FIFA has scheduled December 5 in Miami for the official draw of its inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. The event, beginning at 6 p.m. GMT, will establish the eight groups of four teams each, as the competition unfolds across the United States from June 15 to July 13.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently confirmed that Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will play the tournament’s opening match on June 15 at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
The newly expanded tournament will occur every four years, although the host for the 2029 edition is yet to be determined. Sixteen clubs advancing from the group stage will enter the knockout rounds, culminating in the final, without a match for third place.
This larger format replaces the previous seven-team Club World Cup, drawing top teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for added strain on players, and FIFA has yet to finalize broadcast agreements for the competition.
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