The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ quarter-finals are about to kick off, featuring some of the most exciting stars in world football and a number of players who have thrust themselves onto the global stage.
Here FIFA takes a look at eight players who are poised to sprinkle their stardust on the last eight, including two global icons who are back to full fitness and are finally ready to make their mark.
Fluminense FC v Al Hilal
Jhon Arias
The Colombia playmaker has been one of the breakout stars of the Club World Cup, having won the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award in three of the four games that Fluminense have played so far. Against FC Internazionale Milano in the Round of 16, Arias served up the cross that resulted in German Cano’s opener in his latest impressive performance during the global showpiece. Brazil icon Kaka recently declared himself a fan of Arias and it is not hard to see why.
Malcom
Malcom played a huge role in Al Hilal’s stunning 4-3 victory over Manchester City, scoring the goal that gave the Saudi club a 2-1 lead with a brilliant breakaway effort. After a short-lived stint at Barcelona, the Brazilian forward is eager to prove he is among the best in the world and his pace and power is likely to scare Fluminense.
Palmeiras v Chelsea FC
Estevao
Arguably the biggest storyline of the quarter-finals is the unique situation that Estevao finds himself in, with the Palmeiras winger poised to face the club he will join after the Club World Cup in a deal that could be worth up to €60million. Estevao agreed to join Chelsea a year ago and little did he expect that he would be facing his future employers on the global stage. The 18-year-old has only shown flashes of his genius during this tournament and will want to make a good impression to his new team-mates.
Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto has been one of Chelsea’s standout players in the USA, scoring three goals in as many games for the Blues. After finding the net against LAFC and Flamengo, he sat out the victory against Espérance and returned with one of Chelsea’s late goals that sealed a 4-1 victory over Benfica in the Round of 16. The Portuguese winger has cemented his status as one of Chelsea’s key attacking players and he will look to impress further against Palmeiras.
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München
Ousmane Dembele
PSG have an an embarrassment of riches in their squad, which has only been made stronger with Ousmane Dembele’s return from injury as a substitute against Inter Miami CF in the Round of 16. Dembele is now pushing for a role in the starting XI, giving Luis Enrique a dilemma over his selection plans. Whether he starts or not, his threat up front is undeniable.
Harry Kane
In this blockbuster match-up between the Bundesliga champions and UEFA Champions League winners, the margins of victory are expected to be thin. In Harry Kane, Bayern have a forward who is in imperious form after scoring a brilliant brace against Flamengo in the Round of 16 to make it three goals in total for the Club World Cup. Kane admits PSG will be a “tough opponent” but he has the tools to seal victory for Bayern.
Real Madrid C. F. v Borussia Dortmund
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe finally made his tournament debut when coming on as a second-half substitute in the victory over Juventus in the Round of 16. The Frenchman missed the early stages of the Club World Cup after suffering gastroenteritis. Gonzalo Garcia has performed way above expectations in Mbappe’s absence for Madrid, scoring three goals. But it would be something of a surprise if Xabi Alonso does not start the superstar against Borussia Dortmund.
Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy sent Borussia Dortmund to the last eight following a brilliant brace against CF Monterrey, in which he scored twice in an electric 10-minute spell in the opening half. Real Madrid will be considered the favourites against the Bundesliga side but in Guirassy they have a forward who is capable of scoring against the toughest of defenders. Just ask Sergio Ramos.
