The wait is finally over! The highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has officially kicked off, ushering in a thrilling new era of global club football. With its expanded 32-team format, this tournament is set to redefine intercontinental rivalries and showcase the world's elite clubs on an unprecedented scale. The official draw has concluded, and the pathways to glory are now crystal clear, promising immediate fireworks from the very first whistle.
Indeed, the excitement peaks with a truly compelling Group D clash happening today, Monday, June 16, 2025, between European giant Chelsea FC and North American powerhouse Los Angeles FC (LAFC). This isn't just a match; it's a statement.
This post will detail the confirmed group stage fixtures of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, providing a focused look at Chelsea's and LAFC's schedules, highlighting other key matchups across various groups, and outlining the structured path through the knockout rounds to the ultimate final.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Tournament Snapshot
This truly is football's next frontier in club competition. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
- Expanded Format: A groundbreaking shift from the traditional 7-team setup to a massive 32-team format, bringing together champions and top-ranked clubs from all six FIFA confederations.
- Dates & Host: The tournament runs for almost a month, from June 15 to July 13, 2025, exclusively hosted across various world-class venues in the United States.
- Group Stage Overview: The 32 teams are divided into 8 groups of 4 teams. Each team plays every other team in its group once. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination Round of 16, making every group stage match critical.
The Draw Revealed: Group D and the Chelsea vs. LAFC Showdown
The draw delivered immediate drama, none more so than in Group D, which promises to be one of the tournament's most hotly contested.
Group D Composition:
- Chelsea FC (England - UEFA Champions League Winner 2021)
- Los Angeles FC (USA - CONCACAF Champions Cup Winner 2023)
- Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Brazil - CONMEBOL Libertadores Winner 2022)
- Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia - CAF Ranked Qualifier)
The Headliner: Chelsea vs. LAFC – Happening TODAY!
- Date & Time: Monday, June 16, 2025, 3:00 PM ET (9:00 PM CEST).
- Venue: The magnificent Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Significance: This is a monumental opening fixture for both clubs. For Chelsea, it's a chance to assert European dominance against a rising CONCACAF power on their home soil. For LAFC, it’s an opportunity to announce their arrival on the global stage against a genuine European giant, setting the tone for their tournament campaign. The clash of tactical styles, physical intensity, and individual brilliance makes this a truly unmissable encounter.
Chelsea's Group Stage Path:
The Blues face a challenging but thrilling journey through Group D:
- Matchday 1: vs. Los Angeles FC (Monday, June 16, 3:00 PM ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
- Matchday 2: vs. Flamengo (Friday, June 20, 2:00 PM ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
- Matchday 3: vs. Espérance de Tunis (Tuesday, June 24, 9:00 PM ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
Chelsea will need to navigate not only the CONCACAF champions in LAFC but also the formidable South American champions Flamengo and a resilient Espérance side from Africa. Their path is fraught with potential upsets and high-quality opposition.
Los Angeles FC's Group Stage Challenge:
As the CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, LAFC represents the host nation's strong contingent and faces an immediate baptism by fire:
- Matchday 1: vs. Chelsea (Monday, June 16, 3:00 PM ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
- Matchday 2: vs. Espérance de Tunis (Friday, June 20, 5:00 PM CDT, Geodis Park, Nashville)
- Matchday 3: vs. Flamengo (Tuesday, June 24, 9:00 PM ET, Camping World Stadium, Orlando)
LAFC will undoubtedly lean on any perceived "home turf advantage," though facing global powerhouses like Chelsea and Flamengo in their backyard will test their mettle to the fullest. Their opening match against Chelsea is arguably the biggest club game in LAFC's history.
Other Must-Watch Group Stage Fixtures:
Beyond Group D, the tournament is packed with potential classics across its 8 groups:
- Group A: Inter Miami CF vs. Al Ahly FC (Sunday, June 15 – already played/playing today, 6:00 PM ET, DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale) – A fascinating clash featuring MLS's newest powerhouse and Africa's most decorated club. Also, Palmeiras vs. Porto (Sunday, June 15, 9:00 PM ET, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando).
- Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid (Sunday, June 15 – already played/playing today, 9:00 PM ET, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City) – A true European heavyweight showdown. Also, Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Sunday, June 15, 6:00 PM ET, Lumen Field, Seattle) offers a compelling North vs. South American battle.
- Group C: Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City (Sunday, June 15 – already played/playing today, 9:00 PM ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough) sees the European giant take on the Oceania representative. Also, Boca Juniors vs. Benfica (Monday, June 16, 6:00 PM ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia) promises a classic South American vs. European rivalry.
- Group F: Fluminense vs. Borussia Dortmund (Wednesday, June 18, 9:00 PM ET, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey) – Another exciting South American vs. European encounter.
- Group G: Manchester City vs. Wydad AC (Wednesday, June 18, 6:00 PM ET, Lumen Field, Seattle) – The reigning European champions begin their campaign. Later, Juventus vs. Manchester City (Thursday, June 26, 9:00 PM ET, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey) promises a blockbuster.
- Group H: Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal (Wednesday, June 18, 9:00 PM ET, NRG Stadium, Houston) – The undisputed kings of Europe face a strong Asian challenger. Also, Real Madrid vs. Red Bull Salzburg (Thursday, June 26, 6:00 PM ET, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas) will be a high-quality affair.
The Road to the Final: Knockout Stage Dates
Once the group stage concludes, the intensity amplifies as the tournament moves into its single-elimination knockout phase:
- Round of 16: Saturday, June 28 - Tuesday, July 1
- Quarter-finals: Friday, July 4 - Saturday, July 5
- Semi-finals: Tuesday, July 8 - Wednesday, July 9
- Final: Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How to Follow the Action:
Don't miss a single moment of this historic tournament:
- Broadcast & Streaming: In the United States, tune into FOX Sports and their affiliated channels (FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes) for comprehensive English-language coverage, and UniMás/TUDN for Spanish-language broadcasts. For international viewers, check FIFA's official website or your local sports networks for broadcast partners in your region. Many platforms will also offer live streaming.
- Ticket Information: While the tournament is already underway, some tickets for later group stage matches and knockout rounds may still be available via official FIFA ticketing portals or venue box offices. Act fast if you want to experience the action live!
- Digital Platforms: Follow FIFA's official social media channels, the FIFA+ app, and your favorite club's social media for real-time updates, highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and expert analysis.
Conclusion:
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has officially kicked off, and the excitement is palpable. With the draw revealing captivating matchups like Chelsea vs. LAFC today, and countless other potential classics throughout the group stage, this tournament promises to deliver non-stop drama and elite-level football. This is a truly groundbreaking global celebration of club football, and the quest for the ultimate world club title has begun. Tune in, support your team, and witness history unfold!