The Club World Cup is about to kick off, making it the perfect time to predict the outcomes of the tournament. With teams potentially recovering from demanding seasons and the competition featuring a new, expanded format, it`s difficult to gauge how seriously each side will approach the initial stages. However, in tournaments of this caliber, inherent talent and squad depth usually come out on top.
This factor could pose challenges for Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, constrained by salary caps that make competing with global powerhouses difficult. Nevertheless, Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC have a valuable opportunity to showcase their abilities on the world stage. Anticipating a few surprises is always wise in such competitions, so let`s delve into the predicted results.
Group Stage
| GROUP A | 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 is expected to be tightly contested. Porto clearly stands out as the likely group winner; securing victories against either Inter Miami or Palmeiras should pave their way. The crucial fixture is on Matchday 3, where Inter Miami faces the Brazilian side. Palmeiras` experience in major tournaments gives them an edge over The Herons, who have struggled in knockout formats.
| GROUP B | 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 is predicted to exit early. The Seattle Sounders face an incredibly difficult group alongside European champions PSG and the formidable Atletico Madrid. Botafogo is also a talented side, but this group presents a significant challenge for any team. The top two spots are separated only by goal difference, setting up a fascinating race on Matchday 3 to see which team scores more.
| GROUP C | 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 likely scenario is that the top teams in this group will play out a draw in their final match, prioritizing avoiding injuries. There`s no strategic reason to maneuver for a specific opponent in the Round of 16, as tough teams await everyone. Auckland City, the competition`s only amateur side, is predicted to secure a memorable point by drawing against Boca Juniors.
| GROUP D | 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 predicted to be eliminated in the group stage, despite their efforts. LAFC has a solid setup, but Chelsea is clearly the group favorite, and Flamengo is another experienced team. While results could certainly shift, making a deep run seems unlikely for LAFC initially, given potential concerns about their squad depth.
| GROUP E | 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 decision to appoint Cristian Chivu as their new manager introduces an element of uncertainty due to his inexperience, potentially making them vulnerable. This opens the door for Monterrey, possibly featuring Sergio Ramos, to challenge, but it is the J. League side Urawa Red Diamonds who are predicted to advance, relying on their solid defense. Even with Marcello Gallardo reportedly back at River Plate, they seem to have a journey ahead to return to their previous heights.
| GROUP F | 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 progress without major issues, potentially giving minutes to new signing Jobe Bellingham. Another Brazilian club, Fluminense, is also predicted to reach the knockout stages. While Ulsan and Mamelodi will provide competition, it`s unlikely to be enough to prevent Dortmund and Fluminense from advancing.
| GROUP G | 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 predictable. City and Juventus are clearly the strongest teams, and it would be highly unexpected if either dropped points against the other opponents. The final match between Juve and City is likely to feature many reserve players, with both teams having secured six points already.
| GROUP H | 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 | 0 | 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
While Real Madrid is expected to dominate Group H, the battle for second place is intriguing and could even come down to tie-breakers between Al Hilal and RB Salzburg. Al-Hilal might be somewhat incomplete after failing to secure a key striker before the tournament, while Salzburg aims to compensate for a disappointing domestic season. Pachuca could cause some upsets, making it difficult to predict definitively who will finish behind Real Madrid.
Round of 16
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
Typical for major tournaments, the Round of 16 is where most underdog runs are expected to end in the Club World Cup. Inter remains the most vulnerable of the top seeds, but their pairing against Fluminense offers a good chance of progression. Chelsea and Real Madrid are predicted to face tough challenges but ultimately secure their spots in the quarterfinals, aiming to finish the season strongly.
Quarterfinals
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 Chelsea, including former River Plate player Enzo Fernandez. The standout tie of this round is a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final, and the outcome is predicted to be the same, with Manchester City defeating Inter.
Semifinals
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 the match is predicted to go the full 120 minutes, with Atleti narrowly securing the win to reach the final. They will be joined by Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is expected to use this tournament to prove that last season`s minor setback was merely a blip, not the beginning of the end for his dominant squad.
Final
Manchester City 2, Atletico Madrid 1
In what promises to be an electrifying final, Manchester City is predicted to emerge victorious. With a highly talented roster and Rodri anchoring the midfield, even Kevin de Bruyne`s potential departure to Napoli shouldn`t hinder Guardiola`s side. City boasts a well-balanced squad that has only improved this summer, which should be enough to overcome Atletico Madrid in the decisive match.
