FIFA Club World Cup: Round of 16 fixtures confirmed

Femi Fabunmi

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has reached the knockout phase, with six Round of 16 fixtures now officially confirmed, promising fans an exciting set of clashes between some of the world’s top club sides.

Inter Milan secured top spot in Group E following a 2-0 victory over a 10-man River Plate. Goals from Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni sealed the win for the Italian champions, who will now face Brazil’s Fluminense in the next round.

Monterrey, who finished second in Group E, will take on German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

Both clubs are looking to reach the quarter-final stage and prove their strength on the global stage.

Portuguese giants Benfica are set to meet Premier League side Chelsea in another last-16 tie scheduled for Saturday.

The encounter is expected to be tightly contested, with both teams aiming to advance deep into the competition.

In an all-Brazilian affair, Palmeiras will face Botafogo. With local rivalry and continental pride at stake, this match is likely to deliver high drama and passion.

One of the most anticipated fixtures will take place on Sunday when Paris Saint-Germain face Inter Miami in what many are calling the “Lionel Messi Derby.” The game marks a unique moment as Messi’s current team meets the club where he achieved legendary status.

Also on Sunday, Flamengo will go head-to-head with Bayern Munich in another blockbuster tie.

The clash pits South American flair against European efficiency in a match that could go either way.

Two more Round of 16 fixtures remain unconfirmed, with the final group standings set to determine the last pairings.

As the competition heats up, fans around the world await more thrilling action from the biggest club tournament on the planet.

This is the first time that the FIFA Club World Cup will have 16 teams qualify for the knockout stage due to the new format introduced by FIFA.