FIFA’s highly anticipated Club World Cup is set to take place in the United States next summer, with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami leading the charge against Egyptian club Al Ahly in the opening match. Kylian Mbappé and Neymar will face off for Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, respectively.
The 32-team competition features some of the world’s top clubs and players, including Premier League champions Manchester City and Chelsea. However, their matches were not drawn together due to FIFA’s complicated regional constraints.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will play Casablanca’s Wydad in their opening Group G fixture before taking on Al Ain and finishing against Italian giants Juventus. Meanwhile, Chelsea starts in Group D against Club Leon, then plays Flamengo and Esperance Tunis.
The tournament will be held from June 15 to July 13, using 12 stadiums in 11 different cities. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup final.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the competition, stating that it is about inclusivity and bringing together the world’s best clubs and players. However, the draw was widely criticized, with many questioning why Messi’s Inter Miami were included despite finishing at the bottom of their league standings.
Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber defended the decision, stating that there was no rule requiring the MLS Cup winner to be in the Club World Cup. The tournament features some exciting matchups, including Paris Saint-Germain v Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid facing Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in Group H.
The group stage draw has revealed an intriguing lineup for the competition, with teams from across the globe set to battle it out for the coveted title.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/05/messis-inter-miami-to-open-2025-club-world-cup-as-man-city-drawn-with-juventus