IFFHS 2025 World Club Rankings: Real Madrid Tops the List, European Clubs Dominate

IFFHS stands for the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, an independent organization that compiles historical data, match results, and performance metrics in global football. While not officially affiliated with FIFA, its rankings and records are widely recognized for their comprehensive statistical approach.

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has released its 2025 World Club Rankings, revealing a strong dominance of European clubs in global football. Real Madrid takes the top spot with 470 points, underscoring its sustained excellence across domestic and international competitions. FC Barcelona and Inter Milan follow closely behind with 434 and 419 points, respectively. These rankings reflect club performances across all official matches, factoring in tournament strength, opponent level, and overall consistency.

Nine of the top ten clubs are from UEFA, highlighting Europe’s continued superiority in club football. The English Premier League stands out with a significant presence in the top 30—Arsenal (5th), Liverpool (7th), Aston Villa (8th), Chelsea (9th), Manchester United, Manchester City, and Tottenham all appear, demonstrating the league’s competitiveness and depth. Germany also performs strongly with Bayern Munich (6th), Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt all making the list.

Italian clubs also maintain a firm foothold in the rankings. Inter Milan ranks 3rd, with Lazio, Juventus, AC Milan, Atalanta, and Roma also securing positions within the top 30. Spanish football shows consistent quality as well, with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona leading, and Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club contributing to La Liga’s representation.

Outside UEFA, CONMEBOL clubs—especially from Brazil—are the most prominent. Botafogo ranks 11th, the highest among South American clubs, followed by Flamengo, Palmeiras, Atlético Mineiro, and São Paulo. Racing Club from Argentina is the only non-Brazilian CONMEBOL team in the top 30, ranked 21st. These results emphasize the competitive strength of Brazil’s domestic league on the world stage.

Clubs from Belgium (Club Brugge), Portugal (Benfica), and Turkey (Galatasaray) also appear, indicating that even mid-tier UEFA nations maintain a competitive edge. The IFFHS ranking methodology considers the outcome and importance of each match, incorporating both domestic and international tournaments. Clubs that excel consistently across both fronts tend to achieve higher rankings.

This year's rankings show a continued imbalance between football’s established powerhouses and clubs from other confederations. No teams from Asia, Africa, or North America feature in the top tier, reflecting disparities in competition level, financial power, and global exposure. The 2025 IFFHS rankings not only highlight individual club achievements but also reveal broader structural dynamics in global football.