Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami — invited by FIFA to compete despite criticism from many in the soccer world — will play the Club World Cup’s first match on 15 June against Egyptian club Al Ahly, as part of a group that will also feature Palmeiras and Porto.
Other opening matches include Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid and Brazilian club Botafogo playing at Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders in Group B; Monterrey against Inter Milan in Group E; and Real Madrid facing the Saudi club Al-Hilal — potentially a showdown pitting superstars Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and Neymar for Al-Hilal if the Brazilian great remains with that club.
“Anytime that you have certain things where soccer is big and you bring it to the U.S., it’s going to be a great atmosphere and entertaining,” said baseball great Ken Griffey Jr., part of the Sounders’ ownership group.
His club will get the chance to play one of the world’s storied teams in PSG during group play.
“I’m going to leave that one alone,” Griffey said, smiling.
The draw was held Thursday in Miami, with the 32 teams finally finding out their first three opponents in the newly expanded event.
The tournament will be held in the U.S. from June 15 to July 13, using 12 stadiums in 11 different cities. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same stadium that will play host to the 2026 World Cup final.
Among the powerhouse clubs in the field: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. There’s also the four highest-ranked teams from South America: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
And Messi’s team, as a representative of the host nation, gets the distinction of playing the first match. It’ll happen at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“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.
Some would argue it’s not the 32 “best” clubs. Inter Miami’s selection was widely panned by critics, the volume of that only rising after the team that won the Supporters Shield as the best MLS team in the regular season — with a record-setting point total — lost in Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs.
“There’s no controversy,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said.
