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Read the article in Italian on ilNewyorkese
Day 14 of the Club World Cup was the first match-free day since the tournament began. The knockout stage kicks off today.
The newly revamped and ambitious Club World Cup enters its knockout phase today with the Round of 16, immediately featuring high-profile clashes and top-tier matchups. Among the global stars on display are Inter and Juventus—Italy’s two representatives, chasing World Cup glory thousands of miles from home.
Inter, who topped their group, will face Fluminense on Monday evening in a tricky matchup. The Brazilians no longer rely solely on flair and creativity; they now combine that with tactical discipline and intensity—traits seen across all Brazilian teams in the tournament. It’s no coincidence that all four Brazilian sides have made it to the Round of 16.
Juventus, on the other hand, will take on Real Madrid on Tuesday—a heavyweight clash not just for the quality of the opponent, but also for the rich history that comes with any encounter against Los Blancos.
The bracket sets up a potential “Derby d’Italia” only in the Final—a tantalizing but difficult scenario, given the obstacles lying ahead.
If Inter overcome Fluminense, they’ll meet the winner of Manchester City–Al Hilal, a showdown between Guardiola and Inzaghi, both with a point to prove. For Juventus, the mountain is steep from the start, but should they upset Real Madrid, they would face the winner of Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey.
Beyond the names, the tournament is sending a clear message: South American teams—especially the Brazilians—are no longer just flashy underdogs. It’s not about being fresher—statistics show they’ve played more games than their European counterparts—but rather about timing. European clubs arrived at the Club World Cup at the end of their seasons, while for South American sides (and others), the tournament is a mid-season interlude. Another key factor in their rise has been tactical evolution. Today, teams like Botafogo and Flamengo defend better than many European giants, they play with tempo and ideas, and they no longer fear anyone. PSG and Chelsea found that out the hard way during the group stage.
Meanwhile, the transfer window reopened just yesterday, giving the remaining clubs the chance to tweak their rosters. Whether through expiring contracts or last-minute deals, the rules allow up to six changes—two of which can come from outside the preliminary squad. A crucial detail in a tournament that spans two seasons and includes teams from both hemispheres.
Here’s the full Round of 16 schedule: eight matches over four days, from Saturday to Wednesday. The Club World Cup is hitting its stride. For Inter and Juventus, it’s time to prove that Italy can still dream big.
Round of 16 – 2025 Club World Cup
| Date & Time (ITA) | Match | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, June 28 – 18:00 | Palmeiras vs Botafogo | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Sat, June 28 – 22:00 | Benfica vs Chelsea | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| Sun, June 29 – 18:00 | PSG vs Inter Miami | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Sun, June 29 – 22:00 | Flamengo vs Bayern Munich | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| Mon, June 30 – 21:00 | Inter vs Fluminense | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| Tue, July 1 – 03:00 | Manchester City vs Al Hilal | Camping World Stadium, Orlando |
| Tue, July 1 – 21:00 | Real Madrid vs Juventus | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| Wed, July 2 – 03:00 | Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
