After a poor continental showing in 2024-25, the Bianconeri look to emerge as contenders in Club World Cup
It's been a troubling trend for Juventus. Always competing for a Serie A title, always flashy at one point or another in European competition – but without a trophy in the domestic league since the 2019-20 season, and without a UCL title since 1996, nearly 30 years.
Once home to Zinedine Zidane, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero – all legends of the game – the club has stagnated over the past five years. Could this summer be their return to the top?
Led by U.S. men's national team star Weston McKennie and winger Tim Weah, Juve have a lot of hills to climb. On their third manager since last spring, the Italian club aren't flourishing. They can't seem to find a consistent striker to lead their line, multiple formations have been used amid different coaching philosophies and despite having a plethora of attacking options, they're not scoring at winning rate.
Again, though, it's Juventus. They always manage to impress at some point. The Club World Cup could present them with a sort of reset button. And if they manage to do so? The rest of the field should look out.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.
Next up is Juventus, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for the Italian side at the tournament.
Getty Images SportThe basics
DOMESTIC LEAGUE: Italian Serie A
CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: Making their first appearance
GROUP: G (Al Ain, Juventus, Man City, Wydad Casablanca)
OPENING MATCH: Al Ain – June 18, 9 p.m. ET, Washington D.C.
AdvertisementGettyHow they got here
The qualified through UEFA's ranking pathway. They earned a spot by being one of the highest-rated European teams through performance in the UEFA Champions League from 2020-2024.
AFPThe player to watch
Weston McKennie has become a mainstay for Juventus this season, and has been a crucial member of their XI in both central and wide roles. He will be representing the at the Club World Cup rather than at the Gold Cup with the USMNT – as the two tournaments coincide.
A threat on set pieces and physical presence in the middle of the pitch, he's been one of their most reliable players this season.
In the attack, forward Kenan Yildiz has been one of Italy's most electric players in 2024-25. Breaking out with the senior team this season, the Turkey international and 19-year-old budding star has eight goal-contributions in this Serie A campaign.
Getty Images SportRealistic expectations
Realistically, Juventus should be competing for a first-place finish in the group, with advancement to the knockout the bare minimum. As one of two Italian clubs competing in the competition, the will have high expectations.
Both Al Ain and Wydad should be winnable matches, which would virtually guarantee advancement to the next round. Where competition will truly arrive will be against Pep Guardiola and Man City. Both teams primarily use three central defenders, which would make for an interesting attacking affair.
Juve will need to be resilient defensively against the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Savinho, while their attack will need to be at their best against a physical City side. All-in-all, this is a club that should be aiming for a semifinal spot, if not contending for a CWC title.