Hakimi and Bounou shine in Club World Cup best XI

Moroccan football stars Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou have been named in the Best XI of the 2025 Club World Cup Round of 16, held in the United States, as announced by DAZN Football. Both players showcased their exceptional talent, playing pivotal roles in advancing their respective teams to the quarterfinals.

Hakimi, representing Paris Saint-Germain, delivered a stellar performance by scoring in a commanding 4–0 victory over Inter Miami. Meanwhile, Bounou, the standout goalkeeper for Al Hilal, produced a heroic display with over ten critical saves in a thrilling 4–3 extra-time win against Manchester City, solidifying his place in the tournament’s spotlight.

The Best XI also includes notable names such as Al Hilal’s Coulibaly, Chelsea’s Reece James, Palmeiras’ Thiago Silva, and PSG’s João Neves in defense. The midfield features Richard Ríos (Palmeiras), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), and Gonzalo García (Real Madrid), while the attack is led by Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) and Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund).

Quarterfinal matchups set to thrill

The remaining eight teams are now preparing for the quarterfinal stage, promising electrifying encounters:

Fluminense vs. Al Hilal
Friday, July 4 – 08:00 PM GMT+1, Orlando
Al Hilal, riding high after their upset over Manchester City, face the Brazilian side Fluminense.

Palmeiras vs. Chelsea
Friday, July 4 – 02:00 AM GMT+1, Philadelphia
Chelsea, seeking redemption after a lackluster Premier League season, take on Palmeiras’ disciplined defense.

PSG vs. Bayern Munich
Saturday, July 5 – 05:00 PM GMT+1, Atlanta
A headline clash between European giants, featuring Hakimi and Neves against Bayern’s Harry Kane.

Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Saturday, July 5 – 09:00 PM GMT+1, New Jersey
A rematch of the 2024 Champions League final, with stars like Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham set to light up MetLife Stadium, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final.

The journey to the final promises high drama as teams battle for the prestigious title.