- Draw for the new 32-team tournament has been made
- Will feature top clubs from the biggest leagues around the world
- Club World Cup with take place in the US next summer
At a glitzy ceremony, the draw for the 32-team Club World Cup was made last night, ahead of the tournament beginning next summer in the US.
The 90-minute ceremony, held over two sites in Miami, was presided over by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, and saw the teams drawn into eight groups of four for the initial stage of the competition.
But what is the Club World Cup? Here is what we know.
What is the Club World Cup
The tournament is a revamped and much expanded version of the existing annual Fifa Club World Cup, which has been expanded to 32 teams. It will take place in the United States between 15 June and 13 July next year.
Teams have qualified either by winning a continental title, such as the Champions League, in one of the past four seasons, or by “having a high ranking of performance in the top-level continental tournament over a four-year period,” according to Fifa.
The previous iteration of the Club World Cup saw seven teams compete – the winners of the continental club competitions – every year in December. England’s Manchester City are the current Club World Cup champions.
However, due to the expanded nature of the Club World Cup, it is expected it will only take place every four years.
Who is playing in the Club World Cup
There are 32 teams taking part in the Club World Cup, from the six major confederations around the world. The most teams from one confederation is 12, which come from UEFA.
The full draw is as follows:
Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Group D: Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunisie, Chelsea, Club Leon
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg
The opening match will see Inter Miami take on Al Ahly from Egypt at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Matches will be held at 12 stadiums across the US, many of which will also hold matches at the 2028 Fifa World Cup, which the US is hosting, along with Canada and Mexico.
What is the format of the Club World Cup
The format is similar to recent FIFA World Cups. The 32 teams are split into groups of four. Each team plays each other once, and the top two from each group progress to the last 16.
From the last 16 onwards, the competition is a straight knockout tournament.
Is this controversial?
Yes. This new tournament, which replaces the long-established previous version has encountered controversy since it was announced.
Firstly, the new tournament adds to the already congested global fixture list. While no major mens tournaments are staged in 2025, it comes just a year before the next Fifa World Cup, and a year after some continental competitions, such as the European Championships.
Global football player union FIFPRO has been a vocal critic, saying it is putting too much strain on top players, and not giving them enough time for rest and recovery. For many, it will come after a 10-month season and just weeks before a new season begins.
There was also controversy over the decision to award a discretionary place to a club from the host nation. Inter Miami were awarded the place, which some feel was to ensure that Lionel Messi features. Regarded as one of the best players of all time, Messi is still a huge global draw, despite his advancing years.
Where will I be able to watch the World Club Cup
Streaming service DAZN has exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament. Details of timings will be announced closer to the tournament kicking off.
