Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egyptian club Al Ahly
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will open the Club World Cup against Egyptian club Al Ahly, with Palmeiras and Porto also part of that group for the tournament that will take place in the U.S. next year
MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami now know their path for next year's Club World Cup.
The host team — invited by FIFA to compete despite criticism from many in the soccer world — will play the tournament's first match on June 15 against Egyptian club Al Ahly, as part of a group that will also feature Palmeiras and Porto.
Other opening matches include Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid and Brazilian club Botafogo playing at Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders in Group B; Monterrey against Inter Milan in Group E; and Real Madrid facing the Saudi club Al-Hilal — potentially a showdown pitting superstars Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and Neymar for Al-Hilal if the Brazilian great remains with that club.
“Anytime that you have certain things where soccer is big and you bring it to the U.S., it's going to be a great atmosphere and entertaining," said baseball great Ken Griffey Jr., part of the Sounders' ownership group.
