Club World Cup: Messi, Inter Miami drawn in Group A
Inter Miami were drawn with Porto, Palmeiras, and Al Ahly in Group A on Thursday for next year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
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Club World Cup group draw revealed
The 32 clubs are taking part in the 2025 tournament learned their group-stage opponents on Thursday.
The Club World Cup will begin on June 15 and will be hosted at 12 stadiums across the United States.
Powerhouse clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan will participate in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense are the four highest-ranked South American clubs included in the Club World Cup.
MLS side Inter Miami, along with the Seattle Sounders, will represent the United States.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will face Al Ahly in the opener.
Miami were the second-to-last team added to the tournament, earning their spot by winning the Supporters’ Shield for finishing atop the MLS standings in the regular season, despite being eliminated in the first round of the MLS playoffs last month.
“It’s about inclusivity, it’s about bringing clubs from all over the world, the 32 best clubs and best players from all over the world together,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
Meanwhile, Brazilian side Botafogo secured the final spot in the tournament last week after winning their first Copa Libertadores title.
Other opening matchups include Paris Saint-Germain taking on Atletico Madrid and Botafogo facing Seattle in Group B.
Mexico’s Monterrey will go up against Serie A giants Inter Milan in Group E, while Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid will square off against Neymar and Saudi club Al-Hilal in Group H.
Manchester City, drawn in Group G, won the most recent Club World Cup in 2023 under the old format.
US President Trump excited for Club World Cup
The tournament follows the classic 32-team format used in the FIFA World Cup from 1998 to 2022.
Eight round-robin groups, each consisting of four teams, were drawn on Thursday.
The top two teams from each group will advance to a 16-team knockout stage.
Italy’s World Cup winner and former Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero conducted the draw, while U.S. President-elect Donald Trump contributed a recorded message during the ceremony.
“The event is going to be incredible. I will try and be there. If I can I would, we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.
Full 2025 Club World Cup draw
GROUP A
1. Palmeiras (Brazil)
2. Porto (Portugal)
3. Al Ahly (Egypt)
4. Inter Miami (U.S.)
GROUP B
1. PSG (France)
2. Atlético Madrid (Spain)
3. Botafogo (Brazil)
4. Seattle Sounders (U.S.)
GROUP C
1. Bayern Munich (Germany)
2. Auckland City (New Zealand)
3. Boca Juniors (Argentina)
4. Benfica (Portugal)
GROUP D
1. Flamengo (Brazil)
2. Espérance (Tunisia)
3. Chelsea (England)
4. León (Mexico)
GROUP E
1. River Plate (Argentina)
2. Urawa Reds (Japan)
3. Monterrey (Mexico)
4. Inter Milan (Italy)
GROUP F
1. Fluminense (Brazil)
2. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
3. Ulsan (South Korea)
4. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
GROUP G
1. Manchester City (England)
2. Wydad (Morocco)
3. Al Ain (UAE)
4. Juventus (Italy)
GROUP H
1. Real Madrid (Spain)
2. Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
3. Pachuca (Mexico)
4. RB Salzburg (Austria)
