Yesterday, the ceremony draw for the first ever FIFA Club World Cup took place and Paris Saint-Germain now know which teams they will face in the group stage of the competition. The brand new tournament that will take place in the United States will feature 32 teams from six continents. Here is a quick recap of the format of the competition.
With the next FIFA World Cup set to take place in Canada, the United States and Mexico in 2026, the Club World Cup will act as a rehearsal, using the th World Cup's traditional 32-team format. Qualified teams have been determined by the winners of continental club competitions and the confederation's four year rankings.
The competition is set to start on June 15th as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami wil face Al Ahly FC at the Hard Rock Stadium for the inaugural game. There will be 12 venues host the 63 matches that will be played across the United States, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
PSG feature in Group B
Les Rouges et Bleus will feature in Group B and are set to face Atlético Madrid, their recent Champions League opponents, Botafogo who recently won their first Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian club is also part of the Eagle Group, owned by OL's president John Textor. And finally the Seattle Sounders.
Following the draw, Paris Saint-Germain's President delivered a statement:
‘’It's a historic day for Paris Saint-Germain and for the 32 clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, competing to become the best team in the world next summer.
"We always want to fight for the biggest trophies and grow our fan base around the world. Next summer promises to be an exciting tournament in the United States for our players, our supporters and the PSG family."
Here is the complete draw of the competition:
Group A :
SE Palmeiras (BRA)
FC Porto (POR)
Al Ahly FC (EGY)
Inter Miami CF (USA)
Group B :
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Atlético de Madrid (SPA)
Botafogo (BRA)
Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
Group C :
FC Bayern Munich (GER)
Auckland City FC (NZ)
CA Boca Juniors (ARG)
SL Benfica (POR)
Group D :
CR Flamengo (BRA)
Espérance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)
Chelsea FC (ENG)
Club Leon (MEX)
Group E :
CA River Plate (ARG)
Urawa Red Diamonds (JAP)
CF Monterrey (MEX)
FC Internazionale Milan (ITA)
Group F :
Fluminense FC (BRA)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Ulsan HD (KOR)
Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
Group G :
Manchester City (ENG)
Wydad AC (MOR)
Al Ain FC (UAE)
Juventus (ITA)
Group H :
Real Madrid CF (SPA)
Al Hilal (KSA)
CF Pachuca (MEX)
FC Salzburg (AT)