The FIFA Club World Cup Arrives In Seattle
- Niko Abian
- Jun 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 15
By Niko Abian
The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup is coming to Seattle, where a total of six matches will be played at Lumen Field, featuring teams from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The competition will include 32 teams and take place every four years. Previously, the tournament occurred annually and included only seven teams. This year’s tournament will be the first since the expansion. All Club World Cup matches will stream for free on DAZN. A schedule of all the matches and events taking place in Seattle can be found here.
Here’s who to be on the lookout in this year's tournament:
Seattle Sounders: The Sounders qualified for the tournament due to their CONCACAF Champions League win in 2022. The Champions League win allowed the Sounders to participate in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, which was held in Morocco. The Sounders are one of the most accomplished franchises in Major League Soccer, becoming the first Major League Soccer team to win the Champions League in 2022. Veteran players Cristian Roldán, Albert Rusnák, and the recently signed Jesús Ferreira will lead the team in this year's tournament.
Botafogo: Botafogo is a Brazilian club from Rio de Janeiro. The club won their first Copa Libertadores in 2024, the most prestigious competition in South America, and secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup. The name of the team comes from the upper-middle class beachfront neighborhood in Rio from which they are based. Botafogo share rivalries with fellow Rio clubs Flamengo and Fluminese who will both be at the Club World Cup. The club is considered one of Brazil’s “Big 12” clubs, with 3 Brazilian League Titles and 21 Rio de Janeiro State Championships.
Atlético Madrid: Atlético Madrid is often overshadowed by their cross-town rivals, Real Madrid, who will also be at the Club World Cup. The club has been one of the most successful in Europe under manager Diego Simione. Simione took over in 2011 and has been the team’s longest serving manager. Since then the team has won two Spanish league titles, two Europa League titles, and finished as runners up in the European Champions League twice. In 2025, Atletico were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in a controversial penalty shootout, and finished third in the Spanish league. Atletico feature star forwards Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez.
Paris Saint-Germain: The reigning European champions won their first Champions League this year on May 31 and will be among the favorites to win the Club World Cup. The team has been extremely successful since they were bought in 2011 by Qatar government-backed investments fund Qatar Sports Investments. Since then they’ve only lost the French league on two occasions and been a regular in the knockout stages of the Champions League. PSG have one of the best teams in the world despite losing stars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar in the past two years. They have world class players across the board such as full backs, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, midfielders Vintinha and Joao Neves, and forwards Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Kvitcha Kvaratskhelia.
Inter Milan: One of the most famous Italian clubs, Inter Milan enter the competition off the back of their loss to PSG in this year's Champions League Final. The club has been very successful under manager Simone Inzaghi winning the Italian league in 2022 and 2024, and reaching the Champions League Final in 2023 and 2025. Inzaghi left Inter Milan just a week ago to join Saudi Arabian Club Al-Hilal. Inzaghi was replaced with former Inter player Cristian Chivu. Inter are known for their 3-5-2 formation and it is yet to be seen if Chivu will deviate from the tactic. Inter squad is full of veteran players and stayed relatively consistent throughout Inzhaghi’s tenure. Among the most notable of the veterans is the technically gifted center back Alessandro Bastoni, the industrious midfielder Nicola Barella, and the tough Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez.
River Plate: River Plate will represent Argentina alongside their bitter rival, Boca Juniors. Both clubs have origins in La Boca, a working class dockland area of Buenos Aires. Founded in 1901, the club has won over 36 Argentine league titles and 18 international trophies, including four Copa Libertadores crowns. River Plate boasts many veteran Argentinian players such as fullbacks Marcos Acuna, and Gonzalo Montiel who were a part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winning squad as well as the 17 year old star forward Franco Mastantuono who will join Real Madrid after the Club World Cup in August.
Urawa Red Diamonds: The Urawa Red Diamonds are one of Japan’s most prominent football clubs, with deep roots in the city of Saitama, specifically the former city of Urawa — now part of the greater Saitama metropolitan area. As one of the original 10 teams in the J-League, they have been a cornerstone of Japanese professional football and have consistently competed at the highest level. The club was originally founded by Mitsubishi, the well-known Japanese automotive company, in 1950. Their success on the continental stage is highlighted by their 2022 Asian Champions League title. Winning the Champions League earned them direct entry into the Club World Cup.
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