With more teams, more matches, and more global attention, fans are eager to know which clubs will compete for the prestigious. This post takes a closer look at the teams that have qualified and what makes this year’s competition special.

Overview of the Tournament Format

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time. This is a big change from the previous format, which only had seven clubs. The tournament will follow a group-stage and knockout-round system, similar to the FIFA World Cup for national teams.

The 32 teams are divided across six continental football confederations:

• UEFA (Europe) – 12 teams
  
• CONMEBOL (South America) – 6 teams
  
• AFC (Asia) – 4 teams
  
• CAF (Africa) – 4 teams
  
• CONCACAF (North and Central America, Caribbean) – 4 teams
  
• OFC (Oceania) – 1 team
  
• Host nation (USA) – 1 team
  

The group stage will have eight groups with four teams each. The top two from each group will move on to the Round of 16. From there, it’s a straight knockout competition until the final. This new format gives more clubs from around the world a chance to compete at the highest level.

List of Participating Teams by Confederation

UEFA (Europe) – 12 Teams

CONMEBOL (South America) – 6 Teams

AFC (Asia) – 4 Teams

CAF (Africa) – 4 Teams

CONCACAF (North & Central America) – 4 Teams + Host

OFC (Oceania) – 1 Team

Notable Debuts and Returns

Several clubs will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in 2025. Their qualification marks a major moment in their history.

First-Time Participants

• Inter Miami (USA) – This will be the club’s first-ever appearance, thanks to their host slot as the top American team.
  
• Botafogo (Brazil) – Their Copa Libertadores win secured them a debut at this level.
  
• Al Ain (UAE) – After winning the 2023–24 AFC Champions League, they join the Club World Cup for the first time under this expanded format.
  
• Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) – First appearance under the new 32-team setup.
  
• Los Angeles FC (USA) – Qualified through a special playoff and will make their debut.
  

 Returning Clubs

• Real Madrid (Spain) – A familiar face, with several past titles, now back to fight for another.
  
• Chelsea (England) – Returning after their 2021 Champions League win.
  
• Manchester City (England) – Back again after winning Europe’s top prize in 2023.
  
• Bayern Munich (Germany) – Past winners returning under the new format.
  
• Al Ahly (Egypt) – Regular representatives from Africa with deep experience in the competition.
  
• Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense (Brazil) – Recent Libertadores winners with past Club World Cup runs.
  
• Auckland City (New Zealand) – A constant in past editions from Oceania, returning again.
  

Conclusion

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup brings together 32 top clubs from six continents, showing just how wide the sport has grown. From champions in Europe and South America to emerging sides in Asia, Africa, and North America, this tournament offers a global stage for all.

Fans can look forward to exciting matchups like Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal, Manchester City vs. Flamengo, or even a possible home crowd clash with Inter Miami. With both fresh stories and long-standing rivalries, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one to remember.

The post What Teams Are Participating in the Club World Cup 2025? appeared first on Socios.com.

This revamped format introduces more matches, bigger names, and a tighter competition calendar. As excitement grows, here’s everything you need to know about the match dates and structure of the 2025 Club World Cup.

Here are the key details for the Group Stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, focusing on match fixtures and venues:

Group Stage Fixtures

The Group Stage runs from June 14 to June 26, with 32 clubs split into eight groups of four. Each team plays three single-round matches, and the top two from each group progress to the Round of 16.

Here’s a summary of each group:

• Group A – Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
  
• Group B – Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
  
• Group C – Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
  
• Group D – Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, LAFC
  
• Group E – River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
  
• Group F – Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns
  
• Group G – Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
  
• Group H – Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, FC Salzburg.

Group Stage Venues and Schedule

Matches are hosted across 12 U.S. stadiums in 11 cities. Notable venues include:

• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) – hosts opening match (June 14: Al Ahly vs Inter Miami).
  
• MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) – group matches, plus the Round of 16 and Semifinals.
  
• Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA) – iconic site for multiple group matches.
  
• Lumen Field (Seattle) – hosts all Group B games.
  

Other venues include Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), GEODIS Park (Nashville), Camping World and Inter&Co Stadiums (Orlando), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), and Audi Field (Washington, DC).

Group Stage Schedule Highlights

• Opening Day (June 14) kicks off with Al Ahly vs Inter Miami at 8 p.m. ET in Miami.
  
• Matches continue daily through June 26, spread over multiple cities—typically two or three matches per city each day
  
• All matches take place in major stadiums, mixing traditional venues like the Rose Bowl with newer venues like GEODIS Park and Inter&Co Stadium.

Knockout Stage Schedule

Here’s an overview of the Club World Cup 2025 Knockout Stage, with schedule details and venue assignments:

Round of 16 (June 28 – July 1, 2025)

The first knockout round begins June 28, featuring the top two clubs from each group. Matches conclude by July 1. Games are spread across key U.S. venues: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte), and TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), among others. These sites host 16 matches, filtering the field from 16 to 8 clubs.

Quarterfinals (July 4 – July 5, 2025)

The quarterfinals kick off July 4 and run through July 5. Eight clubs compete in single-elimination matches hosted in larger stadiums like MetLife, Rose Bowl, and Hard Rock. Anticipation builds as winners advance to the high-stakes semifinals .

Semifinals (July 8 – July 9, 2025) 

Semifinal matches unfold July 8 and 9. These include the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, planned venues in Miami, Seattle, and Atlanta. These games will decide which clubs make it through to the final showdown.

Grand Final (July 13, 2025)

The tournament concludes with the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ—where football fans gather for the deciding match of this expanded edition.

Key Dates to Remember

• June 14, 2025 – Opening Match
  The tournament kicks off with the host club or a high-profile clash featuring one of the top seeds. Likely venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
  
• June 28 – July 1, 2025 – Round of 16
  A pivotal stage where top clubs begin their knockout campaigns. Expect major showdowns across cities like Charlotte, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia.
  
• July 4 – 5, 2025 – Quarterfinal Highlights
  Watch for matchups featuring European giants, South American powerhouses, and upstart qualifiers. Venues will include Hard Rock Stadium and the Rose Bowl.
  
• July 8 – 9, 2025 – Semifinals
  Key title contenders clash in matches likely hosted at Lumen Field, Mercedes-Benz, and MetLife stadiums.
  
• July 13, 2025 – Grand Final at MetLife Stadium
  The most anticipated match of the tournament. Scheduled to draw a massive international audience and packed stadium.
  

Travel and Rest Days

• June 22 & June 26 – Rest days for teams between final group matches and Round of 16.
  
• July 2 – July 3 – Buffer before the quarterfinals.
  
• July 6 – 7 – Designated for recovery and travel before semifinals.
  
• July 10 – 12 – Rest period ahead of the final. Teams will likely relocate to New Jersey during this window.
  

Viewing Information

Broadcast Partners

• FOX Sports (TV)
• Tubi (free streaming)
• BBC iPlayer
• Sky Sports
• TelevisaUnivision
• DirecTV Sports
• SuperSport
• Sony Sports Network (India)
• DAZN (Japan)
  

Time Zones and Kickoff Times

• Most matches will kick off between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM ET, depending on venue.
  
• West Coast games (like those in Seattle or LA) will align with Pacific Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM PT.
  

Viewers in Europe should expect evening or late-night viewing windows (7:00 PM to 3:00 AM CET).

The post Club World Cup 2025 Schedule and Match Dates appeared first on Socios.com.

There’s a particular kind of pressure that descends on a club like Paris Saint-Germain at this time of year. The floodlights grow harsher, the cameras draw closer, and the weight of expectation—measured not just in years, but in billions—settles heavily on every touch, every pass, every glance toward goal. In Munich this Saturday, PSG once again stand on the brink of history, chasing a prize that has eluded them through eras of dominance at home and heartbreak abroad. European Glory. The missing jewel in the Qatari-era crown. The final hurdle in their pursuit of a historic Treble.

They’ve done their domestic homework. The French Cup secured. Ligue 1 reclaimed. But for all their investment, all their reboots and reinventions, continental glory has remained tantalisingly out of reach. For a club that has become synonymous with opulence and ambition, this is more than just a final. It’s a reckoning.

Standing in their way: Inter Milan, weathered, wily, and wounded. Finalists two seasons ago, denied by Manchester City’s metronomic perfection, they return with unfinished business and a different kind of hunger. A side forged more in resilience than riches, Inter have been formidable in Europe even as domestic honours slipped through their grasp. The Scudetto was theirs to win, and yet a draw against Lazio two weeks ago saw it drift south to Napoli. It stung. And now, for Simone Inzaghi, a manager perennially just outside the spotlight, Saturday night represents a shot at redemption—and perhaps validation.

Inter know what a Treble looks like. They lived it in 2010 under Jose Mourinho, when they surged through Europe with relentless belief. For PSG, it’s a dream not yet realised. For Inter, this final trophy offering this season is the missing piece of the puzzle for Inzaghi. And so Munich becomes more than a battleground for silverware. It’s a collision of ideologies, of footballing narratives, and of clubs desperate to define an era on their terms.

Trebles are notoriously difficult to win. To master on every front, to sweep all sorts of opposition, with each match getting more difficult as the cups evolve, PSG have it all on their hands. 

Inter, a stubborn defence, an experienced midfield and a formidable front line. PSG, exciting, visibly calmer this season, with no standout super-heroes grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons. It’s a new era for them under the controlled Luis Enrique, but in truth both bosses share a similar style. The touchline will be fire as both managers dance on the burning embers of emotion. 

Team news: full strength for the final

Perhaps in the form of a rare treat, both managers have all their cards available to them. The way their domestic seasons phased out allowed them to rest key players at the right time. This is the best news for us, the fans, wanting to see both teams go at it full throttle.

Leading from the wings

As pressure mounts, and this is an increasingly sensitive topic in modern-day football, both managers look ahead with nervous anticipation. They’ve both lived it all as players, both as managers, and now lock horns in a moment which will redefine their careers. The two clubs, on paper, look inseparable. It’s not a clear-cut case of defence v attack. Inter own a defensive reputation, but looking at their front line, and the ability of their wing backs to find the net, PSG would be foolish to ignore the flanks.

PSG’s front line took Europe by surprise, as Ousmane Dembélé stuck it to his critics with 8 continental goals. Lautaro Martínez, perhaps to no surprise, led the line for Inter with 9. Needless to say, they are the ones to watch, but Denzel Dumfries is always up for the big occasion, and look out for Achraf Hakimi, with five assists this season. 

This match should set the stage for wing-backs to impress and provide ammunition to their hungry forwards. 

Goals, tears, glory

One thing is for certain, even if goals fail to flow, tears certainly will after the final whistle. The season’s climax takes it out of the players. PSG will feel like a domestic double is not enough, while Inter would end a promising season trophyless. One win, one match, changes the narrative for both sides, and it all comes down to who steps up on the day. They are rested, recovered and read. 

And so, as the shadows stretch across the Allianz Arena and the world turns its gaze to Munich, two stories converge—one of relentless ambition, the other of restless tradition. For PSG, this could be the culmination of a decade-long crusade, the night when all the money, the marquee names, the near-misses finally fuse into glory. For Inter, it’s a chance to reclaim their place among Europe’s elite, to remind the world that legacy is earned not just in moments, but in how a club rises after falling short.

This isn’t just a final. It’s a finale—the climax of a season, a summation of identity, a crossroads of what football has become and what it still dreams to be. Ninety minutes, maybe more, to settle everything. And only one partner club will wake up on Sunday as champions of Europe.

The post Back by Socios.com, PSG and Inter eye final prize appeared first on Socios.com.

Numerous big obstacles await The Gunners, and here, we’ll look at where those fixtures take place as Mikel Arteta’s side look to claim glory.

Key Highlights and Marquee Matches

• October 27 – Arsenal vs. Liverpool
• November 10 – Chelsea vs. Arsenal
• December 3 – Arsenal vs. Manchester United
• January 14 – Arsenal vs. Spurs
• February 1 – Arsenal vs. Manchester City
• March 8 – Manchester United vs. Arsenal
• May 10 – Liverpool vs. Arsenal
  

Arsenal’s key games this season will come against fellow title challengers and traditional rivals as they look to claim the Premier League crown.

Fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool could be vital, and they go to Anfield in the final month of the season in a game that could have huge implications for the title race.

Home Matches at Arsenal F.C Stadium

• October 27 vs. Liverpool
• December 3 vs. Manchester United
• January 14 vs. Spurs
• February 1 vs. Manchester City

Arsenal have turned their Emirates Stadium into a fortress in recent seasons and they’ll be hoping they can do the same this year.

Their big tests at home have been listed and they’ll be confident they can pick up maximum points with their fans showing huge support. 

Away Fixtures 

• November 10 vs. Chelsea
• March 8 vs. Manchester United
• May 10 vs. Liverpool

All eyes for Arsenal fans will be on Anfield as they go to one of the most intimidating grounds in world football to face Liverpool.

That fixture could decide the destination of the Premier League title and it’s one Arsenal fans won’t be looking forward to.

Arsenal F.C UEFA Champions League Matches

• September 10 – Atalanta vs. Arsenal
• October 1 – Arsenal vs. PSG
• October 22 – Arsenal vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
• November 6 – Inter Milan vs. Arsenal
• November 26 – Sporting Lisbon vs. Arsenal
• December 11 – Arsenal vs. Monaco
• January 22 – Arsenal vs. Dinamo Zagreb
• January 29 – Girona vs. Arsenal

Arsenal F.C at FA Cup

Arsenal will begin their FA Cup campaign in January 2025.

What are Fan Tokens

A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.

Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards

Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways.

You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Fan Tokens.

The post Arsenal F.C. 2024-2025 Schedule: A Full Breakdown of This Season’s Matches appeared first on Socios.com.

For Atletico Madrid, attention immediately turns to when they will come up against their great city rivals, Real Madrid. While Real usually come out on top, there have been more than enough moments of dominance for the ‘other’ Madrid side for them to stay ambitious.

There are other top teams who have history with Atletico, with Barcelona proving to be stern competition at times, and nascent challengers Girona could also prove to be difficult opponents once more.

Key Highlights and Marquee Matches

Atletico Madrid’s two fixtures against Real Madrid will – in almost every case – be the most important matches of the season for the club’s fans. They face them at home on September 29 and away a few months later on February 9.

However, if Diego Simeone is to mount a consistent and sustained title challenge after a few years off the boil, he will need to be victorious against the league’s other big sides. Newly equipped Girona may need their confidence dented, with the matches between the two sides on August 25  in Madrid and May 25 in Catalonia.

Another Catalan danger is Barcelona, and the two teams meet on December 22 away from home, and March 16 at the Civitas Metropolitano.

Of course, Atletico are also in Europe’s premier club competition, the Champions League, and their toughest fixture appears to be Paris Saint-Germain in France, on November 26.

La Liga Campaign

Now seemingly a permanent fixture at the Civitas Metrapolitano, Diego Simeone has adjusted his side with a busy transfer window, bringing in Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez after some big spending.

Antoine Griezmann has remained for what is probably his final season in Spain before he decamps to MLS football, and they will need all his experience to mount a title challenge.

Two key fixtures are against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, current European champions and now buttressed by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe. They play at home on September 29 and later away on February 9.

Early league leaders Barcelona have added Dani Olmo to their attacking line-up, and with Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal in tow, they offer a real threat. The two teams meet on December 22 in Barcelona, and March 16 in Madrid.

And, of course, another well put together Catalan side, Girona, offer tough tests for any side this season. Atletico face them on August 25  in Madrid and May 25 in Girona.

For Atletico Madrid, they will need to hope star players like Alvarez, Gallagher and Griezmann stay fit, as they can’t boast the deep squad that Real Madrid possess. They also need to be at the top of their game if they are to match some of the superstar-stuffed sides they will be meeting.

Home Matches at Civitas Metropolitano

The cauldron of intimidation that the Atletico Madrid fans can conjure up at home is one of the club’s biggest strengths. When even the most experienced sides come to meet Diego Simeone’s side on their home turf, they can find themselves immediately on the back foot and unsettled.

• Aug 19: Villarreal v Atletico Madrid
• Aug 31: Athletic Club v Atletico Madrid
• Sep 22: Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid
• Sep 26: Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid
• Oct 6: Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid 
• Oct 27: Real Betis v Atletico Madrid
• Nov 10: Real Mallorca v Atletico Madrid
• Dec 1: Real Valladolid v Atletico Madrid
• Dec 22: Barcelona v Atletico Madrid
• Jan 19: Leganes v Atletico Madrid
• Feb 9: Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
• Feb 23: Valencia v Atletico Madrid
• Mar 9: Getafe v Atletico Madrid
• Mar 30: Espanyol v Atletico Madrid
• Apr 6: Sevilla v Atletico Madrid
• Apr 20: Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid
• May 4: Alaves v Atletico Madrid
• May 14: Osasuna v Atletico Madrid
• May 25: Girona v Atletico Madrid

Away Fixtures

When Atletico are at their best, they are well suited to the challenge of playing away from home. With their trademark sturdy defence, they can absorb endless pressure, and with Antoine Griezmann’s guile and the attacking threat of Julian Alvarez and others, coupled with Conor Gallagher’s hard running, they can spring successful counterattacks against top sides. Their attacking nous also unlocks the massed defence of La Liga’s smaller sides.

They will travel to Real Madrid on February 9, Barcelona on December 22, and face Girona on August 25.

• Aug 25: Atletico Madrid v Girona 
• Aug 28: Atletico Madrid v Espanyol
• Sep 15: Atletico Madrid v Valencia
• Sep 29: Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
• Oct 20: Atletico Madrid v Leganes
• Nov 3: Atletico Madrid v Las Palmas
• Nov 24: Atletico Madrid v Alaves
• Dec 8: Atletico Madrid v Sevilla
• Dec 15: Atletico Madrid v Getafe
• Jan 11: Atletico Madrid v Osasuna
• Jan 21: Atletico Madrid v Villarreal
• Feb 2: Atletico Madrid v Real Mallorca
• Feb 16: Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo
• Mar 2: Atletico Madrid v Athletic Club
• Mar 16: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
• Apr 13: Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid
• April 23: Atletico Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
• May 11: Atletico Madrid v Real Sociedad
• May 19: Atletico Madrid v Real Betis

Atlético de Madrid UEFA Champions League Schedule

Atletico Madrid began well, with a victory over RB Leipzig in dramatic circumstances. They also have some tougher matches to come with a trip to French champions Paris Saint-Germain in November. They also have to take on the excellent Bayer Leverkusen on January 21 next year.

While Simeone will know that Champions League glory is unlikely, they have enough favourable fixtures against teams such as Sparta PRague and Slovan Bratislava to qualify for the knockout stages.

Group Stage Matches

Atletico Madrid need to maximise their chances against smaller sides such as Sparta, SK, and maybe even Red Bull Salzburg, Benfica and Lille. However, the latter three are not likely to roll over, and finding their way through to qualify for the later rounds will depend on their ability to inflict some defeats on bigger names too.

For Atletico and Simeone, taking an aggressive approach may be necessary, focusing on the talents of Griezmann, Alvarez and other forwards.

• Sep 19: Atletico Madrid v RB Leipzig
• Oct 2: Benfica v Atletico Madrid
• Oct 23: Atletico Madrid v Lille
• Nov 6: Paris Saint-Germain v Atletico Madrid
• Nov 26: Sparta Prague v Atletico Madrid
• Dec 11: Atletico Madrid v SK Slovan Bratislava
• Jan 21: Atletico Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen
• Jan 29: Red Bull Salzburg v Atletico Madrid

The post Atlético de Madrid Schedule 2024-2025: A Comprehensive Guide to the Season’s Matches appeared first on Socios.com.

Here, we look at a number of key City fixtures that could help or hinder their Premier League dreams.

Key Highlights and Marquee Matches

• December 1 – Liverpool vs. Manchester City
• December 14 – Manchester City vs. Manchester United
• February 1 – Arsenal vs. Manchester City
• February 22 – Manchester City vs. Liverpool
• April 5 – Manchester United vs. Manchester City
  

The key month for Manchester City will be February when they play both Arsenal and Liverpool in games that could decide the Premier League title.

These fixtures have been key to City in recent seasons and it could be the same this time around.

Home Matches at Manchester City F.C. Stadium

• December 14 vs. Manchester United
• February 22 vs. Liverpool

Two of City’s biggest rivals still have to go to the Etihad, and they’ll be looking to make home advantage count against Manchester United and Liverpool.

Victories in these games could be significant if City wish to win the Premier League. 

Away Fixtures 

• December 1 vs. Liverpool
• February 1 vs. Arsenal
• April 5 vs. Manchester United

If City are to retain their crown, then claiming positive results at Liverpool and Arsenal will be crucial and they’ll need to do it without Rodri.

These fixtures have been epic occasions in recent seasons and it could be the same during this campaign.

Manchester City UEFA Champions League Matches

• September 18 – Manchester City vs. Inter Milan
• October 1 – Slovan Bratislava vs. Manchester City
• October 23 – Manchester City vs. Sparta Prague
• November 5 – Sporting Lisbon vs. Manchester City
• November 26 – Feyenoord vs. Manchester City
• December 11 – Juventus vs. Manchester City
• January 22 – PSG vs. Manchester City
• January 29 – Manchester City vs. Brugge

Manchester City at FA Cup

Manchester City will begin their FA Cup campaign in January 2025.

What are Fan Tokens

A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.

Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards

Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways.

You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Fan Tokens.

The post Manchester City 2024-2025 Schedule: A Full Breakdown of This Season’s Matches appeared first on Socios.com.

But it’s back with a twist. It is undergoing the most significant alteration since its reinvention out of the European Cup back in 1992, adopting a longer league structure instead of the group stages. It will mean extra games, but it will also ensure bigger UEFA teams will play a wider range of opponents and that there is more to play for in the group stages than previously, where teams would often qualify after just four games. 

We will break down everything you need to know about the Champions League changes, answer the key questions, and examine the intricacies of the new football tournament structure  that has turned the competition on its head. 

Overview of the New UEFA Champions League Format 

Instead of groups of four battling it out for two qualifying spots for the Round Of 16, it will be a 36 team league. Teams will now have eight different matches in the new league phase.

Teams will not play each other twice – instead, it will be a one-match shootout between two teams desperate for points to climb the ladder. It depends on the draw whether the game is played at home or away – but each team is guaranteed to play four games at home and four away throughout the league stage. 

How the New Format Works 

To determine these eight opponents, the participating teams will be ranked initially into four seeding pots. Each team will then be drawn to play against two opponents from each of these four pots. This means that each team will play one match at home and one away against a team from each pot.

There remains three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. If two or more teams finish level on points, it will come down to goal difference. If that’s level, most goals scored is the next tiebreaker. 

The top eight teams qualify automatically for the Round Of 16, while the teams finishing between 9th and 24th will participate in a playoff. The winners will advance to the next round but – unlike in previous Champions League iterations – there is no Europa League qualification to soften the blow. 

If the team doesn’t make it through the first qualifying stage in the new look Champions League, their European dream is over. 

Key Dates

The new league format runs from 17th September 2024 to 29th January 2025. There will be a six week break between matchday six (December 10th/11th 2023) and matchday seven (21st/22nd January 2025) as teams navigate a busy period of domestic action.

The rest of the key dates are as follows: 

• Knockout round play-offs: 11th/12th & 18th/19th February 2025 
• Round of 16: 4th/5th & 11th/12th March 2025 
• Quarter-finals: 8th/9th & 15th/16th April 2025 
• Semi-finals: 29th/30th April & 6th/7th May 2025 
• Final: 31st May 2025

The Teams Involved

Lots of eyes will be on Real Madrid – they have won the European Cup/Champions League an incredible 15 times. No team comes close to them – AC Milan are next with seven titles to their name. Los Blancos have likely cemented their status as Europe’s most successful team for the next few decades.

Manchester City are one of the favourites. Last year’s quarter-finalists had won the treble the year before and remain nigh-on impregnable under the leadership of Pep Guardiola. 

The likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG, Liverpool, and Arsenal will also be aiming for a successful year, though it’s difficult to see how all the typical favourites deal with the new format. 

Aston Villa return to the big time for the first time since the 1982-83 campaign – can Unai Emery land yet another major European trophy?

Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, and PSV Eindhoven are also aiming for a return to halcyon days in the continent’s elite competition, but which teams can navigate the new league stage safely?

All the Matches in the First Phase

Here’s the official UEFA match schedule ahead of the Champions League league phase:

Tuesday, Sept. 17

• Young Boys vs. Aston Villa: Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, Switzerland
• Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
• AC Milan vs. Liverpool: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Bayern Munich vs. Dinamo Zagreb: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• Real Madrid vs. Stuttgart: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Sporting CP vs. Lille: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal

Wednesday, Sept. 18

• Sparta Prague vs. Salzburg: Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
• Bologna vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
• Celtic vs. Slovan Bratislava: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland
• Club Brugge vs. Borussia Dortmund: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium
• Manchester City vs. Internazionale: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Girona: Parc des Princes, Paris, France

Thursday, Sept. 19

• Feyenoord vs. Bayer Leverkusen: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica: Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade, Serbia
• Monaco vs. Barcelona: Stade Louis II, Monaco
• Atalanta vs. Arsenal: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
• Atlético Madrid vs. RB Leipzig: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Brest vs. Sturm Graz: Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France

Tuesday, Oct. 1

• Salzburg vs. Brest: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria
• Stuttgart vs. Sparta Prague: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany
• Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Emirates Stadium, London, England
• Bayer Leverkusen vs. AC Milan: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
• Borussia Dortmund vs. Celtic: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
• Barcelona vs. Young Boys: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• Internazionale vs. Red Star Belgrade: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• PSV Eindhoven vs. Sporting CP: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
• Slovan Bratislava vs. Manchester City: Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia

Wednesday, Oct. 2

• Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Atalanta: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine
• Girona vs. Feyenoord: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain
• Aston Villa vs. Bayern Munich: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
• Dinamo Zagreb vs. Monaco: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
• Liverpool vs. Bologna: Anfield, Liverpool, England
• Lille vs. Real Madrid: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France
• RB Leipzig vs. Juventus: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
• Sturm Graz vs. Club Brugge: Merkur Arena, Graz, Austria
• Benfica vs. Atlético Madrid: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

Tuesday, Oct. 22

• AC Milan vs. Club Brugge: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Monaco vs. Red Star Belgrade: Stade Louis II, Monaco
• Arsenal vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: Emirates Stadium, London, England
• Aston Villa vs. Bologna: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
• Girona vs. Slovan Bratislava: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain
• Juventus vs. Stuttgart: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
• Paris Saint-Germain vs. PSV Eindhoven: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
• Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Sturm Graz vs. Sporting CP: Merkur Arena, Graz, Austria

Wednesday, Oct. 23

• Atalanta vs. Celtic: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
• Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France
• Atlético Madrid vs. Lille: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Young Boys vs. Internazionale: Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, Switzerland
• Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• Salzburg vs. Dinamo Zagreb: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria
• Manchester City vs. Sparta Prague: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
• RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
• Benfica vs. Feyenoord: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

Tuesday, Nov. 5

• PSV Eindhoven vs. Girona: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
• Slovan Bratislava vs. Dinamo Zagreb: Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia
• Bologna vs. Monaco: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
• Borussia Dortmund vs. Sturm Graz: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
• Celtic vs. RB Leipzig: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland
• Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Anfield, Liverpool, England
• Lille vs. Juventus: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France
• Real Madrid vs. AC Milan: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Sporting CP vs. Manchester City: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal

Wednesday, Nov. 6

• Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium
• Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Young Boys: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine
• Sparta Prague vs. Brest: Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
• Bayern Munich vs. Benfica: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• Internazionale vs. Arsenal: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Feyenoord vs. Salzburg: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Red Star Belgrade vs. Barcelona: Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade, Serbia
• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
• Stuttgart vs. Atalanta: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany

Tuesday, Nov. 26

• Sparta Prague vs. Atlético Madrid: Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
• Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan: Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia
• Bayer Leverkusen vs. Salzburg: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
• Young Boys vs. Atalanta: Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, Switzerland
• Barcelona vs. Brest: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• Internazionale vs. RB Leipzig: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Manchester City vs. Feyenoord: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
• Sporting CP vs. Arsenal: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal

Wednesday, Nov. 27

• Red Star Belgrade vs. Stuttgart: Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade, Serbia
• Sturm Graz vs. Girona: Merkur Arena, Graz, Austria
• Monaco vs. Benfica: Stade Louis II, Monaco
• Aston Villa vs. Juventus: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
• Bologna vs. Lille: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
• Celtic vs. Club Brugge: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland
• Dinamo Zagreb vs. Borussia Dortmund: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
• Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: Anfield, Liverpool, England
• PSV Eindhoven vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Tuesday, Dec. 10

• Girona vs. Liverpool: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain
• Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
• Atalanta vs. Real Madrid: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
• Bayer Leverkusen vs. Internazionale: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
• Club Brugge vs. Sporting CP: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium
• Salzburg vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria
• Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine
• RB Leipzig vs. Aston Villa: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
• Brest vs. PSV Eindhoven: Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France

Wednesday, Dec. 11

• Atlético Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Lille vs. Sturm Graz: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France
• AC Milan vs. Red Star Belgrade: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Arsenal vs. Monaco: Emirates Stadium, London, England
• Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
• Feyenoord vs. Sparta Prague: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Juventus vs. Manchester City: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
• Benfica vs. Bologna: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
• Stuttgart vs. Young Boys: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany

Tuesday, Jan. 21

• Monaco vs. Aston Villa: Stade Louis II, Monaco
• Atalanta vs. Sturm Graz: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
• Atlético Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Bologna vs. Borussia Dortmund: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
• Club Brugge vs. Juventus: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium
• Red Star Belgrade vs. PSV Eindhoven: Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade, Serbia
• Liverpool vs. Lille: Anfield, Liverpool, England
• Slovan Bratislava vs. Stuttgart: Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia
• Benfica vs. Barcelona: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

Wednesday, Jan. 22

• Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Brest: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine
• RB Leipzig vs. Sporting CP: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
• AC Milan vs. Girona: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Sparta Prague vs. Internazionale: Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
• Arsenal vs. Dinamo Zagreb: Emirates Stadium, London, England
• Celtic vs. Young Boys: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland
• Feyenoord vs. Bayern Munich: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
• Real Madrid vs. Salzburg: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain

Wednesday, Jan. 29

• Aston Villa vs. Celtic: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
• Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
• Borussia Dortmund vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
• Young Boys vs. Red Star Belgrade: Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, Switzerland
• Barcelona vs. Atalanta: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• Bayern Munich vs. Slovan Bratislava: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• Internazionale vs. Monaco: San Siro, Milan, Italy
• Salzburg vs. Atlético Madrid: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria
• Girona vs. Arsenal: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain
• Dinamo Zagreb vs. AC Milan: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
• Juventus vs. Benfica: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
• Lille vs. Feyenoord: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France
• Manchester City vs. Club Brugge: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
• PSV Eindhoven vs. Liverpool: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
• Sturm Graz vs. RB Leipzig: Merkur Arena, Graz, Austria
• Sporting CP vs. Bologna: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
• Brest vs. Real Madrid: Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France
• Stuttgart vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany

Impact on Participating Teams

It’s going to be fascinating to see how the league takes shape over a longer format and with more riding on every game. 

Every single point matters – the better the finishing position in the league, the likelier of advancement. Instead of just three teams to beat to the next round, there are now 35 to worry about. It’s going to introduce a whole new set of dynamics. 

Managers won’t like the additional workload on players. Bigger squads may opt to rotate their teams, even if qualification isn’t totally secured. 

What Fans Can Expect

The new UEFA Champions League format has divided fans. Some are resistant to the shift, weary of changing too much, too fast and saturating to level of competition. 

Others are much more receptive to the idea, acknowledging that all sport must continue to evolve if it is to survive and thrive. 

Whatever side of the fence they sit, fans can expect a longer and more competitive group stage than previously, with more action enabling a fairer reflection of the in-form teams throughout the competition. 

The post New Format of the UEFA Champions League appeared first on Socios.com.

Paulo Fonseca is the new man in charge at the San Siro Stadium and he’ll be hoping he can make an instant impact.

Key Signings

The big signing so far for Milan is that of Spanish international, Alvaro Morata. The veteran striker was a huge star at Euro 2024, and he’ll be hoping to maintain that form at his new club.

Elsewhere, Milan have also made two low key signings with Samuele Longo and Alex Jiminez also joining the club.

Notable Departures

The key departure from Milan has been the exit of Oliver Giroud who has left the club to play in America.

Rade Krunić has also left to sign for Fenerbahce and it’s also the end of the road at Milan for Simon Kjaer who was at the club for four years.

Transfer Strategy and Objectives

Fonseca will have a long-term plan at Milan so it’s currently unclear what his plan is at this stage of his reign.

The new manager may want to see what he has at his disposal before deciding on new additions and that could see Milan having a busy January.

For now, Morata is the main signing and there’s hopes his performances could give Milan a huge push in the title race.

Key Fixtures and Challenges

The major issue for Milan will be closing the gap on Inter and also holding off Juventus.

The standards have always been high at Milan and the club always believe they should be challenging for the top honours.

If Milan can make a positive start under their new manager, then it can instantly put pressure on Inter in what could be a fascinating battle for the crown.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

Milan fans always expect their team to compete for the title and this coming season will be no different.

Milan has a new manager and will want to strengthen their squad, but chasing down Inter will be a big priority.

Their supporters may have to be patient as Fonseca puts his ideas into place, but a decent title push may be enough to satisfy their hunger.

What are Fan Tokens

A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.

Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards

Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways.

You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Fan Tokens.

The post AC Milan Transfers and Departures for the 2024-2025 Season appeared first on Socios.com.

Here, we’ll look at the new season start dates and when the biggest teams get their action underway.

Premier League

The English Premier League will begin on August 16 as Manchester City look to make it five titles in a row.

Can anybody stop Pep Guardiola’s side? Arsenal and Liverpool may fancy their chances.

La Liga

La Liga kicks off on August 15 as the best teams in Spain get another season up and running.

Will anyone be able to take on the might of Real Madrid who now have Kylian Mbappe amongst their ranks?

Serie A

Inter Milan are the defending champions in Italy and their league gets underway on August 17.

Numerous teams have spent big this summer, but will that be enough to dethrone Inter?

Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen caused a huge shock in Germany last season when they strolled to the title.

Will they be able to overcome the threat of Bayern Munich and retain their crown when things start again on August 23.

Ligue 1

How will PSG cope after losing Kylian Mbappe when the French league starts on August 16.

Marseille have been busy this summer and they’ll be confident they can test the current champions.

Primeira Liga

A three-horse race for the title usually takes place for the Portuguese title and it should be the same this season when it starts on August 9

Sporting Lisbon are the defending champions and they’ll be pushed hard in their pursuit of another league win by Porto and Benfica.

Süper Lig

Galatasaray looked close to unstoppable last season as they won the league with over 100 points.

Fenerbahce will want to overtake them this season and they’ve got Jose Mourinho to help them when the league starts on August 9.

What are Fan Tokens

A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.

Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards

Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways.

You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Fan Tokens.

The post When do the football European leagues start? appeared first on Socios.com.

The eyes of the world will be watching Argentina as they look to build on their World Cup and Copa America successes by adding Olympic gold.

Here, we look at Argentina in the 2024 Olympics.

Composition of the Squad

• GK: Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal CF)
• GK: Leandro Brey (Boca Juniors)
• DF: Marco Di Cesare (Racing Club)
• DF: Julio Soler (Lanús)
• DF: Gonzalo Lujan (San Lorenzo)
• DF: Joaquin Garcia (Vélez Sarseld)
• DF: Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica)
• DF: Bruno Amione (Club Santos Laguna)
• MF: Ezequiel Fernandez (Boca Juniors)
• MF: Kevin Zenon (Boca Juniors)
• MF: Cristian Medina (Boca Juniors)
• MF: Thiago Almada (Botafogo)
• MF: Claudio Echeverri (River Plate)
• MF: Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos)
• FW: Luciano Gondou (Argentinos Juniors)
• FW: Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
• FW: Giuliano Simeone (Deportivo Alaves)
• FW: Lucas Beltran (Fiorentina)

The team will be managed by former Liverpool and Barcelona star, Javier Mascherano.

Key Players to Watch

Julian Alvarez of Manchester City will be Argentina’s key player as he looks to fire his nation to Olympic glory.

As well as Alvarez, Argentina will also be bolstered by the inclusion of Nicolas Otamendi and they’ll be hoping they can rely on the defender’s experience.

Fiorentina’s Lucas Beltran could also be on to keep an eye on after impressing in Serie A last season.

Expectations for Argentina’s Performance

Argentina enter every football tournament in recent times with serious hopes of doing well and even claiming the trophy.

Their performances at the 2022 World Cup and this year’s Copa America were every impressive and they’ll be very confident they can add Olympic glory to their impressive list of honours.

Javier Mascherano is taking small steps in management, and he’ll want to enhance his already glittering reputation by guiding his nation to a gold medal.

Managerial Decisions and Strategy

Still relatively new to management, Mascherano is still carving out his own identity on his team after taking the Argentina U20 job in 2021.

A ferocious player who was full of energy as well as being clam on the ball, Mascherano was one of his generation’s best players.

Playing under Rafael Benitez and Pep Guardiola, Mascherano was exposed to some outstanding football strategies, and he’ll be hopeful he can borrow from both his former bosses.

It’s already clear he favours an energetic, possession-based strategy and he’ll be eager for his team to dominate the ball in their opponent’s half.

What are Fan Tokens

A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.

Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards

Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways.

You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Fan Tokens.

The post Olympic Games 2024 Argentina Squad Announcement: List of Players appeared first on Socios.com.