The tournament comprised the six teams that won the previous edition of the continental championships in each FIFA confederation, playing each other in a single-elimination bracket.

[2] The tournament broadly maintains the format of the previous annual versions of the FIFA Club World Cup, which was expanded and reorganised into a quadrennial tournament with more entrants, with the exception of changes to venues for the initial rounds.

[2] The details were approved by the FIFA Council on 17 December 2023, with the format formally confirmed on 20 September 2024.

If still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out was held to determine the winner.

Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid won the Golden Ball award, sponsored by Adidas, which was jointly awarded with the Aramco Player of the Tournament to recognise the best player of the Intercontinental Cup.