MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to play Egyptian club Al Ahly in the opening round of the Club World Cup, with Palmeiras and Porto also included in the group for next year’s tournament in the United States. It will be done.
The drawing was held Thursday in Miami to finalize the 32 teams’ first three opponents in the newly expanded event.
The tournament will be held from June 15th to July 13th in 12 stadiums in 11 cities in the United States. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup Final.
Powerful clubs in this field include Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. There are also four of South America’s highest-ranked teams: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
Messi’s team will then have the honor of representing the host country in the first match. It will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“This is about inclusivity, about bringing together clubs from all over the world, the 32 best clubs and the best players from all over the world,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
Some would argue that it’s not the “best” club of the 32. Inter Miami’s selection was widely panned by critics, but the team that won the Supporters’ Shield as the best MLS team in the regular season and had a record points total lost in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. After that, its reputation increased even further. .
“There’s no debate,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said.
Major League Soccer had two teams: Seattle and Inter Miami. The Sounders qualified and Inter Miami will represent the host nation.
Other opening matches include Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid in Group B and Brazilian club Botafogo facing Seattle. In Group E, Monterrey vs. Inter Milan. In Group H, Real Madrid will face Saudi club Al Hilal. It’s a superstar showdown with Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and Neymar for Al Hilal.
The club competition follows the traditional 32-team format used in World Cups from 1998 to 2022. Eight round robin groups of four teams each were drawn on Thursday, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the 16-man knockout bracket.
Europe took the lead with 12 spots, followed by South America with 6 spots, while Africa, Asia and North America all got 4 spots, effectively making Inter Miami one-fifth of North America’s spot as they are the hosts. Ta. Oceania received one spot.
“There is no rule that says an MLS Cup winner has to play in the Club World Cup,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “I have no interest in anything other than what I think is best for the showcase and what I think is best for our league. We are excited to secure a media deal and be featured around the world.”
Mas said that Inter Miami having the privilege of playing the tournament’s opening game at home is “a testament to our community, to the soccer culture we have here.”
“Who would have told us five years ago, when we didn’t have a club, that we would be here today with a draw against the best team in the world,” Mas said. “That’s what we aim for. That’s what we dream of.”
Copyright 2024 Associated Press. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
