The FIFA Club World Cup is approaching its conclusion, with the quarterfinal stage featuring the remaining eight teams battling for a place in the next round. These knockout matches set the stage for the semifinals and the grand final, which is scheduled to take place on July 13th at MetLife Stadium. While several prominent European clubs like Juventus, Inter Milan, and Manchester City were eliminated in the previous round, other strong contenders have successfully advanced their title aspirations. Here, we rank the four quarterfinal encounters set to happen this weekend, highlighting what makes each matchup compelling.
4. Palmeiras vs. Chelsea
Palmeiras secured their spot in the quarterfinals by defeating fellow Brazilian side Botafogo with a 1-0 victory in the round of 16. Their opponent will be Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, who advanced after a 4-1 win against Benfica. Chelsea`s match was notably impacted by a significant storm, causing a delay of approximately two hours. Following the lengthy four-hour, 39-minute affair, Maresca expressed his frustration, calling the situation “a joke” and “not football,” questioning if the location was suitable for the competition. Adding an interesting dynamic to this tie, Palmeiras striker Estevao, who is set to join Chelsea at the end of this summer tournament, could potentially play his final game for the Brazilian club against his future employers.
3. Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
This quarterfinal tie sees Real Madrid, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, face off against Borussia Dortmund. The two clubs have met numerous times historically, including a recent high-profile clash in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley, where Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. A notable absence for Real Madrid in this match will be Jude Bellingham, who will not have the opportunity to play against his younger brother, Jobe, a recent signing for Dortmund. Jobe Bellingham is unavailable for selection after receiving a yellow card in the previous round against Monterrey.
2. Fluminense vs. Al-Hilal
This quarterfinal features two teams that delivered major upsets in the round of 16. Fluminense secured their place by knocking out Italian giants Inter Milan with a 2-0 win. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal caused a global surprise by defeating Manchester City in a thrilling 4-3 contest. As these two unexpected quarterfinalists go head-to-head, one of them is guaranteed to advance to the tournament`s top four and will face the winner of the match between Chelsea and Palmeiras.
1. PSG vs. Bayern Munich
The matchup between PSG and Bayern Munich is widely considered one of the most significant and highly anticipated fixtures of the tournament. This clash of European powerhouses sees the German giants take on PSG in the quarterfinals. The winner of this encounter will immediately become a strong favorite to claim the world title. PSG showed impressive form in the round of 16, dominating Inter Miami with a convincing 4-0 victory. Bayern Munich also advanced strongly, defeating Flamengo 4-2. This high-profile battle is undoubtedly a must-watch game.
