MIAMI — Although the FIFA Club World Cup is still several months away, enthusiasm for the event surged this week.

President-elect Donald Trump even expressed his excitement through a video during Thursday’s group draw for the tournament, which includes 32 teams representing some of the finest soccer clubs worldwide.

“This event is going to be spectacular. I hope to attend; we’ll see if that’s possible,” Trump remarked, also commending FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “With Gianni leading, you have a winner. He’s the President, and I’m the President, and we’ve known each other for quite some time.

“Soccer is booming in America, as everyone knows,” Trump added. “It’s doing incredibly well.”

Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami and his influence on Major League Soccer have undoubtedly contributed to this surge.

Messi and Inter Miami will kick off the Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al Ahly at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on June 15, 2025. They are joined in Group A by Brazil’s Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto.

“It’s amazing to open the Club World Cup here at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, showcasing the transformational impact Lionel Messi has made—not just in American sports, but in altering the global perception of American soccer,” said Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas.

“The world’s eyes will be on Miami, and millions will tune in to watch. It’s a significant challenge and a tremendous opportunity for us.”

In Group B, Paris Saint-Germain (France) and Atletico Madrid (Spain) stand out, while the Seattle Sounders will face Brazil’s Botafogo at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Sounders are the second MLS team in the tournament, having secured their spot by winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup.

“We aim to expand the reach of soccer in the U.S., which is crucial,” said baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr., a member of the Sounders’ ownership group.

Other notable teams include Bayern Munich (Germany) leading Group C, Chelsea (England) in Group D, Inter Milan (Italy) in Group E, and Borussia Dortmund (Germany) in Group F.

Group G features Manchester City (England) and Juventus (Italy), while Group H showcases Real Madrid (Spain) against Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) in an anticipated opening match.

Every group will undergo a round-robin stage, with the top two teams from each group moving on to the knockout rounds.

“This tournament is about inclusivity, uniting the finest clubs and players from around the globe,” Infantino shared.

However, the inclusion of Messi and Inter Miami sparked some debate.

Chosen by FIFA as the host nation last month after securing the MLS Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami will represent the USA.

Even as the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls compete for the MLS Cup on Saturday, MLS commissioner Don Garber supports Inter Miami’s participation alongside Seattle. He clarified that he was not involved in FIFA’s selection process.

“There was no requirement that the MLS Cup champion must be in the Club World Cup,” Garber explained. “My focus is on what benefits this showcase and our league best. I support FIFA’s decision and look forward to putting Miami and Seattle on a global stage for audiences everywhere.”

FIFA Club World Cup Group Draw

Group A

• A1: Palmeiras (Brazil) – 2021 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• A2: Porto (Portugal) – UEFA ranking pathway
• A3: Al Ahly (Egypt) – 2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24 CAF Champions League
• A4: Inter Miami (USA) – FIFA host nation

Group B

• B1: Paris Saint-Germain (France) – UEFA ranking pathway
• B2: Atletico Madrid (Spain) – UEFA ranking pathway
• B3: Botafogo (Brazil) – 2024 Conmebol winners
• B4: Seattle Sounders (USA) – 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup

Group C:

• C1: Bayern Munich (Germany) – UEFA ranking pathway
• C2: Auckland City (New Zealand) – OFC ranking pathway
• C3: Boca Juniors (Argentina) – CONMEBOL ranking pathway
• C4: Benfica (Portugal) – UEFA ranking pathway

Group D:

• D1: Flamengo (Brazil) – 2022 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• D2: ES Tunis (Tunisia) – CAF ranking pathway
• D3: Chelsea (England) – 2020/21 UEFA Champions League
• D4: Club Leon (Mexico) – 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup

Group E:

• E1: River Plate (Argentina) – CONMEBOL ranking pathway
• E2: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) – 2022 AFC Champions League
• E3: Monterrey (Mexico) – 2021 Concacaf Champions Cup
• E4: Inter Milan (Italy) – UEFA ranking pathway

Group F:

• F1: Fluminense (Brazil) – 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• F2: Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – UEFA ranking pathway
• F3: Ulsan HD FC (South Korea) – AFC ranking pathway
• F4: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – CAF ranking pathway

Group G:

• G1: Manchester City (England) – 2022/23 UEFA Champions League
• G2: Wydad (Morocco) – 2021/22 CAF Champions League
• G3: Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) – 2023/24 AFC Champions League
• G4: Juventus (Italy) – UEFA ranking pathway

Group H:

• H1: Real Madrid (Spain)
• H1: UEFA Champions League – 2021/22 and 2023/24
• H2: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 2021 AFC Champions League
• H3: Pachuca (Mexico) – 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup
• H4: FC Salzburg (Austria) – UEFA ranking pathway

Watch the Club World Cup Live for Free on DAZN

FIFA has declared that the Club World Cup will be streamed live and free on DAZN.

Where Will the Club World Cup Matches Be Held?

• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
• Lumen Field (Seattle)
• MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
• Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles)
• GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
• Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)

Participating Teams in the Club World Cup

A total of 12 teams from UEFA representing Europe, six teams from Conmebol in South America, four from Concacaf in North America, four from the Asian Football Confederation, four from the Confederation of African Football, and one team from Oceania, alongside the host team, will compete.

Below is the list of teams and their qualification details:

CONCACAF: North America, Central America and the Caribbean

• Monterrey (Mexico) – 2021 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Seattle Sounders (USA) – 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Club Leon (Mexico) – 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Pachuca (Mexico) – 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Inter Miami (USA) – 2025 Club World Cup host slot

CONMEBOL: South America

• Palmeiras (Brazil) – 2021 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• Flamengo (Brazil) – 2022 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• Fluminense (Brazil) – 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• River Plate (Argentina) – CONMEBOL ranking pathway
• Boca Juniors (Argentina) – CONMEBOL ranking pathway
• Botafogo (Brazil) – 2024 Conmebol winners

UEFA: Union of European Football Associations

• Chelsea (England) – 2020/21 UEFA Champions League
• Real Madrid (Spain) – 2021/22 and 2023/24 UEFA Champions League
• Manchester City (England) – 2022/23 UEFA Champions League
• Bayern Munich (Germany) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Paris Saint-Germain (France) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Inter Milan (Italy) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Porto (Portugal) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Benfica (Portugal) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Juventus (Italy) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Atletico Madrid (Spain) – UEFA ranking pathway
• FC Salzburg (Austria) – UEFA ranking pathway

AFC: Asian Football Confederation

• Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 2021 AFC Champions League
• Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) – 2022 AFC Champions League
• Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) – 2023/24 AFC Champions League
• Ulsan HD FC (South Korea) – AFC ranking pathway

CAF: Confederation of African Football

• Al Ahly (Egypt) – 2020/21, 2022/23 and 2023/24 CAF Champions League
• Wydad (Morocco) – 2021/22 CAF Champions League
• ES Tunis (Tunisia) – CAF ranking pathway
• Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – CAF ranking pathway

OFC: Oceania Football Confederation

• Auckland City (New Zealand) – OFC ranking pathway