The inaugural match of the FIFA Club World Cup will be played between Al Ahly and Inter Miami on June 15, 2025. Lionel Messi’s team will take on the Egyptian side at 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST). German giants Bayern Munich will face Auckland City in the second game of the day at 9:30 PM. The first high-profile match of the tournament is scheduled for 12:30 AM on June 16, when Atletico Madrid meet Paris Saint-Germain.
Featuring 32 teams, expanded from the previous format of seven, and staged in the United States through June and July, the FIFA Club World Cup will now be played on a quadrennial (four-yearly) basis. This change means that many top players will now face the prospect of off-season tournaments in three out of every four years, with the Club World Cup squeezed between the Men’s World Cup, the European Championship, and Copa America.
The tournament is backed by the European Club Association, which represents the majority of top European clubs, and participating teams are not taking it lightly. Europe will be represented by some of its biggest clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain. Superstars including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Erling Haaland are expected to feature.
South American teams have also been active in the transfer market, making marquee signings in preparation. Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has joined Mexican team Monterrey. In Argentina, River Plate has signed seven new players, while Brazilian club Palmeiras paid €18 million (USD 20 million) for striker Paulinho.
Here is how football fans in India can watch the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 live:
Can people with cable TV or DTH subscriptions watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 games?
According to reports, WBD India–linked Eurosport India holds the TV broadcast rights for the tournament in India. However, Eurosport India will be airing selected matches only.
Is the tournament being streamed on any OTT platforms?
Yes. Streaming platform FanCode has secured the digital rights to stream the matches live in India. The platform will stream the entire tournament live.
What are the alternatives available for Indian viewers?
In addition to FanCode, matches will also be available on DAZN, FIFA’s official global streaming partner, and FIFA+, the football governing body’s own digital platform. Fans can watch matches for free or by signing up, depending on the platform, by visiting FIFAplus.com or downloading the official FIFA+ mobile app.