Benfica is set to join 31 other teams competing in the United States this summer for the inaugural restructured Club World Cup organised by FIFA.
Benfica at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Dates, Fixtures, Squad, Stats, and Viewing Options
Following the final weekend of the Portuguese domestic season, Benfica will kick off their first Club World Cup campaign. The event’s opening match features Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami going up against Egyptian side Al Ahly, and just two days later, the Eagles will meet Boca Juniors at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Though this marks Benfica’s debut in FIFA’s leading international club competition, this summer’s tournament promises to be an entirely new endeavour even for those with prior experience. The revamped format includes more matches, heightened media attention, and a significantly enhanced prize pool, ensuring that the 21st edition of the Club World Cup is poised to be the most ambitious yet. Fans of the game will welcome this, as the world’s top players, including veteran winger Ángel Di María from Benfica, come together on American soil this June.
In the sections that follow, we’ll provide all the crucial details regarding Benfica’s involvement in the 2025 Club World Cup. Keep reading for a full match schedule, insights into the Eagles’ group-stage rivals, and an overview of Bruno Lage’s squad strength. We’ll also delve into the qualification process and take a look at the bookmakers’ favourites.
Fixtures, Schedule, and Opponents
After initially facing matches in Miami and Orlando, Benfica will journey north along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Their final group stage match will be set in North Carolina, where they will square off against fellow UEFA team Bayern Munich at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.
At December’s Club World Cup draw, Benfica was placed in pot two and subsequently assigned to Group C, which includes Auckland City, Boca Juniors, and Bayern Munich.
Group Stage Match Schedule
Match 1: Boca Juniors vs. Benfica – Monday, 16th June, 6:00 PM (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL)
Match 2: Benfica vs. Auckland City – Friday, 20th June, 12:00 PM (Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL)
Match 3: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich – Tuesday, 24th June, 3:00 PM (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC)
Knockout Stage Match Fixtures
In the Round of 16, Groups C and D have been placed together, laying out Benfica’s potential route to the quarter-finals. Should the Eagles finish the group stage as either group winners or runners-up, they will encounter either 2022 Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo, CAF representatives Espérance de Tunis, 2021 Club World Cup champions Chelsea, or another yet-to-be-determined opponent due to the disqualification of former Group D members Club León.
Both potential Round of 16 match-ups will take place at venues previously visited during the group stage, allowing Benfica to remain in the southeastern U.S. before the quarter-final stage. If they advance, Bruno Lage’s side will head to Philadelphia for the last eight.
Benfica’s Potential Round of 16 Match-Ups:
Match 50: Group C Winners vs. Group D Runners-up – Saturday, 28th June, 4:00 PM (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC)
Match 52: Group D Winners vs. Group C Runners-up – Sunday, 29th June, 4:00 PM (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL)
Benfica’s Club World Cup 2025 Rivals
Group C features a compelling collection of teams, with three prominent clubs joined by the underdog Auckland City from New Zealand. To progress from this challenging group, Benfica will need to consistently perform well throughout their three opening matches. The four teams in Group C collectively hold an impressive 26 top-flight continental trophies, underscoring the level of skill, experience, and tournament pedigree the Eagles will face in the early stages.
Here’s a closer look at each of Benfica’s group-stage opponents:
Bayern Munich
Having claimed victory in both of their previous Club World Cup appearances, Bayern Munich enters the tournament as one of the frontrunners. After a tough start to the 2023/24 season, the Bavarians have regained control in the domestic league, following a brief dominance by Bayer Leverkusen. They also await a UEFA Champions League quarter-final, eager to overturn the disappointment of last season’s elimination by Real Madrid.
With Harry Kane in remarkable form and key players like Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, and Dayot Upamecano providing excellent performances, Bayern is a strong contender for another international title this summer.
Auckland City
Auckland City has been a giant in Oceania, securing a record-extending 12th OFC Champions League title last May. To put this into context, their nearest rival, Waitakere United, has experienced far less dominance in regional competitions.
Due to this dominance, Auckland City has participated in more editions of the Club World Cup than any other team but has only advanced beyond the first round twice in 11 attempts. Their previous campaigns ended in elimination by Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Al Ahly. The odds heavily favour them to struggle in this group, yet coach Paul Posa will hope for some surprises.
Boca Juniors
One of only five clubs to win the discontinued Intercontinental Cup three times, Boca Juniors has found it challenging to make a mark in FIFA’s prestigious club competition. Their solitary past appearance concluded in disappointment, succumbing to Étoile du Sahel in 2007.
Despite not securing major silverware since 2022, the ‘Xeneizes’ have started the current season well, recording just one loss in their first ten Primera División matches. Veteran striker Edinson Cavani leads their formidable attack, complemented by former Manchester United players Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo in defence. At odds of 40/1, Boca Juniors might be considered dark horses in this tournament.
TV Coverage: How to Watch Benfica at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
In December last year, FIFA announced that DAZN had secured exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2025 Club World Cup. It’s been confirmed that fans can view live coverage of all 63 tournament matches at no charge, as long as they sign up for a free DAZN account or are current subscribers.
DAZN can be easily accessed via their app, compatible with smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other devices. Besides watching top teams clash for global supremacy, DAZN subscribers can enjoy features like match previews, highlights, and expert analysis after each game.
The deal also allows DAZN to sublicense broadcast rights to other media companies, meaning matches may also air on various television networks in different regions.
Projected Line-up: Benfica’s Squad for the Club World Cup 2025
The Club World Cup offers a rare chance for clubs to secure international silverware while providing access to a potentially significant financial reward. As such, Bruno Lage will likely bring his key players along for the challenge, despite the demands of the ongoing 2024/25 season. With seasoned players like Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Di María nearing the end of their careers, the stakes are high.
This event also gives Lage an opportunity to introduce a number of promising young talents to the first team, especially if they progress to the knockout stages quickly. In addition to assembling a balanced and competitive squad, the experienced coach will need to ponder extending contracts for Benfica’s four current loanees.
One player to watch is Zeki Amdouni, who scored nine goals in 40 appearances after joining on loan from Burnley. His role as an impact substitute saw him net a late winner against Monaco in a thrilling UEFA Champions League match. Fellow loanee Andrea Belotti has also seen limited action but has scored in two of his first four league starts.
Swedish full-back Samuel Dahl has adapted well since his February move from Roma with two assists to his name. However, fans will be particularly invested in the future of the industrious midfielder, Renato Sanches, who has struggled with injuries since returning to his childhood club on a season-long loan.
While some are uncertain about their participation this summer, several first-team players are expected to have crucial roles. The creative skills of Turkish international Orkun Kökçü and the unwavering presence of veteran midfielder Florentino Luís will prove vital, while Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, having netted seven UEFA Champions League goals this season, is likely to lead the attack.
Benfica’s Expected Club World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Anatoliy Trubin, Samuel Soares, André Gomes
Defenders: Alexander Bah, Samuel Dahl, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Oliveira, Leandro Santos, Adrian Bajrami
Midfielders: Fredrik Aursnes, Orkun Kökçü, Manu Silva, Leandro Barreiro, Nuno Félix, Florentino Luís, Hugo Félix, Renato Sanches, Diogo Prioste, Tiago Dias Freitas
Forwards: Zeki Amdouni, Arthur Cabral, Ángel Di María, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Andrea Belotti, Andreas Schjelderup, Benjamín Rollheiser, João Rego
Players to Watch
Bruno Lage has instilled a strong team ethos and resilience in his squad, which has been exemplified by some incredible comebacks recently. Yet, Benfica can also rely on the individual talents of several standout players.
Here, we spotlight three of the Eagles’ key performers this season who might shape the outcome in the U.S.:
Nicolás Otamendi
A pivotal presence in Benfica’s formidable defence, Nicolás Otamendi brings a wealth of experience to the field. Since joining the Estádio da Luz in September 2020, the veteran centre-back has won three domestic titles and amassed over 200 competitive appearances, alongside earning a World Cup winner’s medal with Argentina.
The absence of Otamendi would severely diminish Benfica’s defensive capabilities.
Ángel Di María
Despite recently turning 37, Ángel Di María remains a potent attacking force with his exceptional left foot. He has contributed 15 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions this season, underscoring his continued relevance on the field.
After initially making his mark in the Portuguese capital as a promising youth player, Di María rejoined Benfica two summers ago after stints at clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.
Andreas Schjelderup
Gifted with remarkable first touch and skill, Andreas Schjelderup is recognised as one of Europe’s promising young talents. In a stellar breakthrough season, he has recorded eight goal involvements for Benfica and debuted with the senior Norway national team.
The Club World Cup could serve as the perfect platform for Schjelderup to enhance his burgeoning reputation.
Title Odds: Benfica’s Chances of Winning the 2025 Club World Cup
As they engage in a thrilling title chase with defending champions Sporting Lisbon, Benfica is expected to perform at full capacity until the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. While this may lead to minor fatigue, Bruno Lage’s squad will benefit from a steady stream of competitive matches leading up to the Club World Cup.
Benfica has already claimed one trophy this season, triumphing over Sporting in a nail-biting penalty shootout to win the Taça da Liga in January. They also look to secure a long-awaited Taça de Portugal, with a semi-final match against surprise fourth-tier outfit Tirsense on the horizon.
Though they were eliminated in the Round of 16, ‘Os Encarnados’ can look back fondly on their UEFA Champions League run. After progression through impressive victories over Red Star Belgrade, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, and Monaco, their European journey ended in a defeat to Barcelona.
While a current good run doesn’t guarantee success this summer, Benfica will surely be buoyed by their recent achievements. Bookmakers price them at odds ranging from 30/1 to 40/1 to win the tournament, and underestimating a trophy-winning mentality could prove a mistake.
Who are the Favourites?
Real Madrid, the most successful club in the competition’s 25-year history with five titles, is anticipated to secure a sixth Club World Cup crown this summer. Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are also favoured, with bookmakers placing Pep Guardiola’s side as second-favourites even after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.
Bayern Munich also received odds of less than 10/1, as they aim to clinch a third consecutive Club World Cup title following their victories in 2013 and 2020.
How Did Benfica Qualify for the Tournament?
Teams that won the last four editions of each confederation’s premier competition automatically qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup, with 14 of the remaining 16 spots determined through a coefficient points system. One spot was reserved for hosts Inter Miami, winners of last season’s MLS Supporters’ Shield. Following the disqualification of Club León, FIFA is contemplating a playoff to determine who will fill the Mexicans’ place.
Each confederation was allocated specific slots, with UEFA receiving 12 invitations, making it the most represented of FIFA’s six affiliates. Clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea qualified directly by winning the UEFA Champions League in the last four seasons. The remaining nine European teams with the highest coefficient points qualified through a ranking pathway.
With 52 coefficient points accumulated over a rolling four-year period, Benfica ranked as the seventh-highest eligible team, thus securing one of UEFA’s nine available spots. Fellow Portuguese side Porto and Group C competitors Bayern Munich also earned invitations via this method.
Benfica’s 2025 Club World Cup Kit
Though the club has not announced whether a unique Club World Cup kit will be available, it wouldn’t be surprising if a limited-edition shirt is released in time for the opening group match against Boca Juniors.
The expanded pan-continental tournament presents a significant marketing opportunity, likely prompting Benfica and the other clubs involved to venture into new merchandise avenues aimed at a vast audience.
History, Highlights, and Statistics
Despite their absence from the Club World Cup until this year’s edition, Benfica holds a wealth of achievements in football history. As Portugal’s most successful club, they lead the way in Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, and Taça da Liga titles.
Additionally, Benfica claimed back-to-back European Cups in the early 1960s, with stars such as club legend José Águas and the late Eusébio featuring in their famed red strip.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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