Champions of Champions: Who Will Win the FIFA Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this weekend on Saturday, June 14th. The opening match will feature Al Ahly SC from Egypt against Inter Miami CF at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. It is a tournament that is eagerly anticipated, as it features championship-level teams competing for the ultimate title of the best of the best. The opening fixture will be followed by four matches on Sunday, June 15th, to kick off the first round of the tournament with big teams such as PSG, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid participating.
Teams from across the globe will be competing against each other, some even for the first time, to determine which team is the champion amongst champions. MLS teams have not always been participants in this tournament as the Seattle Sounders became the first team from the U.S. or Canada to participate after winning the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022. Inter Miami has a chance to make a mark on the tournament and change the tide for MLS teams if they can pull through with a big showing, especially with big stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. There has been a push for the development of soccer in the states and it would be critical to the campaign that MLS teams participating in this tournament pull some wins.
James Rodriguez’s team, Leon, was removed from the tournament due to violating FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Since Pachuca, the other team owned by Group Pachuca, is already participating in the tournament then Leon can not because one owner can not have more than one team participating. They tried to plead their case at the beginning of May but were unsuccessful and were ruled out from participation. FIFA’s rules for submitting a roster were also extended so that some clubs who sign players right after their regular season can have these new additions participate. Real Madrid’s new signing Trent-Alexander Arnold will be able to participate in the tournament and train with the team ahead of the next season.
There is no telling what players will show up to compete as some have just come off a full season and international break, especially those who participated in the late stages of the Champions League. Players like Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and Joao Neves played in the Champions League final on May 31st and then participated in Portugal’s winning UEFA Nations League campaign the following week. It would be an incredible feat of stamina if they can join PSG for their tournament but understandable if they do not. Cristiano Ronaldo has already confirmed he will not be participating in this Club World Cup but he will surely be celebrating his third national trophy for Portugal.
This is sure to be an exciting showing for all of the participating teams and a change of scenery for most of them as this tournament will be played in the United States in its entirety. Hopefully, with incredible teams from across the globe coming in, it will boost support and interest in soccer and could usher in a new love for the sport. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13th and will conclude the postseason for club soccer. Many fans will savor this tournament before most European players go on break and recover before another exciting season of the beautiful game.
