Club World Cup: PSG in a “group of death” with Atlético Madrid and Botafogo

Griezmann in the fight with Hakimi and Marquinhos on November 6th in the Champions League. The two clubs will meet again next June in the United States. MAXPPP – LP/Olivier Lejeune

The draw made this Thursday, December 5th in Miami, was not kind to the Parisians. The competition will take place in the United States from June 15th to July 13th, 2025. 

Real Madrid will face Salzburg, Saudi club Al Hilal and Mexican side Pachuca in the first round of the Club World Cup, according to the draw made this Thursday, December 5 in Miami. The first edition of this new quadrennial competition, which has been heavily criticized by players and national leagues, will take place from June 15 to July 13 in the United States, one year before the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The eight World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras (BRE), Porto (POR), Al Ahly (EGY), Inter Miami (USA)

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Botafogo (BRA), Seattle Sounders (USA)

Group C: Bayern Munich (ALL),  Auckland City FC (NZL), Boca Juniors (ARG), Benfica (POR)

Group D:Flamengo (BRE),   Esperance (TUN), Chelsea (ANG), Club Leon (MEX)

Group E: River Plate (ARG), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Monterrey (MEX), Inter Milan (ITA)

Group F: Fluminense (BRE), Borussia Dortmund (ALL), Ulsan HD FC (KOR), Mamelodi Sundowns (AFS),

Group G: Manchester City (ANG), Wydad (MAR),   Al Ain (UAE), Juventus (ITA)

Group H: Real Madrid (ESP), Al Hilal (KSA), Pachuca (MEX), RB Salzburg (AUT)

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The meeting between the reigning European champions Madrid and the Saudis of Al Hilal will be the 'opportunity for a reunion between Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian star Neymar with whom he formed a famous duo at PSG between 2017 and 2023.

Botafogo , South American champion

Bayern Munich should also get through against Benfica, Boca Juniors and Auckland City in Group C, as should Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, winners of the Champions League in 2023, with Juventus Turin, Wydad Casablanca and the Emirati club Al Ain (Group G).

PSG, on the other hand, was not spoiled by the draw and will have to be particularly solid to get out of Group B. The French champions will enter the competition against Atlético Madrid before having to challenge Botafogo, fresh winners of the Copa Libertadores, and the Americans from Seattle.

Players' complaint against the pace infernals

Finally, Inter Milan, Italian champion and finalist of the C1 in 2023, will face Palmeiras, Porto and the Egyptians of Al Ahly. This first Club World Cup is the subject of strong opposition from players and national leagues who denounce the infernal pace in football.

Giani Infantino, president of FIFA, and Ronaldo unveiled the trophy that will be awarded to the winner of this first Club World Cup. EPA – CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

The world players' union (Fifpro) and the European Leagues Association filed a complaint in October with the European Commission against FIFA, accused of abusing its dominant position in the development of the calendar. Several leading players, such as the Spanish Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, the Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk and the Frenchman Aurélien Tchouaméni have even suggested a strike to protest against the accumulation of matches, already noticeable with the new format of the Champions League.