Jun 29, 2025, Posted by: Lila Mwangi
Manchester City Take Control: Group Stage Recap
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup isn’t holding anything back. As the tournament moves into the knockout rounds, the FIFA Club World Cup power rankings offer a snapshot of who’s actually running the show—and who’s making headlines for all the right (or wrong) reasons. Right now, Manchester City aren’t just in the conversation—they’re dominating it. Pep Guardiola’s squad made their intent clear early on, dismantling Al Ain 6-0, following up with a 5-2 rout of Juventus, and wrapping group play with a tidy 2-0 victory over Wydad. The results hardly looked in doubt. Part of City’s magic comes from their incredible squad depth: younger talent like Rayan Cherki is making headlines, but it’s Rodri in midfield who’s quietly dictating every game City play.
It wasn’t just City leaving their mark, though. Real Madrid cruised through their group—this is what happens when you mix time-tested veterans with young, hungry attackers. Bayern Munich also flexed their muscles, netting top spot in a group that wasn’t short of quality football. These teams didn’t just win; they looked like units built for the kind of grinding tournament play this new Club World Cup format demands. Meanwhile, surprises emerged from South America: Botafogo’s rise cut against expectations, and Flamengo’s first-place finish ahead of Chelsea turned more than a few heads.
Knockout Drama: Heavyweights Meet Upstarts
The group stage delivered plenty of plot twists. In Group A, Palmeiras and Inter Miami finished neck and neck on points—who saw that coming? Group B kept things even tighter, with PSG, Botafogo, and Atlético Madrid splitting hairs in a genuine three-way race for the top. Bayern Munich didn’t break a sweat winning Group C, forcing Benfica into a fighting runner-up slot. Flamengo’s consistency put them ahead of Chelsea in Group D, making it evident that Brazilian flair is alive and kicking.
The real fun? It starts now. Inter Miami, a club that just a few years ago felt more like a glitzy experiment than a continental force, are set for a statement game against Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16. Messi facing his old French club is exactly the kind of story that pulls new fans into football. Elsewhere, Chelsea’s path is suddenly a high-wire act—they have to avoid a slip-up against Esperance if they want to stay in the hunt. The expanded tournament format means more teams with a real shot at a deep run; Botafogo’s Cinderella story is proof of just how high the ceiling might be for teams that hit form at the right time.
What makes this edition of the Club World Cup so unpredictable is the blend of old-school giants and ambitious new faces. The knockout stage is shaping up for classic duels between tactical heavyweights and bold challengers. For the fans, that means fewer guarantees—and way more chaos. As the clubs regroup and coaches sharpen their tactical blueprints, one thing’s certain: nobody gets a free pass, no matter how many trophies are sitting in the cabinet.
Author
Lila Mwangi
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.