Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will open FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup, taking on Egypt’s Al Ahly in the tournament’s opener on 15th June, as revealed by the draw on Thursday.
Brazilian side Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto join Messi, the Argentine World Cup winner, and his Inter Miami team in Group A. Miami secured their spot in the tournament after FIFA awarded them a place for finishing top of the regular season standings in Major League Soccer.
Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Brazilian star Neymar, will face a reunion with La Liga rivals and European champions Real Madrid in Group H.
Twelve European clubs will participate, with Manchester City taking on Juventus in Group G.
Paris Saint-Germain landed in a challenging group alongside Atletico Madrid, Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo of Brazil, and Seattle Sounders.
The draw, held in Miami, saw club officials and former players in attendance. United States President-elect Donald Trump shared his well wishes in a video message during the 90-minute live broadcast from a Miami television studio.
The tournament’s final will be hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 13th July.
FIFA Faces Challenges with New Tournament
FIFA has struggled to secure sponsors and broadcasters for the revamped Club World Cup but announced on Wednesday a global partnership with streaming platform DAZN, which will stream the matches for free.
The new format has faced criticism from some football stakeholders. FIFPRO and the European Leagues group have filed a joint complaint with the European Commission, opposing the tournament’s addition to an already congested international match calendar. Critics argue that the competition increases fixture congestion and places undue strain on players.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup Draw
The group stage draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, announced on Thursday, is as follows:
Group A
- Palmeiras (BRA)
- Porto (POR)
- Al Ahly (EGY)
- Inter Miami (USA)
Group B
- Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
- Atletico Madrid (ESP)
- Botafogo (BRA)
- Seattle Sounders (USA)
Group C
- Bayern Munich (GER)
- Auckland City FC (NZL)
- Boca Juniors (ARG)
- Benfica (POR)
Group D
- Flamengo (BRA)
- Esperance (TUN)
- Chelsea (ENG)
- Club Leon (MEX)
Group E
- River Plate (ARG)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
- Monterrey (MEX)
- Inter Milan (ITA)
Group F
- Fluminense (BRA)
- Borussia Dortmund (GER)
- Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR)
- Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Group G
- Manchester City (ENG)
- Wydad (MAR)
- Al Ain (UAE)
- Juventus (ITA)
Group H
- Real Madrid (ESP)
- Al Hilal (KSA)
- Pachuca (MEX)
- RB Salzburg (AUT)