CLUB WORLD CUP
THE GROUPS
Featuring legendary veterans, Lee Clark’s offspring and a Brit with a crocodile...
and Cavani is as well;
GROUP
A
All eyes are on Inter Miami, AKA Barça Old Boys: Lionel Messi has been playing alongside Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, and Javier Mascherano replaced Gerardo Martino as head coach last November. They’ll be playing two of their three group games at their own Hard Rock Stadium, which should help. Top seeds Palmeiras qualified by winning the 2021 Copa Libertadores under Portuguese boss Abel Ferreira, still in situ, and have recently developed winger Estevao Willian. Regarded for years as one of Brazil’s most exciting talents, the 18-year-old already has four caps for his country and will join Chelsea in a £51m deal after the Club World Cup. Egyptian titans Al Ahly have won three of the last four CAF Champions Leagues, but Porto – with Andre Villas-Boas their president now – have had a poor season.
Messi’s here, don’t worry;
GROUP
B
Seattle Sounders, taking part having triumphed in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, will play all three group games in their home stadium. They recently signed former Rangers winger Ryan Kent, who made headlines in 2023 for purchasing a pet crocodile while playing for Fenerbahce in Turkey (it must have been a snap decision). Kent could face fellow Englishman Conor Gallagher, who will hope to help Atletico Madrid fare better in the Club World Cup than in the Champions League, which they’ve still never won. PSG will fancy their chances after recent Champions League exploits, while Botafogo touch down in the USA having lifted the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their 120-year history last November, shortly before bagging their first Brazilian title since 1995.