SEATTLE — The Seattle Sounders FC will be competing in the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will begin Sunday across the United States. 

The Club World Cup expanded to 32 teams this year, allowing the Sounders to improve their standing globally if they fare well in the competition.

Before the tournament begins on Sunday, let's explain the Club World Cup format, how the Sounders qualified and their opponents, and a look at the games Lumen Field will be hosting. 

What is the Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup is similar to the more popular World Cup, but it features 32 club soccer teams instead of national teams in the tournament.

This will be the first year of the Club World Cup's new expanded 32-team format. The Sounders qualified for the 2023 iteration of the tournament after winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The 2023 version of the tournament had just seven club teams involved.

The winning clubs from each confederation's premier competition and other top-ranked clubs qualified for the Club World Cup to crown the best club in the world.  

This year's tournament is in the United States from June 15 to July 13. 

When do the Sounders play in the Club World Cup?

The Sounders, which qualified for the tournament by winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup, are in Group B of the Club World Cup, along with Paris Saint-Germain (France), Atlético de Madrid (Spain) and Botafogo (Brazil).

Seattle's first group stage game is Sunday against Botafogo at 7 p.m. Its second game against Atlético de Madrid is at 3 p.m. June 19.

The hometown team finishes its group stage June 23 against reigning UEFA Champions League champions, Paris Saint-Germain, at noon. 

The top two teams in Group B will advance to the single-elimination knockout round. 

Which Club World Cup games will be in Seattle?

All three Sounders FC group stage games will be hosted at Lumen Field in addition to three other Club World Cup games.

Here's the full schedule. Sounders games are in bold.

• Sounders FC v Botafogo (June 15, 7 p.m. PT)
• River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds (June 17, noon PT)
• Sounders FC v Atlético de Madrid (June 19, 3 p.m. PT)
• Inter Milan v Urawa Red Diamonds (June 21, noon PT)
• Sounders FC v Paris Saint-Germain (June 23, noon PT)
• River Plate v Inter Milan (June 25, 6 p.m. PT)

You can purchase tickets to a Club World Game on Ticketmaster. As of Thursday, ticket prices are ranging from $30 and up for the group stage games, depending on the matchup.

How do clubs qualify for the Club World Cup?

By either winning its region's top trophy or being ranked high enough in its geographic area to earn an at-large bid into the tournament.

• Africa - 4 CAF teams. Three via champions (CAF Champions League) and one at-large team.
• Asia - 4 AFC teams. Three via champions (AFC Champions League) and one at-large team.
• Europe - 12 UEFA teams. Four via champions (UEFA Champions League) and eight at-large teams.
• North and Central America, Caribbean - 4 Concacaf teams. Three via champions (Concacaf Champions Cup) and one via play-in match.
• Oceania - 1 OFC team. One at-large team.
• South America - 6 CONMEBOL teams. Four via champions (CONMEBOL Libertadores) and two at-large teams.
• Host country (USA) - 1 team.

What are the other Club World Cup groups?

Group A

• SE Palmeiras (Brazil)
• FC Porto (Portugal)
• Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
• Inter Miami CF (United States)

Group B

• Paris Saint-Germain (France)
• Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
• Botafogo (Brazil)
• Seattle Sounders FC (United States)

Group C

• FC Bayern München (Germany)
• Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
• CA Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• SL Benfica (Portugal)

Group D

• CR Flamengo (Brazil)
• Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
• Chelsea FC (England)
• Los Angeles FC (United States)

Group E

• CA River Plate (Argentina)
• Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
• CF Monterrey (Mexico)
• FC Internazionale Milano (Italy)

Group F

• Fluminense FC (Brazil)
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
• Ulsan HD (South Korea)
• Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa)

Group G

• Manchester City (England)
• Wydad AC (Morocco)
• Al Ain FC (United Arab Emirates)
• Juventus FC (Italy)

Group H

• Real Madrid C. F. (Spain)
• Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• CF Pachuca (Mexico)
• FC Salzburg (Austria)

Is this a big deal for the Sounders?

Absolutely. After the Sounders became the first team from the United States to play in the Club World Cup in 2023, the expanded 32-team format means the competition will be tougher. 

While the Club World Cup is not as prestigious as the UEFA Champions League, which crowns the best club team in Europe, the global tournament does give the Sounders a chance to improve their standing on the biggest stage. 

Who were the last champions of the Club World Cup?

The last nine Club World Cup champions all played in Europe. Real Madrid has won the tournament five times, which is the most of all time.

The last non-European club to win the trophy was Corinthians (Brazil) in 2012. 

• 2023: Manchester City (England)
• 2022: Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2021: Chelsea (England)
• 2020: Bayern Munich (Germany)
• 2019: Liverpool (England)
• 2018: Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2017: Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2016: Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2015: Barcelona (Spain)
• 2014: Real Madrid (Spain)
• 2013: Bayern Munich (Germany)
• 2012: Corinthians (Brazil)
• 2010: Inter Milan (Italy)
• 2009: Barcelona (Spain)
• 2008: Manchester United (England)
• 2007: AC Milan (Italy)
• 2006: Internacional (Italy)
• 2005: Sao Paulo (Brazil)
• 2000: Corinthians (Brazil)