Lionel Messi to kick off new Club World Cup, Neymar to face Real Madrid

MIAMI – Inter Miami, led by Argentina’s World Cup-winning skipper Lionel Messi, will kick off Fifa’s new 32-team Club World Cup when the Major League Soccer (MLS) side take on Egypt’s Al Ahly in the June 15 opener, the draw for the tournament on Dec 5 revealed.

Joining the Miami side, who were handed a spot by Fifa after finishing top of the regular season standings in MLS, in Group A are Brazilian team Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto.

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Neymar who is now with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, will have a reunion with La Liga rivals and European champions Real Madrid in Group H.

Twelve European clubs – with Manchester City facing Juventus in Group G – will feature in the tournament which Fifa president Gianni Infantino said would “start a new era in club football”.

Paris Saint-Germain were drawn in a tough group with Atletico Madrid, Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo of Brazil and MLS’ Seattle Sounders.

Fifa has had to deal with some scepticism over the need for the tournament due to the packed schedule in football, but there was plenty of support for the competition among those at the draw.

Club officials and former players gathered for the event, and United States President-elect Donald Trump sent his best wishes in a video message before the ceremony, which took place in Miami.

“The event is going to be incredible,” said Trump in his message in which he praised Infantino as a “winner”.

“We’ve known each other a long time and I’m so honoured to have this kind of relationship because soccer is going through the roof as everyone knows.”

The US will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.

Trump’s daughter Ivanka took part in the draw, which was presented by former Juventus and Italy forward Alessandro del Piero, and featured celebrities such as model Adriana Lima.

The final of the 63-game tournament will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.

Fifa had struggled to find sponsors and broadcasters for the new tournament but, on Dec 4, announced a global deal with streaming company DAZN, which will show the games for free.

The world governing body has faced opposition from some in the game over the new tournament.

Fifpro and the European Leagues body filed a joint complaint to the European Commission against Fifa over the introduction of the tournament into the international match calendar.

Opponents of the new tournament have said it adds further congestion to an already crowded schedule, and increases the workload of players. But there was backing for the competition from the clubs and leagues who will be represented in 2025.

“We are very supportive of this tournament, we are excited,” said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is also chairman of the European Club Association.

He said the tournament was a better way for clubs to perform in the US than in pre-season friendly tours, and would help PSG to spread their brand.

There was also support from Don Garber, commissioner of MLS and vice-chairman of the World Leagues Association.

“The tournament took time to generate all the interest that you are seeing here today. Fifa put in the work, and we’re going to have lots of our stadiums involved,” said the American.

“There are 100 million fans who follow what we call league (club) soccer and they’re going to be interested to see MLS teams and Mexican teams and see teams from all Europe, South America and the rest of the world. So I’m excited about it, I really am.” AFP