The Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to storm delays, extreme heat to complaints about FIFA's expanded competition being a cash grab at the expense of the players' long-term health.

Brazil's Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time.

From Inter Miami's Lionel Messi facing former side Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid meeting Juventus and Chelsea taking on Benfica, here is how the last 16 of the Club World Cup have shaped up:

The “BFF Next Global Star” trial is set to begin tomorrow at the National Stadium in Dhaka, drawing a group of aspiring footballers of Bangladeshi heritage from around the world.

Despite persistent rain in Yangon, Myanmar, the squad has been training with unwavering determination.

Nearly 10 weeks after Leicester City, where Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury is set to play next season after loan deal ended at Sheffield United, were relegated from the Premier League, manager Ruud van Nistelrooy parted ways with the club.

Qualifiers run from September 20–24, with the main event set for January 27 to February 7 in Indonesia next year.

Perhaps most importantly, this club-level surge offers hope for their national team, record five-time world champions.

The Brazil star opened the scoring after a superb defence-splitting pass by Jude Bellingham on 40 minutes and then set up Federico Valverde for the all-important second goal in first-half stoppage time.

Manchester City turned on the style to seal top spot in Group G at the Club World Cup

New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti considers Neymar "a very important player" and has urged the injury-prone star "to prepare well" for the 2026 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe has accused his former club Paris Saint-Germain of moral harassment in a legal filing, the Paris prosecutor's office told AFP on Thursday as it confirmed an investigation had been opened.

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League side announced on Thursday, which will keep the Portuguese forward at the club well past his 42nd birthday.

The father-son experience was made all the more memorable with on-pitch access to watch their heroes warm up from close-range.

New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso warned his team's stars including Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday that they must all pitch in defensively.

Despite the searing 36°C heat and a low turnout of just over 8,000, Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac praised his side’s resilience.

City are tied with Juventus on six points but sit second in the group. The runner-up plays the winner of Group H in the round of 16, which is currently Real Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe returned to training on Wednesday after missing Real Madrid's first two matches at the Club World Cup in the United States due to illness, the Spanish giants confirmed to AFP.

Harvey Elliott scored twice as reigning champions England defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the final of the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia.

The team faces a challenging path, beginning their campaign against Jordan on June 29, followed by a crucial clash with hosts and group favourites Myanmar on July 2.