There’s no shortage of information to analyze when picking out the best FIFA Club World Cup bets for this summer’s tournament.
The Club World Cup has been completely redefined for 2025. Now featuring 32 clubs and a $1 billion prize pool, the tournament runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States. The low-stakes, exhibition feel is gone. This is a serious competition that the biggest clubs in the world are taking very seriously.
Let’s dive into Club World Cup bets, preview the teams, and discuss strategies and tips.
Editor’s Note: Looking for more soccer picks and predictions? Our experts regularly offer free soccer betting analysis right here at Props.
Club World Cup Bets, Preview, and Predictions (2025)
With UEFA giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG chasing prestige and money, and ambitious squads from South America, Africa, and Asia bringing unpredictable matchups, this tournament offers a unique betting environment loaded with player prop value, goal-based markets, and group stage edges.
Club World Cup Team Overviews
Let’s take a hard look at who’s playing in this year’s tournament and pick out the serious contenders and wild cards.
UEFA Powerhouses
- Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich
These clubs enter as overwhelming favorites to win the tournament.
Real Madrid features a front line of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Manchester City regains Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. PSG is built around explosive wingers like Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. These teams are deep, motivated, and accustomed to tournament play.
Prop Betting Notes
- Goal scorer props on players like Mbappé, Dembélé, and Erling Haaland will have value in group stages against weaker defenses.
- Over 1.5 goals or multi-goal performance props are very live in early games.
- Assist props for midfielders like Rodri, Vitinha, or Bellingham could hit with heavy rotation and attacking freedom.
South American Contenders
- Palmeiras, Botafogo, River Plate, Boca Juniors
South American clubs bring tournament pedigree, tactical cohesion, and top emerging talents.
Palmeiras features Estevão Willian in his final tournament before joining Chelsea. Botafogo is the reigning Brasileirão and Libertadores champion. These teams are well-coached and play with intensity.
Prop Betting Notes
- Look to back player props such as goals or assists for Estevão and Igor Jesus (Botafogo) in group play.
- Shot on goal (SOG) props for aggressive wide players like Estevão could offer value.
- Goalkeeper save props may hit overs in matches where South American clubs sit deeper and absorb pressure from possession-heavy European teams.
North American Sides
- Pachuca, LAFC, Inter Miami, Monterrey
Pachuca is the strongest on paper, having won the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Inter Miami CF may get attention because of Lionel Messi, but they aren’t a realistic title contender. LAFC and Monterrey bring pace and offensive systems that can hang with certain European clubs.
Prop Betting Notes
- Messi assists and goal props are viable vs. weaker sides, especially with set-piece duties.
- Back Pachuca players for SOG props—they’re experienced, efficient, and tactically sound.
Wild Cards
- Al Hilal, Al Ahly, Urawa, Mamelodi Sundowns
Al Hilal is the only non-European team with a realistic path to a deep run. Their core includes Rúben Neves, João Cancelo, and Aleksandar Mitrović under coach Simone Inzaghi.
The African and Asian sides may not win it all, but they’ll impact prop markets and group dynamics.
Prop Betting Notes
- Al Hilal players like Mitrović or Neves have strong goal/shot value in group-stage matches.
- Clean sheet props against weaker opponents could offer plus money value.
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Club World Cup Prop Betting Strategies
The expanded 32-team format and billion-dollar prize pool raise the stakes like never before. With elite squads facing lesser-known opposition in the group stage, player prop markets will be heavily impacted by talent gaps and early blowouts.
Target Stars in Lopsided Group Matches
With massive mismatches in the group stage, top attackers like Mbappé, Dembélé, Rodri, and Estevão are going to dominate usage. Goal scorer, multi-goal, and assist props are strongest early in the tournament when depth and conditioning matter less.
Avoid Overreaction to Team Names
Boca Juniors and River Plate carry prestige, but may be priced too close to top UEFA sides. Fade overvalued moneylines or futures unless matchups truly favor them. Stick to player props or team totals instead.
Bet Unders in Tight Group Deciders or Knockouts
Once the knockout rounds begin, and in winner-take-all group finales, expect defensive setups and reduced risk-taking. This favors under 2.5 total goals and first-half under bets.
Back Live Props in High-Stakes Games
Watch for mid-match subs, red cards, or weather conditions. A team like PSG or Madrid going down early creates massive in-game goalscorer and total shift. Use live props to capitalize on elite squads chasing from behind.
Track Rotation in Later Group Matches
UEFA teams that clinch early may rotate heavily in Matchday 3. That opens up prop opportunities for bench players like Endrick (Real Madrid) or Omar Marmoush (City). Back obscure goal scorers or assists in those low-leverage matches.
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