The FIFA Club World Cup draw, revealing the matchups for the expanded 32-team tournament, took place on Thursday. Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, will face Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening match on June 15th.
Inter Miami secured their spot by leading the MLS regular season standings. They are placed in Group A with Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras and Portuguese side Porto.
Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Neymar, will have a reunion with La Liga rivals and European champions Real Madrid in Group H.
Twelve European clubs will participate, including Manchester City, who drew Juventus in Group G. FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes this tournament will mark “a new era in club football.”
Messi and Neymar’s former club Paris Saint-Germain face a challenging Group H, which also includes Atletico Madrid, Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo, and the Seattle Sounders.
Despite facing skepticism regarding the tournament’s necessity and appeal, FIFA received considerable support at the draw. Club officials and former players were present.
US President-elect Donald Trump sent his best wishes in a video message before the ceremony, which took place during a 90-minute live broadcast from a television studio in Miami.
“The event is going to be incredible,” said Trump in his message where he praised Infantino as a “winner”.
“We’ve known each other a long time and I’m so honoured to have this kind of relationship because soccer is going through the roof as everyone knows,”
The USA will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, participated in the draw.
The draw, presented by former Juventus player Alessandro Del Piero, featured celebrities like model Adriana Lima. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13th.
After initial struggles, FIFA secured a global streaming deal with DAZN, which will broadcast the games for free.
FIFA has faced opposition, particularly from FIFpro and the European Leagues body, who filed a joint complaint with the European Commission. The concern is the added strain on an already packed schedule.
Despite the opposition, clubs and leagues expressed support. PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, also chairman of the European Clubs Association, expressed excitement about the tournament.
“We are very supportive of this tournament, We are excited,” said Al-Khelaifi.
Al-Khelaifi said the tournament was a better way for clubs to perform in the USA than in pre-season friendly tours and would help PSG to spread their brand.
There was also support from Don Garber, commissioner of Major League Soccer and vice-chair of the World Leagues Association.
“The tournament took time to generate all the interest that you are seeing here today,” said the American.
“Good things come to those that sort of put in the work and FIFA put in the work and we’re going to have lots of our stadiums involved,
“There are 100 million fans who follow what we call league (club) soccer and they’re going to be interested to see MLS teams and Mexican teams and see teams from all Europe, South America and the rest of the world, so I’m excited about it, I really am,” added Garber.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw
Group A
1. Palmeiras: 2021 Copa Libertadores winners (CONMEBOL)
2. Porto: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
3. Al Ahly: 2020–21, 2022–23 and 2023–24 Champions League winners (CAF)
4. Inter Miami: 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners (CONCACAF, HOST)
Group B
1. Paris St Germain: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
2. Atletico Madrid: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
3. Botafogo: 2024 Copa Libertadores winners (CONMEBOL)
4. Seattle Sounders: 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Group C
1. Bayern Munich: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
2. Auckland City: 2022, 2023 and 2024 Champions League winners (OFC)
3. Boca Juniors: Ranking pathway (CONMEBOL)
4. Benfica: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
Group D
1. Flamengo: 2022 Copa Libertadores winner (CONMEBOL)
2. Esperance: Ranking pathway (CAF)
3. Chelsea: 2020-21 Champions League winners (UEFA)
4. Leon: 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners (CONCACAF)
Group E
1. River Plate: Ranking pathway (CONMEBOL)
2. Urawa Red Diamonds: 2022 Champions League winners (AFC)
3. Monterrey: 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners
4. Inter Milan: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
Group F
1. Fluminense: 2023 Copa Libertadores winners (CONMEBOL)
2. Borussia Dortmund: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
3. Ulsan HD: Ranking pathway (AFC)
4. Mamelodi Sundowns: Ranking pathway (CAF)
Group G
1. Manchester City: 2022-23 Champions League winners (UEFA)
2. Wydad AC: 2021–22 Champions League winners (CAF)
3. Al Ain: 2023–24 Champions League winners (AFC)
4. Juventus: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
Group H
1. Real Madrid: 2021-22 and 2023-24 Champions League winners (UEFA)
2. Al-Hilal: 2021 Champions League winners (AFC)
3. Pachuca: 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners
4. Red Bull Salzburg: Ranking pathway (UEFA)
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