The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is entering its decisive stretch. With only 12 matches left in the group stage, the 16 teams that will move on to the Round of 16 are starting to take shape. While some favorites already have one foot in the next round, others must still fight hard to avoid an early exit.

One of the biggest showdowns is in Group F, where Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund are battling for the top spot—and possibly survival. The Brazilian side will face a determined Mamelodi Sundowns in Miami on Wednesday (19:00 GMT), while the German club will take on eliminated Ulsan HD from South Korea simultaneously in Cincinnati.

In this World Cup hosted by the United States, the land of fast food, Fluminense is hoping for a full combo: a ticket to the knockouts and first place in the group. The Rio-based team leads with four points and a better goal difference than Dortmund, thanks in large part to standout performances from Colombian playmaker Jhon Arias. “We have everything we need; we just need to stay focused for the full 90 minutes,” Arias told AFP after scoring and assisting in the last match.

But the path won't be easy. Mamelodi Sundowns—currently third with three points—are still in contention to qualify, and their bold playing style known as “Shoe Shine & Piano” has made them one of the tournament's surprises. Coach Miguel Cardoso, likened to Pep Guardiola in South Africa, emphasized that his team won’t abandon its identity when facing the South American powerhouse. “We want to compete with our identity,” Cardoso told Sport newspaper.

Meanwhile, Dortmund will look to lock in their spot against Ulsan. But even a win may not be enough if Fluminense also win and maintain a superior goal difference. The opening draw between the two (0–0) left this group wide open, with final decisions to be made in stadiums more than 1,000 miles apart.

Boca, Chelsea, Flamengo and More

The end of the group stage is packed with high-stakes matchups. Among them: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich and ES Tunis vs. Chelsea, both of which will define tight groups with qualification on the line.

Boca Juniors, for their part, will seek to seal their spot in the next round against Auckland City. The Argentine side is coming off a convincing win in its last match and now depends on itself to advance. Flamengo, another South American giant, will take on LAFC in a match that promises both flair and intensity from two passionate fan bases.

Porto vs. Al Ahly also looms as a crucial head-to-head clash, with both teams—seasoned international competitors—vying for a place in the next round.

A New Look for the Tournament

This Club World Cup, the first under FIFA’s expanded format, has served as a testing ground for measuring global football power and rethinking competition structure. One thing is clear: African and Asian teams are no longer just along for the ride. Clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, and ES Tunis have shown they can challenge anyone.

For the traditional powerhouses from Europe and South America, the margin for error is razor-thin. The physical demands, tactical variety, and logistical challenges of the tournament have made it a true proving ground. As Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi put it: “We have no guarantee of reaching the next stage (...) we must stay alert at all times.”

Much will be decided on Wednesday. From there, a new tournament begins: the knockout stage. The road to the world title is wide open—and so far, no one has claimed it yet.

With information from AFP