Two European sides meet for a lucrative spot in the final four as Real Madrid take on familiar opponents Borussia Dortmund in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals from MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
Unfortunately, the possible family affair fans will have anticipated from this meeting was not to be. With Jobe Bellingham’s recent move to Borussia Dortmund, the exciting possibility of him facing Real Madrid and his brother Jude was exciting.
However, that will not come to pass as Jobe has seen himself suspended for this game and cannot take the field against his kin.
Madrid have looked improved under new manager Xabi Alonso, seeing off two European opponents in Red Bull Salzburg and Juventus leading up to this knockout match.
Dortmund, meanwhile, have yet to be truly tested in this tournament, having beaten clubs from Mexico, South Korea, and South Africa in their past three games following a scoreless draw with Brazilian club Fluminense in their group stage opener.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
MORE: Club World Cup fixtures, results, bracket
Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund predicted lineups, team news
After missing all three group-stage games, Kylian Mbappe finally made his return from a nasty illness as he came off the bench for the final 22 minutes against Juventus last round. It’s unclear whether he will be ready for a starting role or if he will remain a bench option as he continues gaining fitness.
Gonzalo Garcia has been brilliant in the France star’s absence, scoring the only goal in the win over Juventus, and he could be handed the start simply out of respect for his performances.
Endrick has finally linked up with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup and has begun training after recovering from a hamstring injury, but he was not part of the Round of 16 squad. Raul Asencio is available following his one-game suspension for a red card against Pachuca, but he was an unused substitute against Juventus and may have lost Xabi Alonso’s trust.
Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy are still absent with their long-term injuries.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia — Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler — Vinicius Jr, G. Garcia.
Injured: Endrick (hamstring, doubt), Carvajal (knee), Camavinga (muscle), Mendy (muscle).
Suspended: None.
On a yellow: Bellingham, Vinicius.
Full Real Madrid squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Fran Gonzalez, Andriy Lunin, Sergio Mestre.
Defenders: Diego Aguado, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Dani Carvajal, Jesus Fortea, Fran Garcia, Dean Huijsen, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Jacobo Ramon, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, Yusi.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, Chema, Arda Guler, Mario Martin, Luka Modric, Victor Munoz, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde.
Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Endrick, Gonzalo Garcia, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.
Sadly, with a booking in the last round against Monterrey, Jobe Bellingham is suspended for this match and will not be available to face his brother Jude. His spot could be filled by either Marcel Sabitzer or Julian Brandt depending on how aggressively Niko Kovac wishes to play his cards.
Dortmund are missing a number of key players, including defender Nico Schlotterbeck who is still recovering from a meniscus tear suffered back in early April. They’re also without captain Emre Can who was not included on the Club World Cup roster thanks to a groin injury.
Officially, Jamie Gittens has an “illness,” but the unspoken reason for his absence is likely down to an imminent transfer to Chelsea that has been heavily reported as being near completion. However, to balance that out, there are also reports that Carney Chukwuemeka is nearing a deal to stay with Dortmund for the duration of their Club World Cup competition
Borussia Dortmund predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Kobel (GK) — Sule, Anton, Bensebaini — Ryerson, Nmecha, Gross, Svensson — Brandt, Guirassy, Adeyemi.
Injured: Can (groin), Gittens (illness), Schlotterbeck (knee), Ozcan (knee).
Suspended: Bellingham (yellow cards).
On a yellow: Guirassy, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Beier, Bensebaini, Couto.
Full Borussia Dortmund squad
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Alexander Meyer, Silas Ostrzinski.
Defenders: Waldemar Anton, Elias Benkara, Ramy Bensebaini, Soumaila Coulibaly, Yan Couto, Algumera Kabar, Filippo Mane, Julian Ryerson, Niklas Sule, Daniel Svensson.
Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi, Mathis Albert, Maximilian Beier, Julian Brandt, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Cole Campbell, Julien Duranville, Serhou Guirassy, Samuele Inacio, Giovanni Reyna.
Forwards: Ayman Azhil, Jobe Bellingham, Carney Chukwuemeka, Pascal Gross, Felix Nmecha, Marcel Sabitzer, Kjell Waetjen.
Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund score prediction
These two teams have a growing history of squaring off in international competition, having met in the UEFA Champions League an incredible 12 times since the 2012-13 season, including in the 2024 final.
It feels like every time, Dortmund give Real Madrid a massive headache, only for the La Liga giants to pull out the victory. A constant theme has been Dortmund missing its chances to go in front, letting Real Madrid off the hook.
This Real Madrid team is beginning to look far more defensively astute under Xabi Alonso, and while they still remain a flawed side, they also have the talent and proficiency to see out this piecemeal Dortmund side that has even more holes than their Spanish opponents. Expect yet another wacky game between these two clubs, with Madrid emerging with a place in the next round — same as it ever was.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
How to watch Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund: Live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Club World Cup quarterfinal match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
USA | Sat, Jul. 5 | 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT | TNT, truTV, TUDN, Univision | Fubo, Sling, DAZN |
Canada | Sat, Jul. 5 | 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
UK | Sat, Jul. 5 | 9 p.m. BST | Channel 5 | DAZN |
Australia | Sun, Jul. 6 | 8 a.m. AEST | — | DAZN, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now |
India | Sun, Jul. 6 | 1:30 a.m. IST | — | DAZN, tabii |