Club World Cup draw in full: Chelsea, Manchester City to face African teams as Messi’s Inter Miami get ‘easy’ group

Ayoola Kelechi 23:44 - 05 December 2024

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw has thrown up some interesting encounters

The excitement for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is building after the group stage draw revealed some intriguing matchups.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Football News from Pulse Sports

The restructured tournament, featuring 32 of the world's top club teams, is set to unfold next summer in the USA, offering fans a spectacle featuring powerhouse European sides alongside spirited African clubs and teams from other continents.

Tough tests for African sides as Messi's Inter Miami get host privileges

African clubs will need to rise to the occasion as they face some of the tournament's strongest teams. Wydad Casablanca have been placed in a challenging group with UEFA Champions League winners Manchester City, Serie A giants Juventus, and UAE's Al Ain.

2023 Champions League winners Manchester City

Esperance of Tunisia face a similarly daunting task, battling it out with Chelsea, Brazilian champions Flamengo, and Mexico's Club Leon.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly will face a mix of flair and resilience in a group featuring Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, the hosts of the tournament, along with Palmeiras and FC Porto.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have already lit up the MLS with Inter Miami | Instagram

Mamelodi Sundowns round off the African contingent and will take on Bundesliga contenders Borussia Dortmund, Brazil's Fluminense, and South Korea's Ulsan.

The draw also delivered heavyweight clashes elsewhere. European champions Real Madrid will test their mettle against Saudi Pro League titans Al Hilal, Mexican champions Pachuca, and RB Salzburg from Austria.