FIFA has confirmed that the third-place match at the 2025 Club World Cup has been cancelled—here's what you need to know:
❌ No Third‑Place Match
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FIFA decided to remove the third/fourth place playoff from this year’s expanded 32-team tournament. Instead, the competition will conclude with just the semi-finals and the final, set for July 13 at MetLife Stadium (radiotimes.com).
🔍 Why Was It Removed?
1. Player Welfare Concerns
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The tournament’s compact, month-long schedule places heavy demands on players. FIFA judged that an extra match would be excessive in a packed calendar, increasing fatigue and injury risk .
2. Logistical Efficiency
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With multiple matches across vast distances in the U.S., and already frequent weather-related delays, removing the third-place game helps ease scheduling complexity and venue pressures .
3. Low Stake and Interest
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Unlike the World Cup, Club World Cup finals hold little sporting significance beyond first place. FIFA assessed that the interest and financial returns for a third-place match didn’t justify the costs (radiotimes.com).
🏁 What This Means
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Teams eliminated in the semi-finals will not play again and will both exit the tournament after their respective losses.
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The Club World Cup now features no fifth-place match either—only the final winner gets crowned.
🧭 Final Take
By scrapping the third-place match, FIFA aims to prioritize player well-being, streamline logistics, and recognize commercial reality. The focus remains on delivering a concise, high-stakes finale with fewer matches, less travel, and a tighter schedule.
Let me know if you’d like the full knockout schedule, analysis of the other big matches, or updates on how the tournament is handling other challenges.