The significantly expanded FIFA Club World Cup is set to commence this Saturday. It`s time to dust off the crystal ball and forecast the outcome of the tournament. With teams potentially fatigued from demanding recent seasons and the competition featuring a revamped format, it`s uncertain which clubs will prioritize it from the outset. However, in tournaments of this magnitude, superior talent and squad depth typically prove decisive.
This revised format could pose challenges for Major League Soccer teams, whose ability to assemble squads comparable to global giants is constrained by salary regulations. Nevertheless, Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC have a valuable chance to showcase their abilities on the world stage at the Club World Cup. It`s wise to anticipate a few surprises in a tournament like this, so let`s examine how things might unfold.
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 |
Matchday 1
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 appears competitive. Porto is the clear favorite to top the group, needing only to secure wins against either Inter Miami or Palmeiras to advance confidently. The crucial match is on Matchday 3 when Inter Miami faces the Brazilian side. Palmeiras` significant experience in similar competitions leads me to favor them over the Herons, who have struggled in knockout tournaments.
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 |
Matchday 1
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 team faces a difficult path as the Seattle Sounders are drawn into an extremely tough group alongside the European champions PSG and a formidable Atletico Madrid. Botafogo also possesses talent, but competing with the other sides in Group B would be challenging for any team. The top of the group is incredibly tight, with PSG and Atletico potentially separated only by goal difference, leading to a fascinating battle for top spot on Matchday 3.
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 |
Matchday 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
A pattern emerges where the top teams in the group draw their final match, as teams aim to avoid injuries and there`s no strategic advantage in avoiding specific opponents in the Round of 16, given that only strong teams remain. Auckland City, the only amateur team in the competition, is predicted to secure a memorable result by drawing 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 |
Matchday 1
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 projected to be eliminated in the group stage, though not without effort. LAFC is well-organized, but Chelsea is the clear top team, and Flamengo is another experienced side. While outcomes could shift and LAFC might reach the knockout stages, it`s difficult to confidently predict this 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 |
Matchday 1
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 choice to appoint Cristian Chivu as their new manager is noteworthy and could potentially leave the team vulnerable in this tournament due to his limited experience. Their struggles might open the door for Sergio Ramos` Monterrey to challenge for advancement. However, it`s the J League side Urawa Red Diamonds who are predicted to take advantage and progress, anchored by a solid defense. Marcello Gallardo may have returned to River Plate, but they appear to have a considerable journey ahead to return to football`s elite.
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 | 0 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
Matchday 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 should comfortably advance, perhaps even providing game time for new signing Jobe Bellingham. Another Brazilian club, Fluminense, is also expected to reach the knockout stages. While Ulsan and Mamelodi will offer resistance, it likely won`t be sufficient to prevent Dortmund and Fluminense from progressing.
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 |
Matchday 1
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 quite straightforward. City and Juventus are the clear powerhouses, and it would be highly surprising if either dropped points against the group`s other teams. Expect their final group match to feature backup players, as both teams will likely have already secured qualification with six points each.
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 | 0 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| Pachuca | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |
Matchday 1
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
This group presents an interesting situation: while Real Madrid is expected to dominate Group H, the second qualification spot could potentially be decided by drawing lots between Al Hilal and RB Salzburg due to tie-breakers. Al-Hilal`s failure to sign a striker before the tournament leaves them somewhat incomplete, whereas Salzburg is looking to compensate for a disappointing domestic season. Pachuca could potentially cause an upset, making it truly unpredictable who will emerge behind Real Madrid.
Round of 16 Predictions
Porto 0, PSG 1
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
Much like many major football tournaments, the Round of 16 in the Club World Cup is where the journey for most underdogs is predicted to end. Inter remains the most vulnerable of the top seeds, but a favorable draw against Fluminense gives them a good chance to progress. Chelsea and Real Madrid are expected to navigate tough paths to the quarterfinals but ultimately secure their spots, looking to conclude their seasons strongly.
Quarterfinals Predictions
Inter 1, Manchester City 2
PSG 1, Bayern Munich 3
Atletico Madrid 2, Chelsea 1
Real Madrid 2, Borussia Dortmund 1
PSG`s long season is predicted to conclude here, with Harry Kane leading Bayern Munich into the semifinals. Atletico Madrid is also expected to deliver a strong performance, with Julian Alvarez potentially replicating his Premier League form to overcome Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea. The most anticipated clash of this round is a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final, projected to yield the same result, with Manchester City advancing past Inter.
Semifinals Predictions
Manchester City 2, Bayern Munich 1
Atletico Madrid 1, Real Madrid 0 (After extra time)
A Madrid derby in the CWC semifinals? Yes, please. Xabi Alonso experiences his first taste of this rivalry as a manager, and it`s predicted to go the full 120 minutes, with Atleti narrowly clinching the win to book a place in the final. They are projected to face Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola is using this tournament to signal that last season`s outcome was merely a minor setback, not the start of a decline for his dominant squad.
Final Prediction
Manchester City 2, Atletico Madrid 1
In a thrilling final encounter, Manchester City is predicted to emerge victorious. With their star-studded lineup and Rodri back anchoring the midfield, not even Kevin de Bruyne`s hypothetical departure to Napoli would be enough to halt Guardiola`s side. City possesses a remarkably balanced squad that has reportedly been further strengthened this summer, giving them the edge needed to overcome Atletico Madrid in the final match.
