🏆 Premier World League Playoffs — First Round Matchup Previews

It's that time of the year! The playoffs are here! With some amazing victories while other ended in heartbreak, it's time to put all of that behind and game on to the final part of the season. Let's take a look at all the match ups for the first round, will there be an upset? Will your favorite team make it to the championship series? I wish everyone the best of luck! 

(1/32 Round – Home-and-Away Series; Higher Seed hosts Leg 1)
Playoffs begin November 23. Matches occur every other day.

---

LEFT SIDE OF THE BRACKET

(1) Universitario(PER) vs (16) Chelsea (UK)

A huge clash between one of Peru’s most disciplined squads and UK's aggressive, counter-attacking Chelsea club. This is a really interesting match up as both come in good momentum. Will there be a surprise result?

(8) Barcelona (SPA) vs (9) Alianza Lima (PER)

Spain vs Peru in a battle of technique vs intensity. Barcelona’s passing machine meets Alianza’s relentless press.

(4) Sporting Cristal (PER) vs (13) Atlético Grau (PER)

An all-Peruvian showdown. Cristal’s creativity clashes with Grau’s gritty defensive style.

(5) Santa Fe (COL) vs (12) Hong Kong FC(HK)

Santa Fe’s physicality and ball control test Hong Kong's disciplined structure.

---

(2) Cienciano (PER) vs (15) Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)

Cienciano are favorites but Saprissa’s continental pedigree always makes them dangerous. This will be a good test if Deportivo Saprissa wants to make something out of this season, they will have to go through a demon of a squad that is Cienciano. 

(7) Deportivo Cali (COL) vs (10) Manchester United (UK)

A heavyweight matchup. Cali’s fluid attack battles one of England’s most globally popular clubs.

(3) Valencia (SPA) vs (14) San José (USA)

A technical Spanish side with good history and always competing year again and again meets an MLS team known for its energy and unpredictability.

(3) Bolognesi(PER) vs (11) Sport Boys (PER)

Bolognesi's intensity and experience will challenge a brave Sport Boys squad looking for an upset. Bolognesi comes in amazing momentum. This might be the year they make it really far into the playoffs. 

---

(1) Melgar (PER) vs (16) Querétaro (MEX)

Melgar comes in loaded with momentum as one of the best one of the entire league, but Querétaro has upset potential with their defensive discipline.

(8) Miami FC(USA) vs (9) Internacional (BRA)

MLS star power saved their season coming all the way from relegation position. Brazilian firepower is here to move to the next round. Expect goals from both sides.

(4) Columbus Crew (USA) vs (13) Cerro Porteño (PAR)

Crew’s possession game may be tested by Cerro’s explosive attacking transitions. The Crew are happy with their first ever World Cup of Clubs qualification but want more.

(5) Boca Juniors (ARG) vs (12) Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

A fascinating soccer-culture clash—Argentina vs Japan with two very different tempos. 

---

(2) Gamba Osaka (JPN) vs (15) New England Revolution (USA)

Japan’s precision and one of the top teams in the world vs MLS athleticism. This should be very interesting as New England is playing their final season with their current name. They want to go out in a bang! They will be known as Orlando City(USA) starting the 2026 season.

(7) Flamengo(BRA) vs (10) Emelec (ECU)

Flamengo bring championship DNA; Emelec will rely on counterattacks to survive which is one of their best features. Emelec might surprise against the former champs.

(3) Houston Dynamo (USA) vs (14) Union Huaral (PER)

Dynamo’s system play makes them favorites, but Union's fight is well-known. Houston shouldn't have any issues moving on to the next round. 

(6) River Plate (ARG) vs (11) Chicago Fire (USA)

River Plate look strong, but Chicago has had surprise performances all season. Chicago could win if they keep that momentum from the season. It's how you finish after all. 

---

RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRACKET

(1) Bolivar (BOL) vs (16) York United FC (CND)

A titan enters the playoffs. Bolivar has had the best season ever. They want to reach the championship series and further. York United will try to defend against their incredible offense. I still see the first Seed Bolivar move on easily. 

(8) Newell's (ARG) vs (9) Atletico Madrid(SPA)

Newell's will fight off against an Atletico Madrid team that wants to win and reach the promised land. This should be a very even match up.

(4) Newcastle United (UK) vs (13) Union Española(CHI)

Newcastle’s physical Premier League pace matches up with the creativity of Union.

(5) Hamburger SV (GER) vs (12) LA Galaxy (USA)

A classic German club meets MLS royalty in a matchup full of attacking talent.

---

(2) Cerezo Osaka (JPN) vs (15) Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Dortmund’s explosive youth vs Osaka’s efficiency. Potentially one of the best ties of the round.

(7) Manchester City (UK) vs (10) Crystal Palace (UK)

A Premier League derby! City’s depth vs Palace’s resilience.

(3) FC Tokyo (JPN) vs (14)Austin FC(USA)

FC Tokyo start their journey against Austin FC. Austin will have their hands full against this Japanese squad that has a rich history in the most exciting part of the season, the playoffs.

(6) Urawa Reds(JAP) vs (11) Vegalta Sendai(JAP)

Nippon style match up! One with experience as they've seen it all while the other is rising to the occasion. Which one will come out standing?

---

(1) Bayern Munich (GER) vs (16) Atletico Ciclon(BOL)

Bayern look dominant, but Bolívar’s altitude-hardened endurance may play a role in Leg 2.

(8)Wolfsburg(GER) vs (9) Werder Bremen (GER)

A cross-border European showdown with both teams comfortable in possession. They are both quite even, anyone could come out as the winner.

(4) Sydney (AUS) vs (13) Liverpool(UK)

The English bring strong defending, but Sydney’s pace could turn this into a thriller.

(5) Real Madrid (SPA) vs (12)SC Freiburg (GER)

A strong German side meets one of Spain’s best—this could be closer than seeds suggest.

---

(2) Cusco FC(PER) vs (15) Estudiantes (ARG)

A South American classic matchup with huge rivalry vibes. Peruvians and Argentinians always have a good battle. 

(7) DC United (USA) vs (10) Deportivo Municipal(PER)

Municipal comes in loaded with talent; DC brings physical form and playoff urgency. The champions are ready to defend their title. Starting in the 7th seed will definitely give them a good challenge. Will they be able to repeat?

(3) AEK Athens(GRE) vs (14) Silkeborg(DK)

Greek stability meets the winningest Dannish club of all time.

(6) Pyramids FC(EGP) vs (11) Argentinos Juniors (ARG)

Two extremely tactical teams—one from Africa, one from South America—promising a chess-match tie.

🏆 Premier World League Playoffs 

---

📅 FIRST LEG — November 23

(Higher seed at home — all matches this day)

---

LEFT SIDE

🔹 Group A

• (1) Universitario(PER) vs (16) Chelsae(UK)

• (8) Barcelona (SPA) vs (9) Alianza Lima (PER)

• (4) Sporting Cristal (PER) vs (13) Atlético Grau (PER)

• (5) Santa Fe (COL) vs (12) Hong Kong FC(HK)

• (2) Cienciano (PER) vs (15) Deportivo Saprissa (CTR)

• (7) Deportivo Cali (COL) vs (10) Manchester United (UK)

• (6) Valencia (SPA) vs (11) San José (USA)

• (6)Bolognesi(PER) vs (11)Sport Boys (PER) 

🔹 Group B

• (1) Melgar (PER) vs (16) Querétaro (MEX)

•  (8) Miami FC (USA) vs (9) Internacional (BRA)

• (4) Columbus Crew (USA) vs (13) Cerro Porteño (PAR)

• (5) Boca Juniors (ARG) vs (12) Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

• (2) Gamba Osaka (JPN) vs (15) New England Revolution (USA)

• (7) Flamengo (BRA) vs (10) Emelec (ECU)

• (3) Houston Dynamo (USA) vs (14) Union Huaral (PER)

• (6) River Plate (ARG) vs (11) Chicago Fire (USA)

RIGHT SIDE

🔹 Group C

• (1) Bolivar(BOL) vs (16) York United FC (CND)

• (8) Newell's (ARG) vs (9) Atletico Madrid (SPA)

• (4) Newcastle United (UK) vs (13) Union Española(CHI)

• (5) Hamburger SV (GER) vs (12) LA Galaxy (USA)

• (2) Cerezo Osaka(JAP) vs (15) Borussia Dortmund (GER)

• (7) Manchester City (UK) vs (10) Crystal Palace (UK)

• (3) FC Tokyo (JPN) vs (14) Austin FC(14)

• (6)Urawa Reds(JAP) vs (11)Vegalta Sendai(JAP)

🔹 Group D

• (1) Bayern Munich (GER) vs (16) Atletico Ciclon(BOL)

• (8) Wolfsburg(GER) vs (9) Werder Bremen (GER)

• (4) Sydney FC (AUS) vs (13) Liverpool (UK)

• (5) Real Madrid (SPA) vs (12) SC Freiburg (GER)

• (2) Cusco FC(PER) vs (15) Estudiantes (ARG)

• (7) DC United (USA) vs (10) Deportivo Municipal(PER)

• (3) AEK Athens(GRE) vs (14) Silkeborg(DK)

• (6) Pyramids FC(EGP) vs (11) Argentinos Juniors (ARG)

📅 SECOND LEG — November 25th

(Lower seed at home — same matchups, reversed home/away)

---

LEFT SIDE

🔹 Group A

• (16) Chelsae (UK) vs (1) Universitario (PER)

• (9) Alianza Lima (PER) vs (8) Barcelona (SPA)

• (13) Atlético Grau (PER) vs (4) Sporting Cristal (PER)

• (12) Hong Kong FC (HK) vs (5) Santa Fe (COL)

• (15) Deportivo Saprissa (CTR) vs (2) Cienciano (PER)

• (10) Manchester United (UK) vs (7) Deportivo Cali (COL)

• (11) San José (USA) vs (6) Valencia (SPA)

• (11) Sport Boys (PER) vs (6) Bolognesi (PER)

---

🔹 Group B

• (16) Querétaro (MEX) vs (1) Melgar (PER)

• (9) Internacional (BRA) vs (8) Miami FC (USA)

• (13) Cerro Porteño (PAR) vs (4) Columbus Crew (USA)

• (12) Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) vs (5) Boca Juniors (ARG)

• (15) New England Revolution (USA) vs (2) Gamba Osaka (JPN)

• (10) Emelec (ECU) vs (7) Flamengo (BRA)

• (14) Union Huaral (PER) vs (3) Houston Dynamo (USA)

• (11) Chicago Fire (USA) vs (6) River Plate (ARG)

---

RIGHT SIDE

🔹 Group C

• (16) York United FC (CND) vs (1) Bolivar (BOL)

• (9) Atletico Madrid (SPA) vs (8) Newell's (ARG)

• (13) Union Española (CHI) vs (4) Newcastle United (UK)

• (12) LA Galaxy (USA) vs (5) Hamburger SV (GER)

• (15) Borussia Dortmund (GER) vs (2) Cerezo Osaka (JAP)

• (10) Crystal Palace (UK) vs (7) Manchester City (UK)

• (14) Austin FC (USA) vs (3) FC Tokyo (JPN)

• (11) Vegalta Sendai (JAP) vs (6) Urawa Reds (JAP)

---

🔹 Group D

• (16) Atletico Ciclon (BOL) vs (1) Bayern Munich (GER)

• (9) Werder Bremen (GER) vs (8) Wolfsburg (GER)

• (13) Liverpool (UK) vs (4) Sydney FC (AUS)

• (12) SC Freiburg (GER) vs (5) Real Madrid (SPA)

• (15) Estudiantes (ARG) vs (2) Cusco FC (PER)

• (10) Deportivo Municipal (PER) vs (7) DC United (USA)

• (14) Silkeborg (DK) vs (3) AEK Athens (GRE)

• (11) Argentinos Juniors (ARG) vs (6) Pyramids FC (EGP)