The FIFA Club World Cup is set to begin, and it`s time to predict the potential outcome of the revamped tournament. With many teams potentially recovering from demanding seasons, it might be unclear who will prioritize this competition initially. However, historically, talent and squad depth tend to be decisive factors in such events.
This factor could pose a challenge for Major League Soccer teams, whose salary cap structures limit their ability to build squads comparable to top global competitors. Nevertheless, teams like Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC will have a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities on this international stage. Upsets are always a possibility in tournaments, so let`s delve into the predicted progression.
Group Stage Predictions
GROUP A
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| Palmeiras | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
| Inter Miami | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| Al Ahly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
Al Ahly 1, Inter Miami 2
Palmeiras 0, Porto 2
Matchday 2:
Palmeiras 2, Al Ahly 0
Inter Miami 1, Porto 2
Matchday 3:
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 2
Porto 2, Al Ahly 0
Group A is expected to be closely contested. Porto appears strong enough to top the group, needing a win against either Inter Miami or Palmeiras to secure their path. The crucial fixture likely comes on Matchday 3 between Inter Miami and the Brazilian side. Palmeiras` greater experience in competitions of this magnitude gives them an edge over the Herons, who have struggled in knockout formats.
GROUP B
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 |
| PSG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 |
| Botafogo | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
| Seattle Sounders | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
PSG 1, Atletico Madrid 1
Botafogo 2, Seattle Sounders 1
Matchday 2:
Seattle Sounders 0, Atletico Madrid 3
PSG 3, Botafogo 1
Matchday 3:
Seattle Sounders 1, PSG 3
Atletico Madrid 3, Botafogo 1
Another MLS side faces a tough challenge. The Seattle Sounders are drawn into a formidable group featuring European champions PSG and powerhouse Atletico Madrid. Botafogo also possess quality, making this a difficult path for any opponent. The top two are separated only by goal difference, setting up a fascinating battle for scoring supremacy on the final matchday.
GROUP C
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| Benfica | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |
| Boca Juniors | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 |
| Auckland City | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 1 |
Bayern Munich 4, Auckland City 0
Boca Juniors 0, Benfica 2
Matchday 2:
Benfica 3, Auckland City 0
Bayern Munich 2, Boca Juniors 0
Matchday 3:
Auckland City 0, Boca Juniors 0
Benfica 1, Bayern Munich 1
Expect a pattern where the top teams in this group might draw their final match to avoid injuries, as tough opponents await in the Round of 16 regardless. Auckland City, the only amateur team in the competition, could achieve a notable result by drawing against Boca Juniors.
GROUP D
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 |
| Flamengo | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| LAFC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| Esperance de Tunis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
Chelsea 1, LAFC 0
Flamengo 3, Esperance de Tunis 1
Matchday 2:
Flamengo 1, Chelsea 1
LAFC 2, Esperance de Tunis 0
Matchday 3:
LAFC 1, Flamengo 1
Esperance de Tunis 0, Chelsea 2
All three MLS representatives are predicted to exit in the group stage, despite their efforts. LAFC has potential, but Chelsea is the clear favorite here, and Flamengo is another seasoned opponent. While LAFC could potentially advance, it`s difficult to bank on them reaching the knockout stages given the perceived lack of depth in their squad.
GROUP E
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
| Monterrey | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 |
| River Plate | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |
River Plate 1, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
Monterrey 1, Inter 2
Matchday 2:
Inter 1, Urawa Red Diamonds 2
River Plate 1, Monterrey 3
Matchday 3:
Inter 2, River Plate 1
Urawa Red Diamonds 1, Monterrey 1
Group E is highly unpredictable. Inter`s decision to appoint Cristian Chivu as their new manager could make them vulnerable due to his lack of experience. This opens the door for Monterrey, led by Sergio Ramos, to push for an upset. However, J League side Urawa Red Diamonds are predicted to take advantage and advance with a solid defense. Marcelo Gallardo may have returned to River Plate, but they appear to have a significant path ahead to regain their top form.
GROUP F
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borussia Dortmund | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 |
| Fluminense | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
| Ulsan HD | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
Fluminense 1, Borussia Dortmund 2
Ulsan HD 1, Mamelodi Sundowns 1
Matchday 2:
Mamelodi Sundowns 0, Borussia Dortmund 3
Fluminense 2, Ulsan HD 1
Matchday 3:
Borussia Dortmund 2, Ulsan HD 0
Mamelodi Sundowns 0, Fluminense 1
In this group, Borussia Dortmund is expected to advance comfortably, potentially offering minutes to new recruit Jobe Bellingham. Another Brazilian side, Fluminense, is also predicted to reach the knockout stage. Ulsan and Mamelodi will provide challenges, but likely not enough to stop Dortmund and Fluminense.
GROUP G
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man City | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 7 |
| Juventus | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 |
| Al Ain | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -5 | 3 |
| Wydad | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
Manchester City 3, Wydad AC 0
Al Ain 0, Juventus 1
Matchday 2:
Juventus 2, Wydad AC 0
Manchester City 4, Al Ain 0
Matchday 3:
Juventus 1, Manchester City 1
Wydad AC 0, Al Ain 1
Group G appears straightforward. City and Juventus are clearly the strongest teams. It would be surprising if either dropped points against the other group members. The final game between Juve and City is likely to feature many reserve players, with both teams comfortably through on seven points.
GROUP H
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 |
| Al-Hilal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| RB Salzburg | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| Pachuca | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |
Real Madrid 3, Al Hilal 1
Pachuca 1, Salzburg 2
Matchday 2:
Real Madrid 3, Pachuca 1
Salzburg 2, Al Hilal 2
Matchday 3:
Al-Hilal 2, Pachuca 1
Salzburg 1, Real Madrid 3
While Real Madrid is expected to dominate Group H, securing second place could come down to goal difference between Al Hilal and RB Salzburg. Al-Hilal might be somewhat incomplete after failing to sign a new striker before the tournament, while Salzburg will be looking to compensate for a disappointing domestic season. Pachuca could potentially cause some difficulty, making the battle for the second spot quite open behind Real Madrid.
Knockout Stage Predictions
Round of 16
Bayern Munich 2, Flamengo 0
Atletico Madrid 2, Palmeiras 1
Chelsea 2, Benfica 1
Inter 2, Fluminense 1
Manchester City 2, Al-Hilal 0
Real Madrid 2, Juventus 1
Borussia Dortmund 2, Urawa Red Diamonds 0
As in most major tournaments, the Round of 16 is where underdogs are likely to be eliminated in the Club World Cup. Inter remains the most vulnerable of the major teams, but facing Fluminense gives them a solid chance of advancing. Chelsea and Real Madrid are predicted to have hard-fought paths to the quarterfinals but should secure their spots as they aim to finish their seasons strongly.
Quarterfinals
PSG 1, Bayern Munich 3
Atletico Madrid 2, Chelsea 1
Real Madrid 2, Borussia Dortmund 1
PSG`s long season is predicted to end here, with Harry Kane leading Bayern Munich into the semifinals. Atletico Madrid is also expected to perform well, with Julian Alvarez potentially channeling his Premier League form to overcome former River Plate player Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea. The most anticipated clash is a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final, and it`s predicted to yield the same result: Manchester City advancing past Inter.
Semifinals
Atletico Madrid 1, Real Madrid 0 (After extra time)
A Madrid derby in the CWC semifinals? Absolutely. Xabi Alonso gets his first experience of the rivalry as a manager, and it`s predicted to go the full 120 minutes, with Atleti ultimately prevailing to book their place in the final. They will be joined by Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola aims to use this tournament to demonstrate that last season`s setback was merely a temporary blip, not the decline of his dominant squad.
Final
In what promises to be an exciting final, Manchester City is predicted to emerge victorious. With a star-studded squad and Rodri anchoring the midfield, even Kevin de Bruyne`s potential departure to Napoli shouldn`t be enough to derail Guardiola`s side. City`s squad is well-balanced and has improved over the summer, providing them with the depth needed to overcome Atletico Madrid in the final showdown.
