The FIFA Club World Cup is advancing to its quarterfinal stage. Eight clubs remain in contention, vying for a place in the semifinals ahead of the grand final scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium. Following the unexpected exits of some European powerhouses like Juventus, Inter, and Manchester City in the Round of 16, other teams have successfully progressed, keeping their championship aspirations alive. Let`s rank the four matches set to take place this weekend and preview what to anticipate from these quarterfinal encounters.
4. Palmeiras vs. Chelsea
Palmeiras secured their spot by winning 1-0 against fellow Brazilian side Botafogo in the Round of 16. They are set to face Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, who advanced with a 4-1 victory over Benfica in a match significantly disrupted by storms, leading to a roughly two-hour suspension. Maresca commented on the lengthy four-hour and 39-minute fixture, calling it “a joke” and “not football.” A compelling subplot is the possibility of Palmeiras striker Estevao playing his final match for the Brazilian club against his soon-to-be team, Chelsea, whom he is slated to join after the summer tournament. This promises to be an intriguing matchup.
- Date: Friday, July 4
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN
- Odds: Palmeiras +280; Draw +220; Chelsea +105
3. Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Xabi Alonso`s Real Madrid is scheduled to meet Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. These two prominent clubs have faced each other multiple times in the past, notably in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley, where Carlo Ancelotti`s Real Madrid defeated the German giants 2-0. A minor twist for this match is that Real Madrid`s Jude Bellingham will not get to play against his brother Jobe, who recently signed for Dortmund this summer, as the younger English midfielder is suspended after receiving a yellow card against Monterrey.
- Date: Saturday, July 5
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN
- Odds: Real Madrid -190; Draw +330; BVB +430
2. Fluminense vs. Al-Hilal
This quarterfinal clash brings together the two teams widely considered the biggest surprises of the Round of 16. Fluminense caused a significant upset by eliminating 2025 Champions League finalist Inter with a 2-0 victory. Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi`s Al-Hilal shocked the football world by securing a thrilling 4-3 win against Manchester City. As these two unexpected contenders face off on Friday, one is guaranteed a place among the tournament`s top four and will advance to meet the winner of the tie between Chelsea and Palmeiras.
- Date: Friday, July 4
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Camping World Stadium — Orlando, Florida
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN
- Odds: Fluminense +180; Draw +230; Al-Hilal +150
1. PSG vs. Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain is set to take on Bayern Munich in what is anticipated to be one of the most significant and must-watch matchups of the entire tournament. This quarterfinal sees the German giants face the winners of the 2024-25 Champions League. The outcome of this match could well indicate which team is best positioned to lift the world champion title. PSG has shown dominant form thus far, comfortably winning their Round of 16 match against Inter Miami 4-0, while Bayern Munich secured a 4-2 victory over Flamengo. This is truly a fixture that cannot be missed.
- Date: Saturday, July 5
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN
- Odds: PSG +120; Draw +260; Bayern Munich +210
