After a group stage that proved to be unaccountably long, we finally had the definition of the Round of 16 qualifiers and the draw for the big decider. Unfortunately, two of the three MLS representatives were left out, leaving only Inter Miami to represent the North American league, in a historic clash against PSG that would see Lionel Messi and the Parisian team meet again.
Another highlight in the bracket is the clash between Monterrey and Borussia Dortmund, with the Liga MX representative challenging the 4th-placed Bundesliga side in a clash that also promises to be memorable for Concacaf. There will also be two UEFA clashes over the next few days, with Benfica vs Chelsea and Real Madrid vs Juventus, both highly anticipated matches with more than 20 million dollars expected in prize money.
With the largest number of teams representing them in the round of 16, Brazil has already secured at least one team in the quarter-finals, due to the clash between rivals Palmeiras vs Botafogo, a match that demands greater attention from US security due to possible fights between fans in a stadium that will not have a crowd division in most sectors.
The other Brazilians will have to challenge the Europeans, with Flamengo pitting their wits against Bayern Munich and Fluminense having to get past Inter Milan. Finally, Manchester City (the best attacking team in the group stage) will face Simone Inzaghi's Al Hilal in another attractive clash.
Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 schedule
Saturday, June 28
- Palmeiras vs Botafogo – 5:00 pm BST
- Benfica vs Chelsea – 9:00 pm BST
Sunday, June 29
- PSG vs Inter Miami – 5:00 pm BST
- Flamengo vs Bayern Munich – 9:00 pm BST
Monday, June 30
- Inter Milan vs Fluminense – 8:00 pm BST
- Manchester City vs Al Hilal – 2:00 am BST (early Tuesday, July 1)
Tuesday, July 1
- Real Madrid vs Juventus – 8:00 pm BST
- Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey – 2:00 am BST (early Wednesday, July 2)