Premier League champions Manchester City will face Juventus, Wydad Casablanca, and Al Ain in Group G of the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup.
The tournament, scheduled for June 15 to July 13 in the United States, marks the first time it will feature an expanded 32-team format.
Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, has been placed in Group A alongside Al Ahly, Porto, and Palmeiras.
They will play the opening match against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The event will take place across 12 stadiums, serving as a prelude to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Notable clubs in the competition include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan.
South American heavyweights Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, and Fluminense will also participate.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the global scope of the tournament, stating:
“It’s about inclusivity, bringing the best clubs and players together from all over the world.”
Opening Match Highlights
Key matches on the first day include Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid and Botafogo playing Seattle in Group B. Other marquee games feature Real Madrid against Al-Hilal in Group H, a potential clash between Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, and Monterrey vs. Inter Milan in Group E.
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Manchester City’s Campaign
Defending champions Manchester City, winners of the 2023 Club World Cup in its previous format, will begin their title defense against Wydad Casablanca.
They’ll also face Al Ain and close their group stage with a high-profile match against Juventus. Despite recent injuries to stars like Rodri, City remains a formidable force.
Inter Miami and MLS Excitement
Inter Miami earned their spot as hosts after topping the MLS standings during the regular season. Although they exited early in the playoffs, their participation represents a milestone for Major League Soccer. Commissioner Don Garber expressed enthusiasm:
“This is an opportunity to showcase 30 years of growth in our league against the best teams in the world.”
Tournament Structure
The competition mirrors the traditional 32-team FIFA World Cup format, with eight groups of four teams.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage. Europe leads with 12 spots, followed by South America with six, while Africa, Asia, and North America each have four.
Oceania received one spot, and Inter Miami secured a fifth for North America as hosts.
Group Stage Draw
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg
