Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will kick off FIFA’s newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup on June 15, facing Egypt’s Al Ahly in the tournament opener, according to Thursday’s draw. The competition will feature eight groups, with Brazil’s Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto joining Inter Miami and Al Ahly in Group A.
Messi, an Argentina World Cup winner, secured a spot in the tournament alongside his MLS team after FIFA awarded Inter Miami a place based on their regular-season performance.
Another highly anticipated match will see Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Neymar, now representing Al Hilal, face European champions Real Madrid in Group H.
Twelve European clubs are participating, including Manchester City, who will compete against Juventus in Group G, and Paris Saint-Germain, drawn into a challenging Group B with Atletico Madrid, Brazil’s Botafogo, and the Seattle Sounders.
The draw was held in Miami and featured appearances by club officials and former players. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also delivered a video message, wishing the teams well during the 90-minute live broadcast. The tournament will conclude on July 13, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA has faced criticism over the introduction of the expanded Club World Cup, with groups like FIFPro and the European Leagues filing a joint complaint to the European Commission, arguing that the competition exacerbates player workload and scheduling congestion.
Despite these concerns, FIFA announced a global partnership with streaming platform DAZN, which will broadcast all matches free of charge.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup Draw
• 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 (KOR), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
• Group G: Manchester City (ENG), Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Al Ain (UAE), Juventus (ITA)
• Group H: Real Madrid (ESP), Al Hilal (KSA), Pachuca (MEX), RB Salzburg (AUT)
