Premier League champions Manchester City have been drawn with Juventus, Wydad Casablanca and Al Ain on Thursday in Group G for subsequent 12 months’s FIFA Club World Cup within the United States.
Lionel Messi and MLS aspect Inter Miami are in Group A and can face Al Ahly within the opening match of the expanded 32-team event earlier than video games in opposition to Porto and Palmeiras.
The event, that includes high groups from world wide, can be held in 12 stadiums across the nation from June 15-July 13 and function a costume rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Among the powerhouse golf equipment within the subject are Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. There’s additionally the 4 highest-ranked groups from South America: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
And Messi’s workforce, as a consultant of the host nation, will get the excellence of taking part in the primary match. It’ll occur at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“It’s about inclusivity, it is about bringing golf equipment from all around the world, the 32 greatest golf equipment and greatest gamers from all around the world collectively,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino mentioned.
Other opening matchups embrace: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid and Botafogo taking part in at Seattle in Group B; Monterrey in opposition to Inter Milan in Group E; and Real Madrid dealing with the Saudi membership Al-Hilal in Group H — a showdown of superstars, with Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and probably Neymar for Al-Hilal.
Manchester City gained the newest Club World Cup in 2023 beneath the previous format and are fourth within the Premier League after being hit onerous by accidents to key gamers corresponding to Spain midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
City, who this 12 months gained an unprecedented fourth straight English Premier League title, will face Wydad Casablanca of their opening match and Al Ain earlier than closing out the group stage in opposition to Juventus.
Miami have been the penultimate workforce added to the event after profitable the Supporters’ Shield for ending high of the MLS standings within the common season earlier than shedding within the first spherical of the MLS playoffs final month.
“We at all times need to play in opposition to the very best groups on the earth,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber mentioned. “This is a chance to indicate virtually 30 years of growth in our league. Now, to have the ability to play in opposition to the very best on the earth in our nation, it is tremendous thrilling.”
Brazilian aspect Botafogo solely secured the ultimate spot within the event final week by profitable their first Copa Libertadores title.
Chelsea will start Group D play in opposition to Leon earlier than dealing with Flamengo and Esperance, whereas Group F is made up of Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The membership competitors makes use of the normal 32-team format utilized by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin teams of 4 groups every have been drawn Thursday, with the highest two from every group advancing to a knockout bracket of 16.
Europe received 12 spots and South America six to guide the sector, whereas Africa, Asia and North America all received 4 – with Inter Miami primarily a fifth from North America because it has host standing. Oceania received one spot.
The draw, performed by Italy World Cup winner and former Juventus nice Alessandro Del Piero, included a recorded message from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
“The occasion goes to be unbelievable. I’ll attempt to be there. If I can I’d, we’ll see what occurs,” Trump mentioned.
Club World Cup draw:
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used on this story.
