The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is well underway, and the controversy has already come in for even more criticism. Before the action got underway, the critics were already circling. They were calling the tournament a cash-grab by world football’s governing body, adding unnecessary games to an already stacked footballing calendar and throwing billions of dollars at the 32 teams participating in a bid to ensure they take the competition seriously.
Since then, however, things have gotten worse. Bayern Munich’s 10-0 drubbing in their tournament opener against New Zealand amateurs Auckland City added fuel to the fire. Then, shocking attendances at the Ulsan HD-Mamelodi Sundowns and Chelsea-Los Angeles FC games have led many to write the competition off altogether.
But despite the unavoidable dark clouds looming over the Club World Cup, some teams have managed to put the criticism to one side and pick up statement victories. So who are they, and what can we expect from them over the next month? Let’s take a look.
Paris Saint-Germain
French behemoths Paris Saint-Germain headed to the States this summer after claiming the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever, courtesy of a 5-0 drubbing against Inter Milan in Munich. As such, online gambling sites considered them a contender to add the Club World Cup to their already overflowing trophy cabinet. But following their opening day antics, websites such as the popular Bovada gambling site now make them the 3/1 outright favorite to lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium next month.
The Parisians faced what many thought would be a tough test in their opening game as they squared off with fellow European outfit Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos had already beaten their French opponents earlier in the season with Angel Correa’s 96th-minute winner handing his side a 2-1 win in the Parc des Princes. However, PSG has come a long way since then, and that was on full display in their recent showdown in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Luis Enrique’s men were dominant from the outset. They raced into a two-goal lead thanks to first-half strikes from midfielders Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha, and it was more one-way traffic in the second period.
Despite the dominance, Atleti did have their chances, seeing a Julian Alvarez goal ruled out by VAR and top scorer Alexander Sorloth miss an open net from four yards out. However, a red card for Clement Lenglet opened the door for more Parisian goals, and they duly came late on with Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in netting to complete a 4-0 rout.
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Monterrey
Many might have considered Mexican champions Monterrey somewhat of an afterthought at this year’s Club World Cup. However, if one dug beneath the surface, they’ll have noticed a squad packed with talent and bags of top-level experience.
The Rayados are captained by one of the greatest defenders that’s ever lived in former Real Madrid and Spain superstar Sergio Ramos, and even at the age of 39, he is still one of the very best center halves in the game. He is joined by compatriots Sergio Canales and Oliver Torres, midfielders who have hundreds of La Liga appearances for clubs such as Valencia and Sevilla under their belts. Add to that the goals of two-time Europa League winner Lucas Ocampos, and it’s clear that the Mexican outfit is more than a match for anyone on their day.
That ultimately proved to be the case in their opening game against Italian heavyweights Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri headed into the clash as huge favorites to secure the three points, with Monterrey considered a 4/1 underdog by some outlets. However, they weren’t to be over-roared and took the lead in 25 minutes thanks to Ramos’ looping header.
Just before halftime, Inter found an equalizer through captain Lautaro Martinez, but rather than folding, the Rayados looked for a winner. They very nearly found it in the second half as Canales’ long-range strike struck the right-hand post, but in the end, they had to settle for a point. Even though they didn’t find the winner, they have already proven themselves in avoiding defeat, and now they find themselves in a great position to progress to the knockout round.
Fluminense
Another team that didn’t manage to win their opener but still made a lasting impression is Fluminense. The Tricolor headed to the Club World Cup with many considering them the weakest of the four Brazilian teams in action. However, after their opening day goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund, their skeptics are now taking them seriously.
With a 44-year-old goalkeeper between the sticks and 40-year-old Thiago Silva at center back, the Germans were heavily favored to emerge with the three points. In the end, though, it was the Brazilians who were disappointed not to get the victory, and had it not been for a spectacular double save from Dortmund shot-stopper Gregor Kobel, they very well might have.
With games against Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD still to come, there’s a very real chance that Fluminense could top Group F. If they do that, who knows how far they could go in the tournament.
