Al Ahly is amongst the teams that are packing early in the knock-out stages of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 edition Image: Unplayable on X
(The Post News)- The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has delivered its fair share of drama but few anticipated the sheer scale of upsets that would unfold across the early stages. A host of storied clubs from across the globe, many with continental championships and global reputations, have found themselves unceremoniously dumped out, leaving fans and pundits alike stunned.
The 2025 FIFA CWC waves “by” to Al Ahly, the Egyptian giants and one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, crashed out in a shock defeat to a spirited opponent, bringing an abrupt end to what many hoped would be a deep tournament run. Wydad Casablanca fared no better, leaving Morocco without a representative after group-stage woes.
Asia, too, saw early heartbreak. Ulsan Hyundai, the pride of South Korea, and Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan’s AFC Champions League winners, couldn’t keep pace with the tempo and physicality of their international counterparts. Meanwhile, Al Ain’s home advantage offered little solace as the Emirati side bowed out early.
For Major League Soccer, the Club World Cup represented a chance to stake a claim on the global stage. Instead, both LAFC and Seattle Sounders succumbed under pressure. Despite moments of flair, defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge saw both sides exit in the group stage.
Mexican champions Pachuca also disappointed. Touted as potential semifinalists, their elimination further adds to Liga MX’s growing concerns about competing at the highest level of international club football. Therefore, they are also packing early in the Cub World Cup 2025.
Perhaps the biggest shocks came from Europe. Atletico Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, suffered a humiliating early departure. Lacking the trademark resilience fans have come to expect, the Spanish side were simply outclassed. Their elimination sent shockwaves through La Liga.Similarly, FC Porto seeing the door early in the CWC 2025, another historically successful club failed to deliver. The Portuguese side never found their rhythm, paying the price for a lack of sharpness and underestimating their opposition.
In Oceania, Auckland City, the perennial OFC champions, were quickly overwhelmed by the tournament’s rising intensity. Despite a valiant effort, the Kiwis simply couldn’t match the pace, marking another early exit for the New Zealanders.
This CWC 2025 wave of exits signals a new era in the Club World Cup, one defined by razor-thin margins and heightened global parity. No longer can traditional powerhouses rely solely on pedigree. The message is clear, “adapt or be eliminated.”
As the tournament marches on, attention now turns to the new contenders clubs less feted, but more fearsome. The fall of these titans opens the door for fresh narratives and perhaps a changing of the guard in world football. The Club World Cup 2025 edition has reminded us why football remains the world’s most unpredictable theater. In a tournament where history means little and performance is everything, even giants must fear the fall.
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