2025 Club World Cup: 5 Bayern facts ahead of the tournament

FC Bayern head to the USA in five days to compete in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. fcbayern.com is counting down to departure and getting you in the mood for the big football event of the summer. Today we have five facts regarding Bayern at the tournament.

European dominance

The USA is the seventh different country to host the Club World Cup after Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco and Brazil. The competition has never been played in Europe, but UEFA clubs tend to dominate events, winning 16 out of 20 editions to fate. It’s over 12 years since a European team last lost a game at the Club World Cup, with Chelsea beaten 1-0 by Corinthians of Brazil in 2012. It was then Bayern who restarted the European winning run with a 3-0 victory over Guangzhou Evergrande the following year. Only once has a team from the host nation lifted the trophy, which was Corinthians in Brazil in 2000.

Bayern’s flawless record

As well as two participations in the Intercontinental Cup in 1976 and 2001, Bayern also previously competed at the Club World Cup in 2013 and 2020. Those tournaments saw the Bavarians face teams from countries they’d never encountered before, but one thing Bayern are yet to experience is conceding a goal. Across seven matches (three in the Intercontinental Cup, four at the Club World Cup), FCB have always kept a clean sheet. Including extra-time in Yokohama in 2001, that’s a run of 660 minutes. Since the first edition of the (at the time smaller) Club World Cup in 2000, no other club has contested as many matches as Bayern (four) without conceding a goal.

Record winners with Bayern past

Toni Kroos, who is tied with Thomas Müller as the most decorated German player ever in football, won the Club World Cup six times during his career, which is a competition record. In terms of coaches, Pep Guardiola leads the way with four crowns. The pair are united in one of those triumphs, having lifted the Club World Cup with Bayern in Morocco in 2013.

Record entrants from Down Under

Bayern’s opening group opponent, Auckland City, may not be the biggest name in world football, but they are by no means inexperienced at this level. The 2025 edition is the New Zealand club’s 13th appearance at the Club World Cup, which is more than any other team from any continent. Club legend Emiliano Tade holds the competition record for most games played with nine for the Oceanian representative. However, the 37-year-old Argentina now plays for local rivals Auckland United, having also featured for fellow qualifiers Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

Unbeaten records

Bayern have never previously had the pleasure of playing against New Zealand’s Auckland City, but they do have a positive record against their other two group opponents. One win from one meeting against Boca Juniors of Argentina stands alongside an impressive unbeaten return of 10 wins and three draws from 13 competitive meetings with Portuguese giants Benfica. A continuation of those records should mean progress beyond the group stage.

How to watch

Tickets are still available for Bayern’s games in the US. The German record champions are looking forward to plenty of support from their fans. Head HERE for Club World Cup tickets.

All FIFA Club World Cup matches are being broadcast live and for free by streaming service DAZN, although broadcasters will differ in some countries.

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