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FIFA Club World Cup group draw: Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders know their opponents

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2 weeks ago

December 5, 2024

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FIFA Club World Cup group draw: Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders know their opponents

MIAMI — The FIFA Club World Cup may be a summer away, but excitement for the tournament reached new heights this week.

Even President-elect Donald Trump shared his enthusiasm with a video statement during Thursday’s group draw for the 32-team tournament feature some of the best soccer teams from around the world.

“The event is going to be incredible. I will try to be there. If I can, I would. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said before praising FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “But I just want to say you’re led by Gianni. He’s a winner. He’s the President, and I’m the President. And we’ve known each other for a long time.

“Soccer is going through the roof in America, as everybody knows,” Trump added. “It’s doing fantastically well.”

Lionel Messi’s presence with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer has surely helped.

Messi and Inter Miami will play the Club World Cup opening game against Egyptian powerhouse Al Alhy in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on June 15, 2025. They’re joined by Brazilian side Palmeiras and Portuguese side Porto in Group A of the tournament.

“It’s fantastic to be able to open the Club World Cup here in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, and show the world what Lionel Messi has done which is not only change this sport in American, but change the perception of American soccer around the world,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said.

“The eyes of the world will be here, and hundreds of millions of people will watch that game. It’s a great challenge but a great opportunity for us.”

Paris Saint-Germain (France) and Atletico Madrid (Spain) lead Group B, where the Seattle Sounders will open against Brazilian side Botafogo at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Sounders, the second MLS team in the field, qualified after winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup.

“You’re looking at how you’re going to grow the game of football in the U.S. That’s the important thing,” said baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr., who is part of the Sounders’ ownership group.

Among other teams in the field: Bayern Munich (Germany) leads Group C, Chelsea (England) will be featured in Group D, Inter Milan (Italy) headlines Group E, Borussia Dortmund (Germany) is in Group F.

Manchester City (England) and Juventus (Italy) headline Group G, while Real Madrid (Spain) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) will be a must-watch opener in Group H.

Each group will play three matches during the group stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

“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,” Infantino said.

Including Messi and Inter Miami, however, did not come without some controversy.

Inter Miami was selected by FIFA last month as the host nation after winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield, the regular-season title, this season.

While the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls will play for the MLS Cup title on Saturday, MLS commissioner Don Garber had no problem with Inter Miami joining Seattle in the tournament. He also had no part in FIFA’s decision.

“There was no rule that said the MLS Cup winner had to be in the Club World Cup,” Garber said. “I have no interest in anything other than what I think is going to be best for this showcase, best for our league. I am supportive of the decision FIFA made, and I’m excited to put Miami and Seattle in a global media deal that’ll be seen around the world.”