NEW JERSEY – Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo have secured their spots in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following a dramatic final round of group-stage matches on Monday.
PSG sealed their qualification with a 2-0 win over MLS champions Seattle Sounders, finishing the group stage with six points and a superior goal difference that saw them top the group.
Despite beating Botafogo 1-0 in their final match, Atletico Madrid were eliminated, becoming the latest high-profile casualty of the tournament. All three teams — PSG, Botafogo, and Atletico — ended the group stage level on six points. However, Atletico’s earlier 4-0 loss to PSG left them with a goal difference of -1, compared to Botafogo’s +1 and PSG’s +4.
The narrow margins meant Botafogo, with a better goal difference, advanced alongside PSG, while Atletico’s campaign ended at the group stage — a harsh outcome after two wins in three matches.
The revamped Club World Cup format sends the top two teams from each of the eight groups into the Round of 16, scheduled from June 28 to July 1. The quarter-finals will follow on July 4 and 5, with the semi-finals on July 8 and 9, and the final taking place on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
With eight clubs already through, anticipation is growing as global heavyweights prepare for the knockout battles.
Qualified Teams for the Round of 16 (so far):
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- CR Flamengo (Brazil)
- Juventus (Italy)
- Manchester City (England)
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Inter Miami (USA)
Eight more clubs will secure qualification in the coming days as the group stage concludes, setting the stage for a thrilling knockout phase in the race for global club supremacy.
