Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has expressed confidence in the potential of Asia’s four participating teams to deliver exceptional performances in the inaugural expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The tournament, which kicks off on Saturday, June 14, will feature some of the Continent’s most successful clubs, including Al Ain FC, Al Hilal SFC, Ulsan HD, and Urawa Red Diamonds.
Shaikh Salman said “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to extend our best wishes to our four representative clubs as well as to all our AFC match officials participating in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Our Asian teams have consistently demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest levels, and I am confident they will continue to embody the AFC’s Vision of succeeding on the world stage.”
He added that “Our sincere and warm wishes go to FIFA. The FIFA Club World Cup exemplifies the aspirations of the global football community, including the AFC and its members, to create a premier global club event that reflects the growing enthusiasm for Continental club football. We wish everyone at FIFA and in the United States the very best of success for what promises to be a historic moment for the beautiful game.”
The four Asian teams will face tough opponents in the group stage. Urawa Red Diamonds will begin their campaign against CA River Plate on June 17, followed by matches against FC Internazionale Milano and CF Monterrey. Ulsan HD will face Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Fluminense FC, and Borussia Dortmund in Group F. Al Ain will take on Juventus FC, Manchester City, and Wydad AC in Group G, while Al Hilal will face Real Madrid C.F., FC Salzburg, and CF Pachuca.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 promises to be an exciting event, with the world’s top clubs competing for the coveted title. The tournament will feature 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 host cities in the United States, with the Final culminating at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.
