The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup enters its decisive phase this Saturday as the Round of 16 kicks off in Philadelphia with an enticing clash between two Brazilian giants: Botafogo and Palmeiras. It will be the first in a series of matchups that pit South American ambition against European dominance in a tournament that has showcased both the quality of the Brasileirão and the strength of Europe’s top clubs.

The all-Brazilian showdown will be held at Lincoln Financial Field at 12 p.m. local time and will guarantee at least one Brazilian side in the quarterfinals. Botafogo, reigning champions of both the Brazilian league and the Copa Libertadores, caused one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage and eliminating Atlético Madrid. Palmeiras, meanwhile, topped Group A ahead of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and comes in as the favorite, despite Botafogo’s unbeaten record in their last five meetings, including two wins in the Libertadores Round of 16 last year.

Saturday’s action will continue with Benfica of Portugal taking on Chelsea of England in Charlotte at 4 p.m. The Portuguese side, led by veteran Ángel Di María, will look to repeat the performance that saw them topple Bayern Munich in the previous round.

But all eyes this weekend will be on the highly anticipated reunion between Messi and his former team. On Sunday, Inter Miami will face Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta (4 p.m. Philadelphia time), a match loaded with intrigue given the Argentine star’s frosty relationship with PSG fans and his less-than-friendly departure in 2023.

“This sport has shown that anything can happen in a single match,” said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. “They are surely better than us, but in football you never know what might happen.”

Messi won’t be alone: he will be joined by Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—former Barcelona teammates—as well as Mascherano on the touchline. Together, they will challenge a PSG managed by Luis Enrique, another familiar face under whom they lifted the Champions League and the old-format Club World Cup in 2015.

The French side, current European champions, have welcomed back winger Ousmane Dembélé from injury and are clear favorites. Still, Inter Miami has already exceeded expectations in this tournament, having eliminated Porto and nearly topping Group A.

The rest of the Round of 16 promises other high-voltage encounters. Sunday night in Miami, Flamengo—one of the competition’s most in-form teams—will face Bayern Munich. On Monday, Fluminense will look to upset Inter Milan, while Tuesday will feature a classic European showdown between Real Madrid and Juventus. That same day, Monterrey will try to keep their dream alive against Borussia Dortmund, after sealing qualification with a convincing 4-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds.

Manchester City, who thrashed Juventus 5-2 in the final group match, will close the Round of 16 against Saudi side Al Hilal in a tie where the English champions are heavy favorites.

The Club World Cup thus moves into its final stretch, promising memorable matches and giving several challengers the chance to end Europe’s reign. For Messi, the tournament also offers a unique opportunity: to prove his enduring talent and perhaps settle a score with a past that never quite fit.

This is how the Club World Cup Round of 16 wil be played

• Saturday, June 28 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
  12:00 p.m. ET – Palmeiras vs Botafogo
• Saturday, June 28 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
  4:00 p.m. ET – Benfica vs Chelsea
• Sunday, June 29 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  12:00 p.m. ET – PSG vs Inter Miami
• Sunday, June 29 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
  4:00 p.m. ET – Flamengo vs Bayern Munich
• Monday, June 30 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
  3:00 p.m. ET – Inter Milan vs Fluminense
• Monday, June 30 – Camping World Stadium, Orlando
  9:00 p.m. ET – Manchester City vs Al Hilal
• Tuesday, July 1 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
  3:00 p.m. ET – Real Madrid vs Juventus
• Tuesday, July 1 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
  9:00 p.m. ET – Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey