The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is generating considerable excitement among soccer fans, as 32 of the world’s top clubs will compete for the coveted title. Among the teams vying for glory is Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain, who recently made it clear to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and the rest of their rivals who the favorites to win the tournament are.
After Kylian Mbappé’s departure at the start of the season, Luis Enrique has managed to transform PSG into one of the world’s elite teams, now poised to play in the UEFA Champions League final. In an exclusive interview with FIFA, the Spanish coach gave his take on which teams are the top contenders for the global competition.
“The favorites, in principle, I believe will mainly be the European teams. I have no doubt that if South American players were still in Brazil, Argentina, or Uruguay, American teams—South American, Central American, even African—would have more chances,” the coach stated. “But it’s clear that European teams have an advantage in that sense, because we have the best from Europe, but also the best from Africa, the Americas, and Asia,” Luis Enrique added.
While Enrique firmly backs European teams, he left the door open for potential surprises: “I can imagine that, logically, European teams are more likely to win this Club World Cup, but football is a sport that doesn’t care about fairness. I think European teams have more chances in that regard. Everyone who’s not European will be upset, but that’s my opinion.”
PSG will compete in Group B, alongside Atlético Madrid, Brazil’s Botafogo, and MLS side Seattle Sounders. Despite the diversity of teams, European clubs are still seen as the front-runners—not just for the tournament title, but also for advancing past the group stage, which could see many clubs from other continents eliminated early.
“Europe is the continent that brings together the most competitive leagues, or at least those where the best players theoretically play, and that will obviously have an impact on the competition. But I believe the Club World Cup can become a major reference point for the future, and I find it very appealing,” concluded the Spanish coach.
Are Inter Miami challenging European dominance?
One of the key questions surrounding the Club World Cup is whether European clubs will continue their dominance or if teams from other continents—like Inter Miami—can upset the balance. In early May, star midfielder Sergio Busquets addressed the challenges his team faces.
“It’s clear that we’re not at the level to compete in the Club World Cup. But we’ll try to compete in the group, take it game by game, fight, and hopefully move on to the next round, although it’s going to be tough, ” Busquets told DAZN in early May.
After Inter Miami’s MLS defeat to Orlando City, Messi spoke about the need for the team to bounce back from its recent slump in order to prepare for the Club World Cup. The Argentine forward’s comments show that he is eager to compete in the tournament despite the challenges ahead. With the competition set to kick off on June 14, European teams are still widely favored, but it remains to be seen if there will be any surprises in what promises to be a thrilling tournament.