The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 marked a significant expansion from its previous format, hosting 32 clubs across six confederations in 12 U.S. venues. Running from June 15 to July 13, it provided high-stakes matches that doubled as preseason tune-ups for many European giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea emerged as champions, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The tournament's knockout stage delivered thrilling encounters.
Key results from the tournament included:
| Stage | Date | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | July 13 | Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain | 3-0 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Semifinals | July 8 | Fluminense vs Chelsea | 0-2 | U.S. Stadium |
| Semifinals | July 9 | Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich | 1-0 | U.S. Stadium |
| Quarterfinals | July 4 | Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal | 2-1 | Various U.S. stadiums |
Chelsea's victory made them the inaugural winners under the new format, with standout performances from players like Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer. For clubs involved, this tournament replaced much of their typical preseason, leading to shorter friendly schedules afterward.
The Premier League Summer Series returned for its third edition, featuring four clubs—AFC Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United, and West Ham United—playing in a round-robin format across three U.S. venues from July 26 to August 3. This series aimed to build fan engagement in North America while allowing teams to fine-tune tactics. Manchester United dominated, remaining unbeaten with two wins and a draw to claim the title with seven points.
Here are the fixtures and results:
| Date | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 26 | Everton vs AFC Bournemouth | 1-2 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| July 26 | Manchester United vs West Ham United | 3-1 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| July 30 | West Ham United vs Everton | 2-1 | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| July 30 | Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth | 2-0 | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| August 3 | AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United | 1-1 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
| August 3 | Manchester United vs Everton | 2-2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
Final Standings:
Highlights included Marcus Rashford's brace for United against West Ham and a late equalizer in their draw with Everton.
With many top clubs recovering from the Club World Cup, preseason friendlies were more subdued in 2025. Here's a roundup by league, focusing on key results:
Beyond the Summer Series, Premier League teams played additional friendlies globally. Arsenal's tour in Asia stood out, with mixed results:
Other notable results:
Aston Villa toured the U.S. separately:
Clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, fresh from the Club World Cup, opted for limited games to prioritize recovery.
La Liga teams had abbreviated preseasons due to Club World Cup commitments. Real Madrid, eliminated in the quarterfinals, played just one friendly:
Barcelona focused on recovery, with a single warmup:
Their league opener was just days after, on August 16.
Serie A clubs ramped up in late July, with Juventus starting training on July 24. Key friendlies included:
AC Milan played several, including losses to Chelsea and Arsenal.
German teams held numerous friendlies in July and August. Bayern Munich, after a Club World Cup semifinal exit, played:
Other clubs like Borussia Dortmund toured Asia, with results like a 4-0 win over a Japanese select side. Preseason standouts included young talents like Jobe Bellingham.
MLS preseason occurred in January-February 2025, well before summer, with teams like Houston Dynamo drawing multiple games (e.g., 1-1 vs Cincinnati, 3-3 vs New England). Summer saw limited friendlies, including the Aston Villa tour mentioned above.
The summer of 2025 redefined soccer's offseason, with the FIFA Club World Cup adding a competitive edge to what is typically a period of low-stakes preparation. While tours like the Premier League Summer Series provided entertainment for U.S. fans, the overall number of preseason games was reduced due to player welfare concerns post-tournament. As leagues kick off—Premier League on August 15, La Liga on August 16, and others soon after—clubs will build on these experiences for what promises to be an exciting 2025-26 season. For the latest transfer news and season predictions, visit our transfer rumours page and stay tuned for comprehensive coverage throughout the season.