So, you’re looking for who won the World Cup 2025? It’s a bit of a tricky question. Most people hear "World Cup" and think of the massive national team tournament with flags and anthems. But 2025 was different. It wasn't the traditional FIFA World Cup for countries—that’s coming in 2026. Instead, 2025 gave us two massive "World Cups" that changed the game forever: the revamped FIFA Club World Cup and the historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Honestly, the results were a bit of a shocker.
Chelsea’s Summer of Glory in the States
The biggest story in football (or soccer, depending on where you're at) was the brand-new FIFA Club World Cup 2025. This wasn't that tiny December tournament they used to hold in Japan or the UAE. This was a 32-team beast held right across the United States. It was basically a Champions League on steroids, and it was Chelsea FC who ended up lifting the gold on July 13, 2025.
They absolutely crushed it.
The final went down at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. People were expecting a tight fight, but Chelsea just dismantled Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a clinical 3-0 victory. Cole Palmer was basically unplayable. He walked away with the Best Player award, and honestly, seeing him lift that 24-karat gold Tiffany-designed trophy felt like a "coming of age" moment for this new era of the club.
🔗 Read more: Highlights of the Golden State Warriors: What Really Happened Behind the Rings
- Final Score: Chelsea 3 - 0 PSG
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
- The Standout: Cole Palmer (Tournament MVP)
What's wild is that Manchester City—the heavy favorites—didn't even make the semifinals. They got knocked out in the Round of 16 by Al-Hilal. It was a chaotic month of football that proved European giants aren't always safe when they have to travel and play in the American summer heat.
India’s Historic Cricket Triumph
If you're a cricket fan, 2025 was even more emotional. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 took place in India, and the home team did something they’ve never done before. On November 2, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India won the World Cup.
They beat South Africa in a final that had every fan on the edge of their seat. India posted 298/7, which is a massive total for a final. Shafali Verma was the hero, smashing 87 runs. South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt tried her best with a century, but India’s Deepti Sharma was just too good with the ball, taking five wickets.
💡 You might also like: Exactly How Far is 10000m? Putting the Distance into Perspective
It was India's first-ever Women's ODI World Cup title. They finally broke the "curse" after losing finals in 2005 and 2017.
- Champions: India (Maiden Title)
- Runner-up: South Africa
- Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma
The Rugby League Confusion
You might have also heard whispers about a Rugby League World Cup in 2025. Kinda weird, right? Well, that one actually didn't happen. It was supposed to be in France, but they had to pull out because of funding issues. The International Rugby League eventually just cancelled it and pushed the next one to 2026. So, if you were looking for a rugby winner for 2025, you can stop searching—there isn't one.
Why 2025 Felt Different
Usually, the year before a Men's FIFA World Cup is quiet. This time, it felt like the center of the sporting universe. FIFA’s gamble on the expanded Club World Cup worked, even with all the player complaints about the schedule. It gave us a "World Cup" atmosphere a full year early.
If you followed the Club World Cup, you saw teams from every corner of the globe—like Palmeiras, Al Ahly, and Inter Miami—actually getting a shot at the big boys. It wasn't perfect, but it was fresh.
What you should do next:
📖 Related: When's the Next NBA Playoff Game: Why Timing Your Watch Parties Is Harder Than Ever
If you’re still buzzing from the 2025 results, now is the time to start looking at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The rosters that Chelsea and PSG used in 2025 are basically the blueprints for the national teams we’ll see next year. Keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of the Premier League this winter; that heavy 2025 schedule is definitely going to play a role in who stays fit for 2026. Also, if you missed the highlights of Deepti Sharma’s fifer in the Cricket World Cup final, go find them. It was a masterclass in spin bowling that every aspiring cricketer needs to watch.