Difficult confrontations for Arab teams in the Club World Cup | sports

The FIFA Club World Cup draw, which was held today, Thursday, in Miami, USA, resulted in difficult confrontations for Arab clubs.

Five Arab clubs are participating in the Club World Cup, namely: Al-Ahly of Egypt, champion of the African League 3 times in the last 4 tournaments, Wydad of Morocco, champion of the 2022 African Champions League, Esperance of Tunisia, the third best club on the continent according to FIFA classification, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia, champion of the 2021 AFC Champions League, and Al-Ain. The UAE is the 2024 AFC Champions League champion.

The group stage competitions in the Club World Cup will witness a single Arab confrontation, bringing together Wydad of Morocco and Al Ain of the Emirates in Group Seven.

Al-Ahly team will play the opening match against Inter Miami, led by its Argentine star, Lionel Messi, while Moroccan Wydad will begin its campaign against Manchester City, the defending champion, in a group that also included Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates and Juventus.

Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia will play its first match against Real Madrid, while Esperance of Tunisia will begin its campaign in the tournament against Flamengo of Brazil in a group that also includes Chelsea and Lyon of Mexico.

The expanded version of the tournament will be held in the United States with the participation of 32 teams from June 15 to July 13, 2025.

Below are the eight groups according to the results of the draw:

• The first group: Palmeiras – Porto – Al-Ahly of Egypt – Inter Miami.
• Group Two: Paris Saint-Germain – Atletico Madrid – Botafogo – Seattle Sounders.
• Group Three: Bayern Munich – Auckland City – Boca Juniors – Benfica.
• Group Four: Flamengo – Esperance of Tunisia – Chelsea – Leon of Mexico.
• Group E: River Plate – Urawa Red Diamonds – Monterrey – Inter Milan.
• Group Six: Fluminense – Borussia Dortmund – Ulsan of Korea – Mamelodi Sundowns.
• Group Seven: Manchester City – Wydad of Morocco – Al Ain of the Emirates – Juventus.
• Group H: Real Madrid – Al Hilal Saudi Arabia – Pachuca – Red Bull Salzburg.