There’s a spotlight on German football with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both reaching the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. It’s exciting news for football fans as Dortmund take on Real Madrid and Bayern prepare to meet Paris Saint-Germain. To many, these are more than big fixtures in the CWC. Instead, they’re a test of how well Bundesliga stacks up in a tournament that’s now drawing attention from all parts of the world.
Although many fans are wanting a favourable result, it’s not just about the final score. How the German clubs handle unfamiliar challenges and approach these games might say more than the final score lines. German teams know the nature of playing against other European teams, but matches against clubs from outside Europe are revealing where Bundesliga teams are thriving and where they can do better.
Michael Rummenigge, who previously played for both Dortmund and Bayern, said the competition offers something no pre-season tour or friendly can. “It’s an important step,” he explained. “You play in different conditions, against teams that aren’t part of your usual rhythm. That can teach you plenty.” He also pointed out that a strong performance could shift how Bundesliga clubs are viewed internationally. Right now, bookmakers on this Esports Insider UK guide have Bayern at around 6/1 to win the title, with Dortmund at 17/4 to knock out Real Madrid. Looking at how these bookmakers are pricing these matches, it’s clear that while German clubs aren’t favourites. That being said, they’re not being written off either.
This year’s Club World Cup is offering more surprises than some expected. When the tournament expanded, a few European teams showed scepticism, but that’s faded now. Bayern’s recent meeting with Flamengo, and Dortmund’s matchup with Monterrey, made it obvious that the gap between continents isn’t as wide as it once seemed.
Dortmund manager Niko Kovač highlighted one recent match in particular: Manchester City losing 4–3 to Saudi side Al-Hilal. “That result tells you all you need to know,” he said. “These clubs come into the tournament with real purpose.” Kovač has made it clear that preparation is as much about adjusting mentally as it is tactically. These aren’t mid-season Champions League matches. They bring their own atmosphere and intensity.
Another layer to this is what it means for next summer. The 2026 World Cup will come with the same types of challenges: long travel, temperature swings, and rapid tactical adjustments. Kovač and his staff see the Club World Cup as a chance to simulate some of those conditions before national teams start their own final preparations.
Vincent Kompany, now in charge of Bayern, added that these fixtures have opened his players’ eyes to new styles of play. “There’s a lot to take in. Some teams press high, others sit deep and counter with speed. You have to be ready for everything,” he said. Kompany has been rotating his squad with a focus on adaptability rather than sticking to one formula.
There’s also the emotional backdrop to consider. Bayern and PSG have plenty of history, and PSG’s win in the 2025 Champions League final still lingers in Munich. Dortmund, meanwhile, are looking to rewrite their recent story against Real Madrid after losing the 2024 final. These aren’t just matchups. They’re reminders of recent setbacks, with the chance to set things right.
Rummenigge said it best when asked about the value of making the semi-finals. “Even one team going through would show something. It says we’re ready to compete at this level.” For many Bundesliga fans, the hope is that both clubs leave an impression. Not just for themselves, but for what it could mean back home. That matters. German football has sometimes found itself overshadowed by the big spending and flash of England, Spain, or even France. This tournament gives Bayern and Dortmund the platform to remind the world what the Bundesliga can do.
