The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has delivered heavily on storylines throughout the competition as intriguing matchups between clubs from around the world provide narratives to satiate fans hoping to enjoy this newly minted edition of the tournament.
For example, a new Chelsea signing played — and scored — for his old club Palmeiras against the Blues in the quarterfinals in his final match for the Brazilian club before joining his new Premier League side.
However, one mouth-watering matchup comes with a huge asterisk as the quarterfinals reach a conclusion at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The possibility of the Bellingham brothers, Jude and Jobe, lining up against one another for Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund was scuppered by the latter being unavailable. The Sporting News explains why Jobe Bellingham is unable to match up against his brother Jude in this clash of familiar European opponents.
Why isn’t Jobe Bellingham playing against Real Madrid?
With a yellow card in the 28th minute of Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Monterrey in the Round of 16, Jobe Bellingham found himself suspended for the quarterfinal game against Real Madrid due to yellow card accumulation.
The booking was his second in as many matches, having also been cautioned in — oddly — the 28th minute of Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Ulsan HD in their final group stage match.
Jobe thus would be eligible to return for the semifinal match should Borussia Dortmund reacch the semifinals by beating Real Madrid.
Two yellow cards at the tournament sees a player suspended for the match after their second caution. Yellow card accumulation suspensions are nullified from the semifinal onwards, meaning no player can be suspended for the final due to accumulation.
Have Jobe and Jude Bellingham played against each other?
The Bellingham brothers have never played against one another on a professional level, meaning the Real Madrid vs. Borussia showdown was set to provide a piece of family history.
Given that Madrid and Dortmund have met consistently in Europe over the last few years, it’s entirely possible that the two clubs are drawn together at some point during next season’s Champions League tournament, giving them another opportunity to line up against each other.
💔 Jude Bellingham reflects on Jobe’s yellow card — the one that rules his brother out of Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund.
A family showdown we won’t get to see at the Club World Cup. pic.twitter.com/GRM7SPcw5U
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 5, 2025
