Club World Cup: 30 teams, 30 stars
From Mbappé and Haaland to Neymar and Griezmann, we review the stars of the teams competing in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
Mbappé, Haaland and Kane among star-studded line-up Cavani, Neymar and Griezmann eye global glory Youngsters Barcola, Estevao and Konate in the ring The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ is a true star-studded affair, perhaps an understatement. With 32 of the world’s best teams set to compete in the world’s first edition, this historic event will bring together some of the most exciting talents in world football.
Here, we look at a standout player from each of the 30 teams that have already secured their place at the top of world football.
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
. Bradley Barcola: Paris Saint-Germain
Signed by Paris Saint-Germain Lionel for €45m in 2023, the youngster is sending him off with a flurry of cheers to help Paris Saint-Germain and its fans overcome the departure of Kylian Mbappe.
. Julian Brandt: Borussia Dortmund
He will be able to shine as a winger, as an attacking midfielder or in a two-pronged attack, as this star shines in Dortmund to reach Robert with the Club World Cup.
. Diogo Costa: Porto
He is still only 24 years old, but the Gyrocopter penalty man has been heralded as one of the future stars of his position, after impressing at UEFA EURO 2024, where he saved three penalties against Slovenia in the historic penalty shootout.
. Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid
Now a fixture in Atletico’s history books, this versatile Frenchman is still revered by some of the game’s most intelligent and profitable players.
. Erling Haaland: Manchester City
Ruthless and relentless, he continues to break scoring records with every passing move. Described by Pep Guardiola as “terrifying” for his variability in finding the net, Haaland is sure to strike fear into defences at the next World Cup.
. Harry Kane: Bayern Munich
A fixture of the senior national team, he has cemented his place as one of Bavaria’s elite after registering the highest number of interceptions in his first season in Bundesliga history.
. Orkun Kokcu: Benfica
After impressing with Turkey at UEFA EURO 2024, the players in attendance will be looking to the skilled and highly sought-after forward to prove it once again.
. Karim Konate: Salzburg
This young Ivorian, who was one of the stars of football, was the undisputed target of the new Austrian league last season, and is seen as the next star from the creative school of Salzburg.
. Lautaro Martinez: Inter Milan
After the Argentine player became the top scorer in the Italian league this season, and followed that up by winning the title of top scorer in the Copa America, he is already a world champion with the Dutch national team. The question remains: will Martinez be able to achieve his second world title?
. Kylian Mbappe: Real Madrid
After leaving his homeland as Paris Saint-Germain’s top scorer, the explosive Frenchman – a World Cup champion and adidas Golden Boot winner – is chasing more history with Europe’s most sought-after club.
Kohler Palmer: Chelsea
Voted the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year after a stellar season with Chelsea, scoring 22 goals and registering 17 assists, the English star is looking to be creative and innovative to shine on a global level.
Dusan Vlahovic: Juventus
After a difficult start to justifying the €70m move, the Serbian is now back to his best and has become a key player in the half…