Where to watch Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal live at the FIFA Club World Cup

Real Madrid and Al-Hilal launch their campaigns in the 2025 Club World Cup on Wednesday, June 18, at 4 PM (Brasília time), at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, United States. The match, valid for the first round of Group H, marks the debut of two renowned coaches: Xabi Alonso, leading Real Madrid, and Simone Inzaghi, heading Al-Hilal. The game will be broadcast live on Globo, Sportv, Globoplay, Cazé TV, and DAZN, with real-time coverage by ge. Both teams enter the tournament in a rebuilding phase after title-less seasons, aiming for a strong start in the new World Cup format. The presence of recent signings and the historic rivalry between the clubs, who faced off in the 2022 final, heighten expectations for the clash.

The match promises to be a milestone for Real Madrid, which is entering a new era under Xabi Alonso. The Spanish coach, a former club player, took over after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure and faces the challenge of restoring the brilliance of a team that went trophyless last season. On the other side, Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s runner-up, relies on Simone Inzaghi’s experience, hired after a standout stint at Inter Milan, to upset the European favorites.

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• Match highlights:
  • Debut of Xabi Alonso and Simone Inzaghi with their respective clubs.
  • New signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen for Real Madrid.
  • Head-to-head history: Real Madrid defeated Al-Hilal 5-3 in the 2022 World Cup final.
  • Broad broadcast coverage, with options on free-to-air TV, cable, and streaming.

The 2025 Club World Cup, played in a new 32-team format, brings together the world’s top continental champions in what promises to be the most competitive edition yet. The Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal duel is a key attraction of the opening round, with global attention focused on the performance of the new coaches and their star players.

New cycle at Real Madrid

Real Madrid arrived in Miami after a grueling 62-game season, but with renewed energy under Xabi Alonso. The coach, who shone as a player at the club from 2009 to 2014, winning five titles, now faces the challenge of leading a star-studded squad that struggled in the 2024/2025 season. A trophyless campaign and four losses to rivals Barcelona prompted the board to seek a fresh approach on the sidelines.

Alonso, who excelled at Bayer Leverkusen with Bundesliga and German Cup titles, brings an attacking style, emphasizing possession and high pressing. In pre-tournament training, he tested a lineup featuring new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, formerly of Liverpool, and Dean Huijsen, a young center-back from Bournemouth. The duo is expected to start against Al-Hilal, bolstering a defense hit by injuries to players like Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and Antonio Rüdiger.

The coach also faces uncertainty over Kylian Mbappé, who missed the final training session due to a fever. If the Frenchman is unavailable, Rodrygo is likely to step into the attack alongside Vinícius Júnior and Arda Güler, a young Turk gaining prominence under Alonso. Real Madrid’s probable lineup reflects a bet on a youthful, dynamic team capable of setting the pace from the outset.

Al-Hilal aims to surprise

On the Saudi side, Al-Hilal enters the Club World Cup with the goal of overcoming last season’s inconsistency. Runner-up in the Saudi League and knocked out early in the Saudi King’s Cup and Asian Champions League, the club parted ways with Jorge Jesus and hired Simone Inzaghi, runner-up in the European Champions League with Inter Milan. The Italian, known for his tactical discipline, will have the chance to showcase his work with a star-filled squad.

The team boasts heavyweights like goalkeeper Yassine Bono, defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Al-Bulayhi, and midfielders Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. In attack, the trio of Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Aleksandar Mitrovic is the main threat. Mitrovic, in particular, is the offensive focal point, with a knack for goals and a physical presence that could challenge Real Madrid’s defense.

✍️ LLEGÓ LA HORA DE HACER HISTORIA. pic.twitter.com/0oKgKgNAIQ

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 18, 2025

Inzaghi opted to retain the core squad, adding only two players in the extra transfer window: defenders Ali Lajami and Abdulkarim Darsi. The strategy is to rely on defensive solidity and counterattacks, leveraging the speed of Malcom and Al-Dawsari. With no injuries, Al-Hilal takes the field at full strength, ready to replicate the competitive performance that took them to the 2022 World Cup final, where they fell 5-3 to Real Madrid.

Historic rivalry

The Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal matchup is not new. In 2022, the teams met in the Club World Cup final, a thrilling game that ended with a 5-3 victory for Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior, with two goals, was the standout, alongside Federico Valverde and Karim Benzema. For Al-Hilal, Moussa Marega and Luciano Vietto scored but couldn’t prevent the loss.

That clash showcased Al-Hilal’s ability to compete with Europe’s elite, but also underlined Real Madrid’s dominance in decisive moments. Now, with new coaches and revamped squads, the game promises to be just as open, with chances for goals on both sides. Pre-match analysis points to a balanced encounter, with Real Madrid as the favorite, but Al-Hilal capable of posing problems.

Group H in contention

Alongside Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, Group H includes RB Salzburg from Austria and Pachuca from Mexico. The two teams face off also on Wednesday, at 7 PM, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The group is seen as one of the most balanced in the tournament, with Real Madrid as the expected leader, but Al-Hilal, Salzburg, and Pachuca vying for the second spot in the round of 16.

• Other Group H matches:
  • RB Salzburg vs. Pachuca: 06/18, 7 PM, TQL Stadium.
  • Real Madrid vs. RB Salzburg: 06/24, time TBD.
  • Al-Hilal vs. Pachuca: 06/24, time TBD.

The group stage of the 2025 Club World Cup requires teams to play three matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. For Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, a win in the opener is crucial to build confidence and pave the way for qualification.

Intense preparation in Miami

Real Madrid’s arrival in the United States was marked by a tight schedule. Xabi Alonso held the first training session in Madrid on June 9, with just four days of work before traveling to Miami. The Merengue delegation faced a challenging calendar, with limited training time and the need to quickly integrate new signings.

Al-Hilal, which announced Inzaghi in early June, had more time to fine-tune the team. The Italian coach used the weeks prior to implement his playing philosophy, focusing on defensive compactness and quick transitions. The absence of injured players gives Al-Hilal an early edge, though a lack of competitive rhythm could be a hurdle against a motivated Real Madrid.

Fan expectations

Real Madrid fans are eager to see the start of the Xabi Alonso era. The coach, already an idol as a player, earned supporters’ trust with his success at Bayer Leverkusen. In interviews, Alonso emphasized the importance of adapting the team to the tournament’s conditions, like Miami’s heat, and maximizing the squad’s potential.

For Al-Hilal, Saudi fans hope Inzaghi can elevate the club to new heights. The Italian’s hiring, one of the highest-paid coaches globally, reflects Al-Hilal’s ambition to become a global powerhouse. The presence of players like Malcom, formerly of Corinthians, also draws attention from Brazilian audiences.

Accessible broadcast

The Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal match will have extensive coverage in Brazil, with options for all audiences. Globo broadcasts on free-to-air TV, while Sportv airs on cable. For streaming, Globoplay, Cazé TV (via YouTube, Disney+, and Prime Video), and DAZN offer live coverage.

• Channels and platforms:
  • Free-to-air TV: Globo.
  • Cable TV: Sportv.
  • Streaming: Globoplay, Cazé TV, DAZN.
  • Real-time: ge (follow the play-by-play live).

The broadcast accessibility reflects the match’s significance, expected to draw millions of viewers worldwide. Cazé TV, in particular, stands out for its free YouTube coverage, democratizing access to the tournament.

Refereeing and match details

The match will be officiated by Argentine Facundo Tello, assisted by Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, also from Argentina. The fourth official is César Ramos from Mexico. South American refereeing is known for its strictness, which could influence the game’s tempo, especially with high-skill players on the pitch.

Hard Rock Stadium, the match venue, is one of the tournament’s most modern arenas, with a capacity for over 65,000 fans. A full house is expected, with supporters of both clubs and global soccer fans drawn by the clash of two giants.

Numbers and trivia

Real Madrid is the Club World Cup’s biggest winner, with nine titles (1960, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2024). Al-Hilal seeks its first global trophy after finishing as runner-up in 2022. The 2025 Club World Cup is the first with 32 teams, increasing the tournament’s competitiveness.

• Historical facts:
  • Real Madrid has won all five of its last World Cup opening matches.
  • Al-Hilal scored in every game at the 2022 World Cup.
  • Vinícius Júnior is Real Madrid’s top World Cup scorer, with three goals.

The Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal clash is more than an opening game. It represents a showdown between European tradition and the rise of Asian soccer, with two top-tier coaches aiming to establish their philosophies. The match has all the ingredients for a spectacle, with stars on the pitch and the promise of attacking, competitive soccer.