The Club World Cup returns this summer with its most ambitious edition yet. Set across 11 U.S. cities, this year’s tournament will feature 32 teams from every corner of the globe and an unprecedented number of footballing superstars. From Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to Sergio Ramos and Antoine Griezmann, the month-long spectacle is a showcase of global football at its finest—and a glimpse of how the sport is evolving off the pitch as well.
Big names, big stage
When the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States, fans won’t have to wait long for the fireworks. Inter Miami, the MLS side that qualified controversially by virtue of winning the Supporters’ Shield rather than the actual league play-offs, will open the tournament with one of the most star-studded squads on display. Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, headlines a familiar Barcelona reunion in pink, joined by ex-teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
They’re far from the only household names set to light up the competition. Sergio Ramos will captain Mexican giants Monterrey, bringing World Cup-winning pedigree and La Liga experience to the CONCACAF region’s challenge. Across the border in Los Angeles, France’s 2018 World Cup duo Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris will represent LAFC, who earned their place via a dramatic play-off win over Club América.
European football royalty will also be present in force. Real Madrid brings with it a loaded squad featuring Kylian Mbappe—now donning the famous white shirt—and England’s Jude Bellingham. Atletico Madrid counters with Antoine Griezmann and a returning Cesar Azpilicueta, while Bayern Munich will boast England captain Harry Kane.
England stars in for a hectic summer
For England’s top players, the tournament adds yet another layer to an already crowded calendar. Following two early June internationals—a 1-0 win over Andorra and a 3-1 loss to Senegal—many now shift their focus stateside. Kane and Bellingham, fresh from national duty, will turn out for Bayern and Madrid respectively. Joining them is Conor Gallagher at Atletico and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently made headlines by joining Real Madrid in an £8.4m move ahead of his Liverpool contract’s expiry.
Chelsea fans will also be keeping a close eye on the Club World Cup. Cole Palmer, Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Noni Madueke are all in the squad, just weeks after lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy. Manchester City’s contingent includes Phil Foden, John Stones, and Rico Lewis, though Jack Grealish is absent amid speculation about his future.
Between mid-tournament squad expansion rules and packed domestic seasons, many players will need to strike a delicate balance between performance and recovery in what could be a defining summer.
European giants lead the charge
Twelve of the 32 teams hail from Europe, selected based on their performances in UEFA competitions over the past five seasons. Chelsea qualified after winning the Champions League in 2021, with Manchester City following suit in 2023. Despite a strong showing in Europe this year, Liverpool and Arsenal miss out, reminding everyone that pedigree alone doesn’t guarantee entry.
As expected, the European clubs arrive with enviable talent pools. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan bring not just current stars but also familiar faces from the Premier League era. Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Julian Alvarez (Atletico), and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Inter) are just a few names that English fans will recognize. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s squad blends youth with experience, fielding Jobe Bellingham—Jude’s younger brother—and Chelsea loanee Carney Chukwuemeka.
Dortmund will be missing Emre Can due to injury, but boast midfield reinforcements including Pascal Gross and Marcel Sabitzer. Bayern Munich, alongside Kane, includes Premier League alumni Michael Olise and Leroy Sane, both of whom add pace and creativity in wide areas.
Familiar faces, new territories
The global format of the Club World Cup offers a unique chance for fans to reconnect with past Premier League stars now playing across the world. Manchester United supporters may take interest in Boca Juniors’ squad, which includes ex-Reds Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, and Edinson Cavani. Meanwhile, Alex Telles is now plying his trade at Botafogo in Brazil, and Guillermo Varela lines up for Flamengo.
In Brazil’s domestic scene, former Chelsea captain Thiago Silva has returned to Fluminense, while West Ham faithful can follow Felipe Anderson (Palmeiras) and Manuel Lanzini (River Plate). Elsewhere, Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon, a cult hero at West Brom and Newcastle, features for Mexico’s Pachuca, and Ryan Kent—who had spells at Liverpool, Bristol City, and Rangers—now plays for Seattle Sounders in MLS.
This wide distribution of talent is a testament to the game’s increasing globalization and the growing influence of North and South American clubs in attracting top-tier experience.
No Ronaldo, but plenty of stardust
One conspicuous absence from the star-studded affair is Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Nassr, his Saudi Arabian club, failed to qualify after falling short in the AFC Champions League. Instead, the lone Saudi representative is Al-Hilal, winner of the 2021 edition of that competition.
Still, Al-Hilal’s squad brings its own shine. Former Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo headlines a team that also includes Premier League veterans Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Renan Lodi, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Their blend of experience and flair should make them a formidable opponent—even in a field packed with European powerhouses.
A new era for the Club World Cup
This expanded edition of the Club World Cup feels like a new chapter in international club football. With 32 teams, flexible squad registration rules, and a summer slot in the global calendar, FIFA is clearly testing the waters for a tournament that could one day rival the UEFA Champions League in global appeal.
From Messi to Mbappe, from derby days to dream debuts, this summer’s Club World Cup is set to be more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of football’s growing global reach and interconnectedness. Whether you’re cheering for a hometown hero or watching a legend’s last dance, the stage is set for a memorable month of football in America.
