GROUP H PROFILE: Real Madrid, Salzburg collide in race for global supremacy!

The battle for supremacy in Group H promises high-stakes drama, featuring some of the biggest names in world football. Saudi Arabia’s most decorated club, Al Hilal, will lock horns with 15-time European champions Real Madrid, Mexican powerhouse CF Pachuca, and Austria’s rising force FC Salzburg. Each team carries a rich legacy, a squad filled with talent, and an unyielding determination to claim glory in the USA.

From historic comebacks and continental triumphs to the emergence of new icons, these clubs bring their own unique flair to the global stage.

Whether it’s Madrid’s quest for another world title, Al Hilal’s determination to test themselves against Europe’s best, Pachuca’s fearless approach, or Salzburg’s underdog spirit—this group is set to deliver fireworks.

Al Hilal

Saudi Arabia’s football giant, Al Hilal, takes their place on the world stage, eager to prove their pedigree against elite opposition.

Club World Cup Group & Fixtures

Al Hilal will go head-to-head with Real Madrid, CF Pachuca, and FC Salzburg—a line-up that guarantees intense battles.

- Wednesday, 18 June: Real Madrid C.F. v Al Hilal | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

- Sunday, 22 June: FC Salzburg v Al Hilal | Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

- Thursday, 26 June: Al Hilal v CF Pachuca | GEODIS Park, Nashville

How They Qualified

Al Hilal punched their ticket to the Club World Cup by conquering the 2021 AFC Champions League, securing a record fourth continental title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Pohang Steelers in the final.

Club Factfile
- Founded: 1957
- Stadium: Kingdom Arena
- Nicknames: Blue Wave, Al-Za’eem (The Boss), Blue Power

Club History

A club built on ambition and triumph, Al Hilal has dominated Saudi and Asian football for decades. From their early domestic triumphs in the King’s Cup (1961) to their rise as AFC Champions League royalty, the Blue Wave continues to set the standard.

Their historic 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final appearance, where they pushed Real Madrid in a thrilling 5-3 battle, cemented their status as true contenders on the global stage.

Real Madrid CF

Football’s most illustrious club enters Group H with a legacy unmatched in world football.

Club World Cup Group & Fixtures

A star-studded squad, legendary history, and a hunger for yet another crown—Madrid will clash with Al Hilal, CF Pachuca, and FC Salzburg in a battle for supremacy.

- Wednesday, 18 June: Real Madrid C.F. v Al Hilal | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Sunday, 22 June: Real Madrid C.F. v CF Pachuca | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- Thursday, 26 June: FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C.F. | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

How They Qualified

Madrid secured their place at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 by winning their record-extending 14th Uefa Champions League title in 2022, overcoming Liverpool with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Vinicius Junior in the final.

Club Factfile
- Founded: 1902
- Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
- Nicknames: Los Blancos, Los Merengues

Club History

From their first LaLiga title in 1932 to their dominance in five consecutive European Cup victories in the 1950s, Real Madrid has redefined greatness time and time again. Their modern triumphs, including their six Uefa Champions League titles between 2014 and 2024, have solidified their status as world football’s ultimate powerhouse.

CF Pachuca

Mexico’s continental champions arrive with belief, talent, and a storied past.

Club World Cup Group & Fixtures

Pachuca faces a challenging route in Group H, with must-watch encounters against Real Madrid, FC Salzburg, and Al Hilal.

- Wednesday, 18 June: CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
- Sunday, 22 June: Real Madrid C.F. v CF Pachuca | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- Thursday, 26 June: Al Hilal v CF Pachuca | GEODIS Park, Nashville

How They Qualified

A dominant 3-0 victory over Columbus Crew in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final secured their spot at the global showpiece.

Club Factfile
- Founded: 1892
- Stadium: Estadio Hidalgo
- Nickname: The Tuzos

Club History

One of Mexico’s most historic clubs, Pachuca’s legacy dates back to its foundation by English miners in 1892. The club’s six Concacaf Champions Cup titles—including their most recent triumph in 2024—reinforce their status as a regional powerhouse with a desire to shine on the world stage.

FC Salzburg

Austria’s finest take centre stage, ready to test themselves against world football’s elite.

Club World Cup Group & Fixtures

FC Salzburg faces an uphill battle in Group H, where they’ll square off against Real Madrid, Al Hilal, and CF Pachuca in a quest for global recognition.

- Wednesday, 18 June: CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
- Sunday, 22 June – FC Salzburg v Al Hilal | Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
- Thursday, 26 June – FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C.F. | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

How They Qualified

Salzburg earned their place through the Uefa ranking pathway, edging in as Europe’s 12th representative after Bayern Munich’s Uefa Champions League quarterfinal victory over Arsenal in 2024.

Club Factfile
- Founded: 1933 (as SV Austria Salzburg)
- Stadium: Red Bull Arena
- Nickname: Die Roten Bullen (The Red Bulls)

Club History

From humble beginnings in 1933 to their rise in the 1990s, Salzburg’s growth into a dominant force in Austrian football is remarkable. Their 17 league titles, Uefa Cup Final appearance in 1994, and their role in developing stars such as Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane, and Dayot Upamecano showcase their pedigree on both domestic and international fronts.