As the FIFA Club World Cup reaches its final stretch this week in New Jersey, fans are eagerly looking forward to blockbuster semifinal clashes, Fluminense vs Chelsea and Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain. 

But amid all the anticipation, one familiar fixture is noticeably missing from the schedule: the third-place playoff.

Traditionally, the teams that fall short in the semifinals would go on to contest a bronze-medal match. It’s a staple in most international tournaments, a chance for redemption, a shot at pride. But this year’s Club World Cup has taken a different route.

No bronze battle in this edition

FIFA has confirmed that there will be no third-place match at the expanded 2025 Club World Cup. 

Unlike the previous seven-team format, which usually featured a short and compact schedule including a third-place playoff, this new version with more clubs and a longer calendar has scrapped the additional fixture entirely.

That means whichever two teams are eliminated in the semifinals this week will pack their bags and head home without having to contest one more game.

 For clubs like Fluminense, who are already in the thick of their domestic season, or European giants like Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG who are gearing up for preseason tours, this decision might come as a relief.

Why did FIFA drop the Third-Place Game?

The decision appears to be rooted in practicality. FIFA stated that the omission was made to allow eliminated teams to return to their respective commitments as quickly as possible. 

For many clubs, staying longer in the U.S. just to play a consolation game wouldn’t make logistical or competitive sense.

It’s also possible that FIFA wanted to avoid adding more fuel to the already heated debate around the expanded format of the Club World Cup. Critics have raised concerns about player fatigue, congested schedules, and club-versus-country tensions. Trimming down non-essential matches may be FIFA’s way of addressing some of those worries.

What about the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Interestingly, while the Club World Cup will do without a third-place playoff this year, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup won’t follow that trend. The global tournament, which will also be hosted in the U.S. along with Canada and Mexico, will still feature a bronze-medal match.

Set for July 18, 2026, the third-place game at the World Cup will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens just one day before the grand finale. That suggests FIFA sees more value in maintaining this tradition for national teams than for club competitions.

The absence of a third-place playoff at the Club World Cup might seem minor, but it reflects a broader shift in how football’s top tournaments are being shaped. 

With a growing number of matches, tighter calendars, and increased focus on player welfare, even long-standing traditions are being re-evaluated.

Whether fans will miss the bronze-medal drama is another question. But for now, the spotlight is firmly on Sunday’s final winner takes all, no consolation prize in sight.