FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Group A Preview

With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup just two weeks away, each team will be preparing and adding some final touches going into what should be an intense and highly competitive tournament.

In this series, we will preview each of the eight groups and the teams in each of them. We’ll look at what makes each side tick, and predict the two teams who will progress to the knockouts.

So, without further ado, let us dive into Group A of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A Teams

• Al Ahly SC (Egypt | CAF)
• Inter Miami CF (USA | CONCACAF)
• SE Palmeiras (Brazil | CONMEBOL)
• FC Porto (Portugal | UEFA)

How did each team qualify?

As per the rules for qualification, a side has to either win the highest continental competition in its respective confederation between 2021 and 2024, or qualify through the confederation ranking system for the same period.

Al Ahly qualified for the tournament after winning the CAF Champions League — the highest continental competition in Africa — in 2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24. Inter Miami from the host nation qualified by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Palmeiras won the Copa Libertadores in 2021, while Porto finished as one of the highest-ranked sides in the UEFA club rankings.

Brief overview of each team

Porto look the most well-rounded and well-balanced side of the group. Led by their fiery striker Samu Aghehowa, the midfield elegance of Fábio Vieira, Alan Varela, and Marko Grujic, and talismanic goalkeeper Diogo Costa, they seem to have most of the bases covered. Pound for pound, you could make the argument that they are the best team in the group.

As far as the Floridians are concerned, any team featuring Lionel Messi in their ranks will always be considered as one of the favourites for the tournament. The Inter Miami squad might be ageing, but it also boasts loads of big-match experience with the likes of Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. These players know a thing or two about winning major trophies, which holds the team in good stead.

As far as Al Ahly and Palmeiras are concerned, while they are unknown quantities in comparison, the fact that they enter this tournament as continental champions means teams will think twice before taking them lightly.

Who makes it out of Group A?

While there is no doubt that Al Ahly and Palmeiras will be handfuls to deal with and cause problems, handling the might and expertise of Porto and Inter Miami is likely to prove too much.

We back Porto to win the group, with Inter Miami in second.