2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Betting Preview
by Sean Murphy
Monday, Jun 09, 2025The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will make history as the first edition to feature a 32-team format, set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. Modeled after the traditional FIFA World Cup, the tournament will include eight groups of four teams, followed by a knockout stage beginning with the Round of 16. The final is scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. For bettors, this expanded format offers more opportunities—and volatility—than ever before. With several top European clubs in the field and a handful of South American powerhouses looking to break through, the futures market is already active. DraftKings has released tournament winner odds, and early line movement gives us a good sense of where sharp and public money is going. Tournament Winner Odds (courtesy DraftKings) Real Madrid: +400 Paris Saint-Germain: +500 Manchester City: +500 Bayern Munich: +700 Chelsea: +1000 Inter Milan: +1400 Atlético Madrid and others: +1600 and longer Real Madrid sits atop the odds board at +400, a reflection of both their legendary tournament pedigree and their consistent ability to show up in big matches. Despite an uneven domestic campaign in 2024–25, oddsmakers have priced Madrid as the most likely team to navigate the extended tournament format and win it all. Close behind are Paris Saint-Germain and defending champions Manchester City, both listed at +500. For City, Pep Guardiola’s side will aim to become the first team to win the Club World Cup in back-to-back tournaments since the format change. PSG, meanwhile, continue to pursue elusive international success with a squad that boasts both experience and firepower. Bayern Munich (+700) and Chelsea (+1000) offer intriguing mid-tier value. Bayern enters as the Bundesliga's top representative and is well-accustomed to deep tournament runs. Chelsea, while inconsistent domestically in recent seasons, has demonstrated an ability to punch above its weight in knockout-style competitions. For bettors seeking a longer shot, Inter Milan (+1400) may be worth a look, with a strong Serie A campaign behind them and a favorable group draw. Where’s the Betting Value? If you're looking to back the favorites, Real Madrid at +400 still offers a solid return. Given the expanded field, however, there’s more room for chaos than in previous editions. That makes hedging with multiple futures or looking at prop markets like “to reach the final” or “to win group” potentially more profitable. City and PSG at +500 both represent fair value given their talent and depth. The price is high enough to justify investment without being overly optimistic. For bettors aiming for a bigger payout, Chelsea at +1000 stands out as one of the more compelling high-upside bets. The Blues may not be consistent week to week in league play, but they’ve often come alive in international tournaments. South American clubs, such as River Plate or Flamengo, have been given long odds but could emerge as value plays to reach the semifinals. Historically, however, the trophy has remained in European hands—so betting against that trend would be bold. Final Thoughts The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup brings more teams, more games, and more betting angles than ever before. The top of the odds board reflects the usual suspects, with Real Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG all capable of lifting the trophy. But in a format this big and unpredictable, bettors should consider a diverse approach—pairing futures with group-stage and knockout-round props. Real Madrid is the most likely champion, but the true edge may come from identifying mid-tier clubs that could overperform. With futures like Chelsea (+1000) and Bayern (+700) offering decent value, and group-stage outcomes set to deliver upset potential, this tournament could be a feast for sharp bettors. Be sure to track line movement as squads finalize and group play begins. And above all, manage risk—because in a 32-team tournament, surprises are the only certainty.
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