The list of the top 32 teams for the 2025 World Club Cup has been finalized with Botafogo's victory in the Copa Libertadores final. Among them, the most anticipated by Chinese football fans is Zhou Tong, a 34-year-old Chinese veteran playing for Auckland City, who will be the only Chinese player in the competition and has the potential to compete against Messi, which undoubtedly fills many Chinese fans with excitement for this grand football event.
Looking at the list of 32 teams, the European region shines brightly with 14 participating teams, including Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, winners of the past three UEFA Champions League titles, as well as traditional giants such as Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Milan. These teams boast some of the world's top football stars, and their clashes have always been a highlight of the World Club Cup. Their participation is sure to deliver a series of spectacular matches for fans.
Four Asian teams have qualified for the competition: Al-Hilal Riyadh, Urawa Red Diamonds, Ulsan HD, and Al Ain. Although no Chinese Super League teams made it, these four teams have performed well in the AFC Champions League and are competitive. They will represent Asian football on the World Club Cup stage, competing against teams from other continents.
Four African teams - Wydad, Zamalek, Espérance de Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns - secured their spots in the World Club Cup through their excellent performances in the CAF Champions League. The CONCACAF region has five teams in the mix: Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, León, Pachuca, and Miami International, the latter qualifying as host.
The six South American teams are particularly strong, including Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, River Plate, and newly crowned Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo. Their participation intensifies the competition, and the technical finesse and flamboyant attacking play of South American teams add to the spectacle of the matches.
Auckland City, the sole representative from Oceania, has drawn the attention of many Chinese fans due to Zhou Tong's presence. Zhou Tong trained at the Beijing Guoan youth academy and has extensive experience in domestic leagues after moving around. He joined the New Zealand team Auckland City in February 2023 and has performed well in the local league. This is his second time participating in the World Club Cup with the team, a significant opportunity in his career and a rare appearance for a Chinese player in the competition. His performance is highly anticipated.
Notably, Miami International is also on the list, meaning Zhou Tong could have the chance to compete against Messi. As one of the most influential players in today's football world, Messi's skills and personal charm draw significant attention. Zhou Tong's "same stage" with Messi will be a major highlight of the World Club Cup, generating great anticipation among Chinese fans for this possible encounter.
Additionally, the draw for the new World Club Cup will take place at 2 AM Beijing time on December 6th in Miami, revealing the groupings of the teams. This will further ignite global fan interest and expectations for the 2025 World Club Cup. We can all look forward to seeing which teams will face off in the group stages and which powerhouses will emerge to meet in the final.