I had the noble, meager goal of kicking out a Club World Cup and Gold Cup preview. Seems simple enough, right?
But we, here, at Castle Black find ourselves in day 8 of our 11-day mother-in-law visit. You might ask yourself, how did I get here?
Well, immediately before my departure for Liverpool a few weeks ago, my wife suggested her mom's visit of like 4 days get extended by a whole week to 11 days. That way she could babysit for an event we needed to go to and be at the kid's Stepping Up ceremony from 3K and be here for the kid's dance recital.
I said this was a great idea entirely because I figured there was like a 5 percent chance the FAA would put the F in FAA and my flight would go down. Figure the return trip too and add in probable alcohol poisoning and customs agents seeing my social media history and there was like at least a 100 percent chance I wouldn't have to face any consequences for saying yes to this bad idea. What could go wrong?
Well, I could make it back.
Again, to be more fair, my mother-in-law is far and away the best of the grandparents. The bar might be low but she is the only one I would trust to keep our kid alive long enough for me to brush my teeth.
But 11 days is A LOT.
Also, on Wednesday of this week we had to put down my wife's dog of 16 years. My dog of 11 years. My kid's dog of her entire life.
It's been... weird. Awful. The right thing. (as I stare at empty food bowls.)
Speaking of weird and awful …
The Club World Cup
You might recall those little December jaunts? The ones where Liverpool (if we were lucky enough to have won the big one, so more likely City) would jet off to Japan or Qatar for a few days, play a couple of games, pick up a shiny bauble, and then get back to the real business of the Premier League? It was usually seven teams – the kings of Europe, South America, and then one from each of the other continents, plus the host's best team. A quick knockout bracket, typically ending with a European vs. South American final, which, let's be honest, often felt a bit... predetermined. "A decent trophy to add to the cabinet, sure, but did anyone really lose sleep over it? Did it feel like a true 'World Cup'?" (Hint: the answer you're driving at is 'no').
Well, FIFA clearly heard our collective shrug, because they've blown it up.
"MORE CASH ... ERR ... MORE FOOTBALL!"
Key Details:
32 Teams (that's 4 times the cash ... football)
Quadrennial (Every Four Years): Not annual anymore. (that's one-fourth the cash !!! ... Errr ... something)
Host: United States, June 14 - July 13, 2025. (where cash was invented)
Where to Watch: For those of us stateside, all 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches will be available to stream on DAZN. (<old man>what in the fuck is DAZN? </old man>) Additionally, TNT, TBS, and TruTV will also air select games. (<old man> so check your current issue of TV Guide </old man>)
The Format:
Group Stage: 8 groups of 4 teams. Single round-robin. Top 2 advance. (Like the World Cup group stage).
Knockout Stage: Round of 16, QF, SF, Final. No third-place playoff (a mercy, perhaps?).
Qualified Teams for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (For those keeping score, or just curious where your favorite giant might pop up, here’s the breakdown by continent and how they got there. Prepare for some familiar names, and a few you might need to Google.)
AFC (Asia - 4 slots)
Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia): Winners of the 2021 AFC Champions League
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan): Winners of the 2022 AFC Champions League
Al Ain (UAE): Winners of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League
Ulsan HD (South Korea): Best-ranked eligible team in the AFC four-year ranking
CAF (Africa - 4 slots)
Al Ahly (Egypt): Winners of the 2020–21 CAF Champions League
Wydad AC (Morocco): Winners of the 2021–22 CAF Champions League
Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia): Best-ranked eligible team in the CAF four-year ranking
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa): Second-best ranked eligible team in the CAF four-year ranking
CONCACAF (North/Central America - 4 slots)
Monterrey (Mexico): Winners of the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Seattle Sounders FC (USA): Winners of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Pachuca (Mexico): Winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Los Angeles FC (USA): Winners of play-in match
CONMEBOL (South America - 6 slots)
Palmeiras (Brazil): Winners of the 2021 Copa Libertadores
Flamengo (Brazil): Winners of the 2022 Copa Libertadores
Fluminense (Brazil): Winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores
Botafogo (Brazil): Winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores
River Plate (Argentina): Best-ranked eligible team in the CONMEBOL four-year ranking
Boca Juniors (Argentina): Second-best ranked eligible team in the CONMEBOL four-year ranking
OFC (Oceania - 1 slot)
Auckland City (New Zealand): Best OFC Champions League winners in the OFC four-year ranking
UEFA (Europe - 12 slots)
Chelsea (England): Winners of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid (Spain): Winners of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League
Manchester City (England): Winners of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League
Bayern Munich (Germany): Best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Paris Saint-Germain (France): Second-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Inter Milan (Italy): Fourth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Porto (Portugal): Fifth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Benfica (Portugal): Seventh-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Borussia Dortmund (Germany): Third-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Juventus (Italy): Eighth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Atlético Madrid (Spain): Sixth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria): Ninth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking
Host (1 slot)
Inter Miami CF (USA): Winners of the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield (And, of course, where there's cash, there's Messi.)
Expert My Analysis
Alright, now that we've covered the what and the how, let's get to the why this thing is both intriguing and, frankly, a bit concerning.
There's two main contenders for this title:
Cash versus Player Welfare
I'm not sure how many matches Inter Milan players might play this year if they win the whole thing, but I think it's roughly a hundred. I know the winning club gets like $100,000,000 but Jesus Christ, this is just too much. Are we asking too much of these players? They're already playing insane schedules for their clubs, for their countries in other tournaments, then they're supposed to give us another month of intense, high-stakes football? Managers have been screaming about player burnout and injuries for years, and this feels like FIFA just put their fingers in their ears and went "LALALA, MORE MONEY!"
I'd love Fenway to get some more scratch in their pocket, especially since they seem to finally be spending on the Reds. But getting $10,000,000 out of Real for us to release Trent early AND we get to rest everyone? Love. To. See. It.
The Calendar Crunch: Group Stage Fixtures (Club World Cup)
Speaking of player welfare, let's look at what these poor souls are actually up against. FIFA has indeed dropped the full group stage schedule, and it's a marathon. For those of you planning your viewing (or your protests), here's how the first round shakes out, day by day. All times are EDT unless noted for West Coast games:
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Group A: Al Ahly FC vs. Inter Miami CF – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens (8:00 PM EDT)
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Group C: FC Bayern München vs. Auckland City FC (12:00 PM EDT)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético de Madrid (12:00 PM PDT / 3:00 PM EDT)
Group A: SE Palmeiras vs. FC Porto (6:00 PM EDT)
Group B: Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders FC (10:00 PM EDT)
Monday, June 16, 2025
Group D: Chelsea FC vs. Los Angeles FC (3:00 PM EDT)
Group C: CA Boca Juniors vs. SL Benfica (6:00 PM EDT)
Group D: CR Flamengo vs. Espérance Sportive de Tunis (9:00 PM EDT)
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Group F: Fluminense FC vs. Borussia Dortmund (12:00 PM EDT)
Group E: CA River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds (3:00 PM EDT)
Group F: Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns FC (6:00 PM EDT)
Group E: CF Monterrey vs. FC Internazionale Milano (9:00 PM EDT)
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Group G: Manchester City vs. Wydad AC (12:00 PM EDT)
Group H: Real Madrid C.F. vs. Al Hilal (3:00 PM EDT)
Group H: CF Pachuca vs. FC Salzburg (6:00 PM EDT)
Group G: Al Ain FC vs. Juventus FC (9:00 PM EDT)
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Group A: SE Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly FC (12:00 PM EDT)
Group A: Inter Miami CF vs. FC Porto (3:00 PM EDT)
Group B: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Atlético de Madrid (6:00 PM EDT)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Botafogo (9:00 PM EDT)
Friday, June 20, 2025
Group C: SL Benfica vs. Auckland City FC (12:00 PM EDT)
Group D: CR Flamengo vs. Chelsea FC (2:00 PM EDT)
Group D: Los Angeles FC vs. Espérance Sportive de Tunis (6:00 PM EDT)
Group C: FC Bayern München vs. CA Boca Juniors (9:00 PM EDT)
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs. Borussia Dortmund (12:00 PM EDT)
Group E: FC Internazionale Milano vs. Urawa Red Diamonds (3:00 PM EDT)
Group F: Fluminense FC vs. Ulsan HD (6:00 PM EDT)
Group E: CA River Plate vs. CF Monterrey – Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena (6:00 PM PDT / 9:00 PM EDT)
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Group G: Juventus FC vs. Wydad AC (12:00 PM EDT)
Group H: Real Madrid C.F. vs. CF Pachuca (3:00 PM EDT)
Group H: FC Salzburg vs. Al Hilal (6:00 PM EDT)
Group G: Manchester City vs. Al Ain FC (9:00 PM EDT)
Monday, June 23, 2025
Group B: Atlético de Madrid vs. Botafogo (3:00 PM PDT / 6:00 PM EDT)
Group B: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Paris Saint-Germain (3:00 PM PDT / 6:00 PM EDT)
Group A: Inter Miami CF vs. SE Palmeiras (9:00 PM EDT)
Group A: FC Porto vs. Al Ahly FC (9:00 PM EDT)
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Group C: Auckland City FC vs. CA Boca Juniors (3:00 PM EDT)
Group C: SL Benfica vs. FC Bayern München (3:00 PM EDT)
Group D: Espérance Sportive de Tunis vs. Chelsea FC (9:00 PM EDT)
Group D: Los Angeles FC vs. CR Flamengo (9:00 PM EDT)
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Group F: Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD (3:00 PM EDT)
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs. Fluminense FC (3:00 PM EDT)
Group E: FC Internazionale Milano vs. CA River Plate ( 9:00 PM EDT)
Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds vs. CF Monterrey (9:00 PM EDT)
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Group G: Wydad AC vs. Al Ain FC (3:00 PM EDT)
Group G: Juventus FC vs. Manchester City (3:00 PM EDT)
Group H: Al Hilal vs. CF Pachuca (9:00 PM EDT)
Group H: FC Salzburg vs. Real Madrid C.F. (9:00 PM EDT)
(The knockout rounds will follow, concluding with the final on July 13th.)
Meanwhile, In CONCACAF: The Gold Cup Rolls On
Alright, if your head wasn't already spinning from the sheer scale of the new Club World Cup, let's just layer on another major international tournament happening concurrently, predominantly in the same host nation. Because why not? FIFA's got their big club show, but CONCACAF, bless their hearts, are also hosting their biennial regional championship, the Gold Cup.
For those of us stateside, the 2025 Gold Cup will be available to watch on FOX, FS1, and FS2. Most games during the group stage will be on FS1 and FS2, except for some USMNT games which will air on FOX. (<old man> so check your current issue of TV Guide </old man>)
Key Details (Gold Cup):
Dates: June 14 – July 6, 2025 (Yes, that's right. The same damn month.)
Hosts: United States & Canada. (Because apparently, these countries needed more football.)
Total Teams: 16 teams. This includes 15 CONCACAF nations and, because nothing says "North American Football" like a team from the Middle East, a guest invitee: Saudi Arabia. (I'm sure that makes perfect geographical and sporting sense to someone in a very fancy FIFA office.)
The Format (Gold Cup): It's pretty standard for a regional tournament:
Group Stage: Four groups of four teams, playing a single round-robin.
Knockout Stage: The top two from each group advance to the quarterfinals, then semifinals, and finally, the big dance for the title. No bronze medal match here, mercifully.
The Early Calendar Crunch: Gold Cup Group Stage Fixtures
As if the Club World Cup schedule wasn't enough to make you feel exhausted just reading it, here's a peek at what the CONCACAF boys will be up to in the opening days:
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Mexico v Dominican Republic - 10:15 PM FS1
Sunday, June 15, 2025
United States v Trinidad and Tobago - 6:00 PM FOX
Haiti v Saudi Arabia - 8:15 PM FS1
Costa Rica v Suriname - 11:00 PM FS1
Monday, June 16, 2025
Panama v Guadeloupe - 7:00 PM FS1
Jamaica v Guatemala - 10:00 PM FS1
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Curacao v El Salvador - 8:15 PM FS1
Canada v Honduras - 10:30 PM FS1
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Costa Rica v Dominican Republic - 7:00 PM FS1
Suriname v Mexico - 10:00 PM FS1
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Trinidad and Tobago v Haiti - 6:45 PM FS1
Saudi Arabia v United States - 9:15 PM FS1
Friday, June 20, 2025
Jamaica v Guadeloupe - 7:45 PM FS1
Guatemala v Panama - 10:00 PM FS1
(The knockout rounds will follow, concluding with the final on July 7th.)
Expert My Analysis for the US Men's National Team:
Take care of yourself, and each other.
My condolences for the loss of your dog, pal. Few things are worse.
As for your thoughts on this fakakta tournament, it's business over ball from here on out so we'll have to get used to these blatant money grabs. Players will suffer, but as long as the rich get richer so be it.
Also, your USMNT analysis is perfect.
Thanks for all of it.