Thirty-two of the best club sides on the planet go head-to-head to be crowned Club World Cup champions, writes Nick Said.
The Club World Cup will be staged across the United States from 14 June to 13 July as the first expanded edition of the tournament is played with a reported $1 billion pot of prize money.
The biggest clubs and the best players from each of FIFA’s six confederations will battle it out for supremacy, including our very own Mamelodi Sundowns.
Here is a rundown of the groups and the prospects of the teams.
GROUP A
Teams: Palmeiras (BRA), FC Porto (POR), Al Ahly (EGY), Inter Miami (USA)
Let’s be honest here, Inter Miami are only playing in this tournament because they have Lionel Messi in their squad and FIFA want his star quality at the Club World Cup. They did not earn their place on the pitch. But Africa’s Egyptian giants Al Ahly may well look at this pool as an opportunity, with Miami beatable, and the two good, but not great, sides in Brazilian outfit Palmeiras and FC Porto from Portugal. This is a real chance to advance to the round of 16.
GROUP B
Teams: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Botafogo (BRA), Seattle Sounders (USA)
The two overwhelming favourites in this pool will be French giants Paris Saint-Germain and the always competitive Atlético Madrid from Spain. Botafogo exemplifies a typical Brazilian team with talented players abound, but their best prospects have long been exported to Europe. Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders will do well to make an impression.
GROUP C
Teams: Bayern Munich (GER), Auckland City (NZL), Boca Juniors (ARG), Benfica (POR)
Everyone in this pool will beat New Zealand side Auckland City. Bayern Munich should have ample star quality on the big stage, leaving perhaps a shootout between famed Argentine side Boca Juniors and Benfica for a top two spot. That looks a tough one to call, with the smart money perhaps on the South American side. Both clubs are steeped in history and it will be fascinating to see them go head-to-head.
GROUP D
Teams: Flamengo (BRA), Espérance (TUN), Chelsea (ENG), LAFC (USA)/Club América (MEX)
Mexican side Club León were axed from this pool as they share ownership with compatriots Pachuca, who are in Group H, which violates FIFA rules at their competitions. One had to go and León were given the boot. Chelsea will be obvious favourites along with Brazilian side Flamengo, while Esperance will be tough to beat, but lack fire-power against top teams.
GROUP E
Teams: River Plate (ARG), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Monterrey (MEX), Inter Milan (ITA)
A real mix of teams in this group with four continents represented, but Inter Milan from Italy and River Plate of Argentina will be heavily fancied to advance in the top two. Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds are a tricky but beatable opponent and Monterrey from Mexico will be set on making an impression as they are arguably the weakest team in the pool.
GROUP F
Teams: Fluminense (BRA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Ulsan HD (KOR), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Many people will view Mamelodi Sundowns as the underdogs in the group, though they must believe South Korean side Ulsan HD are beatable. Borussia Dortmund have had a poor season in the Bundesliga, but are a quality squad, while Fluminense are a tough opponent. Top two looks a stretch, but they have to believe they can pull it off. Sundowns have the potential to advance, but can they rise to the challenge of defending against higher-calibre attackers than they are accustomed to?
GROUP G
Teams: Manchester City (ENG), Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Al Ain (UAE), Juventus (ITA)
There is a South African flavour to this group as well with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca coached by Rulani Mokwena. They will believe they can beat UAE side Al Ain but are up against two established European giants in Juventus and Manchester City. Mokwena is a confirmed disciple of Pep Guardiola, and has said several times Guardiola is his coaching hero, so this will be an incredibly special day for him when the two teams meet.
GROUP H
Teams: Real Madrid (ESP), Al Hilal (KSA), Pachuca (MEX), FC Salzburg (AUT)
Real Madrid are the standout team in a pool that is otherwise tough to call with the three other participants. Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal have the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, João Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while Pachuca and Salzburg will also fancy their chances of going through. But outside of Madrid, those are three evenly-matched teams.
HOW THE TEAMS QUALIFIED
Al Ahly (EGY) – CAF Champions League winner
Wydad Casablanca (MAR) – CAF Champions League winner
Espérance (TUN) – CAF ranking pathway
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) – CAF ranking pathway
Al Hilal (KSA) – AFC Champions League winner
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) – AFC Champions League winner
Al Ain (UAE) – AFC Champions League winner
Ulsan HD (KOR) – AFC ranking pathway
Chelsea (ENG) – UEFA Champions League winner
Real Madrid (ESP) – UEFA Champions League winner
Manchester City (ENG) – UEFA Champions League winner
Bayern Munich (GER) – UEFA ranking pathway
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) – UEFA ranking pathway
Inter Milan (ITA) – UEFA ranking pathway
FC Porto (POR) – UEFA ranking pathway
Benfica (POR) – UEFA ranking pathway
Borussia Dortmund (GER) – UEFA ranking pathway
Juventus (ITA) – UEFA ranking pathway
Atlético Madrid (ESP) – UEFA ranking pathway
FC Salzburg (AUT) – UEFA ranking pathway
Monterrey (MEX) – Concacaf Champions Cup winner
Seattle Sounders (USA) – Concacaf Champions Cup winner
LAFC/Club América – The winner of this playoff replaces Léon, who were disqualified from the tournament because of multiple ownership .
Pachuca (MEX) – Concacaf Champions Cup winner
Auckland City (NZL) – OFC ranking pathway
Palmeiras (BRA) – Libertadores Cup winner
Flamengo (BRA) – Libertadores Cup winner
Fluminense FC (BRA) – Libertadores Cup winner
Botafogo (BRA) -Libertadores Cup winner
River Plate (ARG) – CONMEBOL ranking pathway
CA Boca Juniors (ARG) – CONMEBOL ranking pathway
Inter Miami CF (USA) – Host nation slot.
