.
Group E: A straightforward call—Manchester City and Mamelodi Sundowns were tipped to go through, with City barely breaking a sweat.
Group F: No doubt here either. Real Madrid and Pachuca were predicted to advance, with Madrid growing under Xabi Alonso’s direction.
Round of 16: Clash of Titans Begins
Once into the knockouts, the predictions became more dramatic:
Palmeiras vs. Botafogo: A fiery Brazilian derby, but Palmeiras’ depth and form saw them tipped to edge out their domestic rivals.
Benfica vs. Chelsea: Despite respect for Benfica’s tradition, Chelsea were the favorites, with Ángel Di María likely playing his last dance on a big stage.
Inter Milan vs. Fluminense: Inter’s hunger and energy saw them through in this one, with pundits pointing to their intensity in the final group game as a key factor.
Manchester City vs. Al Hilal: A no-brainer. City’s class, depth, and motivation—especially after falling short last year—made them overwhelming favorites.
Quarterfinals: Blue Giants and Brazilian Flair
Palmeiras vs. Chelsea: One of the more surprising predictions—Palmeiras were expected to defeat Chelsea. The analysts believed Brazilian football is “back” and this win would be a signal of that resurgence.
Manchester City vs. Inter Milan: Despite Inter’s passion, City’s ruthless efficiency and tactical dominance under Guardiola were simply too much. A 2–0 scoreline was forecasted, with City barely letting Inter breathe.
PSG vs. Inter Miami: The Messi Derby that wasn’t. While Inter Miami could bring excitement, PSG’s firepower and structure would see them advance easily. The pundits joked about Noah Allen scoring, but even that wouldn’t be enough.
Bayern Munich vs. Flamengo: Though Flamengo have heart, Bayern’s mentality in this competition was highlighted as elite. They were tipped to move on.
Dortmund vs. Monterrey: An upset was called here—Monterrey to edge out Dortmund, who showed defensive vulnerabilities in their group games, especially against Juventus.
Real Madrid vs. Juventus: A close one on paper, but Madrid’s tactical maturity under Xabi Alonso made them the favorites.
Semifinals: Brazil, Europe, and Everything In Between
On one side of the bracket:
Palmeiras vs. Manchester City: The romantic underdog story ends here. City’s strength across the pitch would overwhelm the Brazilian side. Score prediction: 2–0 for City.
On the other side:
PSG vs. Real Madrid: A clash of giants. Despite Real Madrid’s pedigree, PSG’s cohesion, depth, and motivation were cited as reasons they’d come out on top—a 3–2 thriller was forecasted.
The Grand Final: Manchester City vs. PSG
The dream final.
On American soil, in the great state of New Jersey, two of the sport’s wealthiest, most ambitious clubs would battle it out. Both sides are loaded with global stars and tactical innovation.
In the end, the prediction favored Manchester City, with a 2–1 win over PSG.
Analysts noted City’s hunger to right the wrongs of last year, the depth of their squad, and their rotation ability in the group stage. Players like Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, and Rodri were quietly dominating the midfield without needing to push every match. Pep Guardiola’s focus was apparent—and his side looked built to go all the way.
Final Thoughts: The Modern Football Final
“This is the modern football final,” said one analyst. “UAE vs. Qatar, funded by Saudi Arabia, played in the USA. That’s global football in 2025.”
Whether you agree with the picks or not, one thing is certain: the 2025 Club World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting international club tournaments we’ve ever seen. With giants from every continent, tactical surprises, and the allure of the beautiful game on American soil, fans are in for a wild ride.
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