PSG, the reigning UEFA Champions League winner, dismantled Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the round of 16 with four goals in the first half of a 4-0 victory, while Bayern took down Brazilian side Flamengo 4-2 to set up the showdown with a familiar European foe.

Among the stars competing in the FIFA Club World Cup are Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (Argentina), Bayern Munich's Harry Kane (England) and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, all of whom are expected to star for their countries at the 2026 World Cup.

The semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup have a UEFA Champions League feel to them. Fifteen-time UCL winner Real Madrid and newly-crowned UCL champion Paris Saint-Germain face off in the marquee match of the two semifinals.