Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will open FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup when the Major League Soccer team faces Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening match on June 15, the draw for the tournament was revealed on Thursday. Brazilian team Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto complete Group A along with Argentine World Cup winner Messi, whose Miami team was granted a spot by FIFA after topping the regular season standings in MLS. Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Brazilian Neymar, will reunite with La Liga rivals and European champions Real Madrid in Group H.
Twelve European clubs will take part in the tournament, with Manchester City facing Juventus in Group G of the tournament, which FIFA President Gianni Infantino said will “mark the beginning of a new era in club football”.
Paris Saint-Germain were drawn in a tough group with Atlético Madrid, Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo of Brazil and Seattle Sounders.
FIFA has had to deal with some skepticism over the necessity of the tournament and its chances of capturing the imagination of fans, but there was considerable support for the competition in the draw.
Club officials and former players gathered for Thursday’s draw and US President-elect Donald Trump sent his best wishes in a video message ahead of the ceremony, which took place during a 90-minute live broadcast from a television studio in Miami.
“This event is going to be incredible,” Trump said in his message. He praised Infantino as a “winner”.
He said, “We have known each other for a long time and I am very honored to have this kind of relationship because as everyone knows football is reaching its peak.”
The United States will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
club supporter
Trump’s daughter Ivanka took part in the draw, which was presented by former Juventus and Italy forward Alessandro Del Piero and included celebrities such as model Adriana Lima.
The final of the tournament will be held on July 13 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA has struggled to find sponsors and broadcasters for the new tournament, but on Wednesday announced a global deal with streaming company DAZN that will show the games for free.
The world governing body has faced opposition from some in the sport over the new tournament.
FIFPro and the European league body filed a joint complaint with the European Commission against FIFA over the tournament’s inclusion in the international match calendar.
Opponents of the new tournament have said it adds more congestion to an already crowded schedule and increases the workload on players.
But the following year there was little support for the competition from the represented clubs and leagues.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is also president of the European Club Association, said, “We are very supportive of this tournament, we are excited.”
Al-Khelaifi said the tournament is a better way for clubs to showcase themselves than pre-season friendly tours in the USA and will help PSG spread their brand.
Support also came from Don Garber, commissioner of Major League Soccer and vice president of the World Leagues Association.
“It took time for the tournament to generate the interest you see here today,” the American said.
“Good things come to people who work and FIFA works and we are going to include many of our stadiums in this.”
“There are 100 million fans who call it league (club) soccer and they’re interested in watching MLS teams and Mexican teams and watching teams from all over Europe, South America and the rest of the world, so I’m excited about it.” , I really am,” Garber said.
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