Club World Cup 2025: Real Madrid and City debut today; see where to watch

Four thrilling matches mark the first round of the 2025 Club World Cup this Wednesday, June 18, in the United States, featuring debuts from giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Juventus. The tournament, with 32 clubs in an expanded format, promises high-level clashes, with live broadcasts on Globo, SporTV, DAZN, and CazéTV. Manchester City faces Wydad Casablanca at 1 p.m., while Real Madrid takes on Al-Hilal at 4 p.m., showcasing stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Other matches, such as Pachuca vs. RB Salzburg and Al Ain vs. Juventus, round out the day. This guide provides schedules, broadcast platforms, and details on the clubs in action, ensuring fans miss no moment.

The Club World Cup, hosted across 12 U.S. stadiums, kicked off last Saturday, June 14, and runs until July 13, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Teams are split into eight groups of four, with the top two advancing to the round of 16. Today, the spotlight is on Groups G and H, where European clubs face opponents from other continents.

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• Matches of the day:
• Manchester City vs. Wydad Casablanca – 1 p.m.
• Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal – 4 p.m.
• Pachuca vs. RB Salzburg – 7 p.m.
• Al Ain vs. Juventus – 10 p.m.

Wrapping up the first round of group stage #FIFACWC action. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3toOkrjo0z

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 18, 2025

Manchester City kicks off with favoritism

Manchester City, 2022/23 Champions League winners, debuts at 1 p.m. against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Under Pep Guardiola, the Citizens boast a star-studded squad led by Erling Haaland, in top form, and Rodri, back from injury. The English side, a title favorite, faces a Wydad team, three-time African champions, known for solid defense and quick counterattacks.

The match will be broadcast live on Globo, SporTV, DAZN, and CazéTV, with options for all audiences. Globo airs on free-to-air TV, while CazéTV, led by Casimiro Miguel, offers free YouTube streaming. DAZN, covering the entire tournament, and SporTV, on pay-TV, provide detailed narration and analysis. The ge.globo platform also offers real-time updates with stats and highlights.

Real Madrid takes the field with new coach

At 4 p.m., Real Madrid faces Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Merengues, record Champions League winners, debut under Xabi Alonso, who took over after Carlo Ancelotti’s move to Brazil’s national team. Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham form a formidable attack, while Al-Hilal, backed by heavy investments, relies on stars like Neymar, returning from injury, to pull off an upset.

The game will be available on:

• Globo: Free-to-air TV with Galvão Bueno’s narration.
• SporTV: Full coverage on pay-TV.
• DAZN: Streaming with all Club World Cup matches.
• CazéTV: Free streaming on YouTube and Disney+.

The clash is expected to be one of the day’s most-watched, with Real Madrid aiming to cement their favoritism and Al-Hilal looking to prove they can compete with Europe’s elite.

Juventus closes the night with tradition

At 10 p.m., Italy’s Juventus faces Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates at Audi Field in Washington. The Old Lady, led by Thiago Motta, fields a revamped squad blending youngsters like Kenan Yildiz with veterans like Dusan Vlahovic. Al Ain, Asian champions, banks on their attackers’ speed to surprise, but faces a tactical challenge against Italy’s disciplined setup.

The match will be shown on Globo, SporTV, DAZN, and CazéTV, with CazéTV’s free broadcast drawing millions with its laid-back style. SporTV offers tactical analysis, while DAZN ensures high-quality streaming for subscribers.

Pachuca and RB Salzburg in a tactical duel

At 7 p.m., Mexico’s Pachuca takes on Austria’s RB Salzburg at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The clash pits two teams known for their youth academies and intense playing styles. Pachuca, Concacaf champions, leans on the experience of players like Salomon Rondón, while Salzburg, a breeding ground for talents like Haaland in the past, showcases young stars like Karim Konaté.

The game will air on SporTV, DAZN, and CazéTV, but not on Globo, which prioritizes higher-profile matches. CazéTV’s free streaming is a great option for fans looking to catch every game.

Club World Cup format and Brazilian teams

The 2025 Club World Cup mirrors the World Cup format, with 32 teams in eight groups. The top two from each group advance to a single-elimination round of 16, with extra time and penalties if needed. Brazil is represented by Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo, though none play today. Palmeiras faced Porto on Sunday, June 15, while Botafogo took on Seattle Sounders the same day. Flamengo and Fluminense played on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

The tournament’s prize pool is a major draw. European clubs earn between $12.81 million and $38.19 million, while South American teams, including Brazil’s, secure $15.21 million for participating. The champion could pocket up to $125 million, roughly R$713 million.

Where to watch: options for all audiences

The 2025 Club World Cup boasts one of the broadest broadcast coverages in football history, with multiple platforms:

• Globo: Airs Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Juventus games on free-to-air TV.
• SporTV: Covers all 63 tournament matches on pay-TV.
• DAZN: Streams every game, perfect for flexible viewing.
• CazéTV: Free YouTube broadcasts with a global reach.
• ge.globo: Real-time updates with highlights, stats, and news.

All times are in Brasília’s time zone, designed to suit Brazilian fans. CazéTV, in particular, stands out for democratizing access, drawing millions with live YouTube and Disney+ streams.

Stars on display and what to expect

Today’s matches feature some of football’s biggest stars. Manchester City’s Haaland leads the attack, backed by Bernardo Silva’s creativity and Rodri’s solidity. Real Madrid’s Mbappé and Vinicius Junior promise game-changing moments, with Bellingham controlling the midfield. Juventus relies on Vlahovic as their goal-scorer, while Pachuca counts on Rondón to spearhead their offense.

Each game offers unique tactical battles. City is expected to dominate possession against Wydad, while Real Madrid faces an Al-Hilal side blending South American flair with Asian investment. Juventus’ sturdy defense will test Al Ain’s patience, and the Pachuca-Salzburg clash promises intensity and rapid transitions.

A day of global football

Wednesday, June 18, 2025, is a feast for football fans. With debuts from historic clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Juventus, plus the tactical duel between Pachuca and RB Salzburg, the Club World Cup cements its status as a premier tournament. Multi-platform broadcasts ensure fans worldwide can watch, whether on free-to-air TV, paid streaming, or free platforms like CazéTV.