The 2025 Club World Cup, set to bring together 32 teams in the United States from June 15 to July 13, promises unexpected thrills based on a prediction by a BoyleSports supercomputer. Through 10,000 simulated scenarios, the artificial intelligence crowned Benfica as the tournament’s champion, outshining giants like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. Highlighted by The Sun, this forecast defies conventional expectations, positioning the Portuguese club as the standout star of this inaugural expanded-format edition.

The methodology combined updated betting odds and statistical variables to simulate each match thousands of times. In Group C, Benfica would lead over Bayern Munich, eliminating Boca Juniors, managed by Miguel Russo, and Auckland City. Meanwhile, River Plate, in Group E alongside Inter Milan, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Monterrey, would advance to the round of 16, pulling off a stunning upset by knocking out Borussia Dortmund, only to fall to Juventus in the quarterfinals.

Technology Predicts the Club World Cup Winner

The supercomputer projects a path full of surprises. Chelsea, in Group D with Flamengo, ES Tunis, and Los Angeles FC, would finish second behind the Tunisian side and be eliminated by Benfica in the round of 16 with a decisive 3-1 scoreline. Other South American giants like Flamengo and Palmeiras would exit in the round of 16, though Palmeiras would achieve a feat by ousting Paris Saint-Germain, the recent Champions League winners. Botafogo, meanwhile, would fall to Porto in the same stage.

In the European sector, Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, would take second in their group behind Juventus but dominate the knockout rounds, defeating Real Madrid in the round of 16, followed by Inter Milan and Juventus, to secure a spot in the final. Shockingly, Real Madrid, a favorite alongside PSG, City, and Bayern, would exit early in the round of 16, a result that challenges their storied international pedigree.

The grand final, slated for July 13 in New Jersey, would pit Benfica against Manchester City, with the Portuguese side prevailing 2-1 to lift the trophy. This prediction, which also foresees Boca Juniors’ early group-stage exit and River Plate’s limited run, injects unpredictability into a tournament poised to redefine global football. While betting houses favor Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, and Bayern, the supercomputer’s forecast suggests Benfica could etch a historic chapter in international football.