The highly anticipated 2025 Club World Cup is set to kick off next year, with Inter Miami facing off against Egyptian side Al Ahly in the first match. The revamped competition, expanded to include 32 teams from around the world, will be held across 12 venues in the US.
US President-elect Donald Trump attended a pre-recorded video message during the draw ceremony, praising FIFA President Gianni Infantino and looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup. Trump stated that soccer is “going through the roof” as its popularity continues to grow.
The tournament’s format has been revamped, with teams competing in groups of four before advancing to knockout stages. The winner will be crowned on July 13. Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, will play Al Ahly on June 15 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Meanwhile, Manchester City and Juventus will meet in Group G, one of the most blockbuster group ties. The tournament has faced controversy, with players unions and leagues taking legal action against FIFA over the new format. However, FIFA President Infantino argued that the competition will help finance football globally, generating revenue for 211 countries worldwide.
The 63-match tournament will be streamed for free on DAZN worldwide, just two weeks after the Champions League final is played.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/06/sport/club-world-cup-inter-miami-donald-ivanka-trump-spt-intl/index.html