The FIFA Club World Cup tournament is drawing closer to its conclusion as the eight remaining clubs prepare for the quarterfinal stage. These matches are the stepping stone to the semifinals and the final showdown scheduled for July 13th at MetLife Stadium. While some major European teams such as Juventus, Inter, and Manchester City were eliminated in the Round of 16, other hopefuls successfully progressed. Here`s a breakdown and ranking of the four quarterfinal matchups set to take place this weekend, along with what makes each encounter noteworthy:
4. Palmeiras vs. Chelsea
Claiming the fourth spot in our ranking is the fixture between Palmeiras and Chelsea. Palmeiras secured their place in the quarterfinals by winning 1-0 against fellow Brazilian club Botafogo in the previous round. Their opponent will be Chelsea, led by coach Enzo Maresca, who advanced after a 4-1 victory over Benfica in a match significantly impacted by severe storms. The game was suspended for approximately two hours, leading Maresca to voice his strong dissatisfaction afterwards, stating, “I think it`s a joke, to be honest. It`s not football.” He questioned the suitability of the venue if multiple matches face such lengthy interruptions. An intriguing angle for this match is the potential involvement of Palmeiras striker Estevao. Expected to join Chelsea after the summer tournament, this game could be his final appearance for the Brazilian side, notably against his future club. It`s a compelling storyline within this tie.
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Odds: Palmeiras +280; Draw +220; Chelsea +105
3. Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Ranked third is the quarterfinal clash featuring Xabi Alonso`s Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund. These two European powerhouses have a history of significant encounters, including the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley, where Carlo Ancelotti`s Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline against the German giants. A notable storyline for this specific match is that Real Madrid`s key player, Jude Bellingham, will not get the chance to face his brother Jobe, who recently joined Dortmund this summer. Jobe Bellingham is unavailable for the match due to receiving a yellow card suspension in the previous tie against Monterrey.
- Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Odds: Real Madrid -190; Draw +330; BVB +430
2. Fluminense vs. Al-Hilal
Coming in at number two is the unexpected quarterfinal pairing of Fluminense and Al-Hilal. This match brings together the two biggest surprise packages from the Round of 16. Fluminense caused an upset by eliminating Inter Milan, a finalist in the 2025 Champions League, with a convincing 2-0 win. Equally surprising was Simone Inzaghi`s Al-Hilal side, which stunned the football world by defeating Manchester City 4-3. With both unexpected qualifiers facing off, this tie guarantees that one of the tournament`s dark horses will reach the semifinals, where they will compete against the winner of the match between Chelsea and Palmeiras.
- Location: Camping World Stadium — Orlando, Florida
- Odds: Fluminense +180; Draw +230; Al-Hilal +150
1. PSG vs. Bayern Munich
Topping our ranking is the highly anticipated showdown between PSG and Bayern Munich. This fixture is widely considered the most significant matchup of the entire tournament. The German giants will face the team that won the 2024-25 Champions League title in the quarterfinals, and the winner of this heavyweight battle will undoubtedly be a prime candidate to lift the Club World Cup trophy. PSG demonstrated dominant form in the tournament so far, securing a decisive 4-0 victory over Inter Miami in the Round of 16. Bayern Munich also advanced with a solid 4-2 win against Flamengo. This is genuinely a must-watch game for any football fan.
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
- Odds: PSG +120; Draw +260; Bayern Munich +210
