From reigning champions Manchester City to unexpected surprises—and now featuring a brand-new format—this is the full story of every FIFA Club World Cup winner, year by year, along with a complete list of all the champions.
The FIFA Club World Cup represents the ultimate achievement for any soccer club after winning their respective continental titles. This year, however, the tournament enters a bold new era with a revamped format that includes 32 clubs competing for global supremacy. The expansion transforms the event into a full-scale, high-stakes tournament unlike anything seen before in international club soccer.
Among the familiar contenders is Real Madrid, the most decorated club in UEFA Champions League history with 15 titles. Los Blancos are also among the top three clubs with the most Club World Cup appearances and are the competition’s most successful team, having lifted the trophy five times. Their sustained excellence places them at the center of the tournament’s legacy.
This edition promises a higher level of competitiveness, as the new format mirrors the structure of the FIFA World Cup. The inclusion of group stages followed by knockout rounds introduces a new layer of strategy and endurance, in contrast to the shorter, more straightforward formats used in previous editions.
FIFA’s expanded tournament has sparked mixed reactions, with concerns raised over player fatigue and scheduling. Nonetheless, FIFA president Gianni Infantino remains committed to the vision of making the Club World Cup the premier global stage for club soccer. The opening match will feature Inter Miami facing Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, setting the tone for a month-long spectacle.
Club World Cup champions list
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up |
| 2023 | Manchester City | Fluminense |
| 2022 | Real Madrid | Al-Hilal |
| 2021 | Chelsea | Palmeiras |
| 2020 | Bayern Munich | Tigres UANL |
| 2019 | Liverpool | Flamengo |
| 2018 | Real Madrid | Al-Ain |
| 2017 | Real Madrid | Gremio |
| 2016 | Real Madrid | Kashima Antlers |
| 2015 | Barcelona | River Plate |
| 2014 | Real Madrid | San Lorenzo |
| 2013 | Bayern Munich | Raja Casablanca |
| 2012 | Corinthians | Chelsea |
| 2011 | Barcelona | Santos |
| 2010 | Inter Milan | Mazembe |
| 2009 | Barcelona | Estudiantes |
| 2008 | Manchester United | LDU Quito |
| 2007 | AC Milan | Boca Juniors |
| 2006 | Internacional | Barcelona |
| 2005 | Sao Paulo | Liverpool |
| 2000 | Corinthians | Vasco da Gama |
The most successful clubs
Manchester City enter as the reigning champions, while Real Madrid lead all clubs with five titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022). The Spanish giants also hold the distinction of being the first team to win three consecutive Club World Cup titles. On an individual level, Toni Kroos has won a record six titles, and Cristiano Ronaldo remains the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with seven goals.
- Real Madrid – 5 titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- Barcelona – 3 titles (2009, 2011, 2015)
- Bayern Munich – 2 titles (2013, 2020)
- Corinthians – 2 titles (2000, 2012)
Most iconic matches in Club World Cup history
One of the tournament’s most iconic finals came in 2005, when São Paulo shocked European champions Liverpool with a 1–0 victory. Led by legendary goalkeeper Rogério Ceni, the Brazilian side held off a relentless Liverpool attack, producing a tactical and emotional triumph that underscored South America’s competitive edge on the global stage.
In 2012, Corinthians added another chapter to Brazil’s dominance with a 1–0 win over Chelsea in Yokohama. Backed by tens of thousands of traveling fans, Corinthians played with discipline and flair, with Paolo Guerrero scoring the lone goal and goalkeeper Cássio delivering a heroic performance. It marked the last time a non-European team won the title.
A landmark moment for CONCACAF came in the 2020 final when Tigres UANL of Mexico reached the championship match against Bayern Munich. Although the German side prevailed 1–0, Tigres became the first club from North America to reach the final. Their run, including a win over Palmeiras, signaled a shifting balance in world soccer and elevated the region’s reputation in elite competition.
From: bolavip.com