Form Watch: Which Club World Cup Giants Are Peaking — and Who’s Already in Trouble?

Before the first whistle blows in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the tournament has already started—off the pitch, in the form books. The real question isn’t just who’s qualified—it’s who’s arriving ready to dominate. In a tournament where there’s no room to grow into games, form is everything. If your engine isn’t running smoothly before kickoff, don’t expect to go far. 

So, who’s flying into the United States with wind in their sails? Who’s stumbling in, praying the reset button works? And who’s a complete wildcard?

Let’s break it down. 

1. Paris Saint-Germain (France)🔵; 

PSG completed a historic treble in 2025, running away with Ligue 1 after a 28-game unbeaten streak and hammering Inter Milan 5–0 in the Champions League final. Key players like Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, and Marquinhos will want to prove they’re not just Europe’s best—but the world’s. Luis Enrique’s squad was mostly injury-free and scored 152 goals across 58 matches in all competitions. The last 12 Club World Cup winners were Champions League winners. PSG are fast, ruthless, and balanced. This tournament is theirs to lose. 

2. Real Madrid (Spain)⚪; 

The Club World Cup’s most successful team (5 titles) narrowly missed out on La Liga but finished strong—4 wins in their final 5 games. Though Real exited in the UCL quarterfinals, they upset Arsenal in the second leg. Kylian Mbappe (43 goals), Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior remain elite. Xabi Alonso takes over with just 20 days of prep, aiming to install a pressing system that past Real bosses struggled to execute. With a healthy squad and winning DNA, they’re dangerous even without silverware this year. 


3. Bayern Munich (Germany)🔴; 

Vincent Kompany led Bayern back to the top of the Bundesliga. Harry Kane finally broke his trophy curse, winning the Golden Boot (26 goals) and the title. Bayern smashed in 99 goals in 34 league games, and face Auckland City first—expect fireworks. With Neuer, Kimmich, Sané, and new signing Michael Olise all fit, Bayern are deep, experienced, and gunning for another major title. 

4. Chelsea (England)🔵; 

After years of chaos, Chelsea bounced back under Enzo Maresca—4th in the Premier League and UEFA Conference League winners. Cole Palmer (15 league goals) led the resurgence, with Nicolas Jackson and Moisés Caicedo also stepping up. Injuries to Wesley Fofana and Mudryk were setbacks, but they’ve found a rhythm. They’ve got pedigree and momentum—two things that count for plenty in a knockout tournament. 

5. Al Ahly (Egypt)🔴; 

Africa’s powerhouse club swept the Egyptian Premier League, Super Cup, and another domestic trophy. Emam Ashour led the scoring with 13 league goals, and manager Marcel Koller’s attack-minded team is flying. While they fell short in the CAF Champions League semis, Al Ahly’s chemistry, form, and confidence make them a genuine threat on the global stage. 

6. Flamengo (Brazil)⚫; 

Flamengo won the 2024 Copa do Brasil and are leading the Brasileirao. Despite changing managers midseason (Tite out, Felipe Luís in), they kept winning. Pedro (11 goals in 21 matches) leads a sharp frontline with De Arrascaeta and Gerson pulling strings. Their Libertadores exit stings, but domestically they’re dominant. If they carry that into this tournament, they’re capable of a deep run. 

1. Manchester City (England)🔵; 

From treble winners to stuttering giants—City’s 2024–25 campaign was disjointed. A 13-game slump, early UCL exit, and FA Cup final loss capped a tough year. Key players like Haaland, De Bruyne, Rodri, and Stones missed major time. Despite their pedigree and talent, recent form suggests vulnerability. If they don’t start sharp, an early exit isn’t out of the question.

2. Juventus (Italy)⚫; 

Juve finished 4th in Serie A and won nothing. Their UCL run ended early, and the team lacked punch—Vlahovic led with just 10 league goals. Injuries in defense and midseason managerial issues didn’t help. Despite big names, Juve look shaky and could be one of the early exits unless they find consistency fast. 

3. Fluminense (Brazil)🟢; 

A year after winning the Libertadores, Fluminense’s form dipped—13th in Brazil’s top flight. They did win the Recopa Sudamericana but couldn’t keep pace in the league. Despite Germán Cano’s 20-goal haul, they’ve struggled with tactics and consistency. Facing Dortmund, Sundowns, and Ulsan HD in the group stage, their form hints at another early exit. 

1. Atlético Madrid (Spain)🔴; 

Atléti ended La Liga strong—third place and a club-record 14-game win streak. Sørloth (20 league goals) and Julián Álvarez (29 overall) led the charge. Simeone’s mix of youth and veterans (Oblak, Koke, Savic) makes them tough to break. They’ve flown under the radar, but if they click, they can go far.


2. C.F. Monterrey (Mexico)⚪; 

Monterrey had an up-and-down domestic year but still reached two playoff rounds and lost a final. Veterans like Sergio Ramos and Lucas Ocampos provide experience, and their record in CONCACAF knockout games is solid. Opening against Inter won’t be easy—but they’ve pulled off surprises before.

3. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)🟡; 

After a slow start, Dortmund surged to finish 4th in the Bundesliga. Guirassy scored 34 in all competitions and helped fire them to the Champions League quarterfinals. They’re streaky (7–1 vs Celtic, 1–5 vs Stuttgart) but capable of brilliance. With good form and some luck, they could shake things up. 

4. Inter Miami (USA, Hosts)🩷; 

MLS champions, Supporters' Shield winners, and riding Messi-mania. Lionel Messi (17 goals, 15 assists), Luis Suárez (18 goals), Alba, Busquets, and rising stars like Diego Gómez have made Inter Miami dangerous. The squad is deep and fresh, with home-field advantage. Don’t be shocked if they reach the final stages.