The 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup draw has been finalised and all 32 members now know their fates for subsequent summer time’s group stage in the USA.
The expanded and revamped event has understandably divided opinion amongst supporters, lots of whom are already rising weary on the relentlessness of the membership soccer calendar. Nevertheless, when the competitors rolls round subsequent June, there’ll undoubtedly be eyes forged in direction of North America.
The group stage draw has thrown up some fascinating duels as an array of golf equipment from all six continental federations put together to duke it out for world champion standing. Lots of the matchups on the event have by no means been witnessed beforehand.
Listed below are the six most intriguing fixtures of the 2025 Membership World Cup group stage – ranked.
Subsequent summer time’s Membership World Cup kicks off with a cracker. Inter Miami might solely be within the competitors as a bunch membership however they’re one in every of North America’s high sides, led by eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and supported by fellow veterans and ex-Barcelona pals Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.
Eyes will undoubtedly be fastened on the Herons’ diminutive Argentine however reigning African Champions League holders Al Ahly have loads of expertise on this competitors. The Egyptian giants are making their tenth look having gained CAF’s most prestigious prize in three of the previous 4 seasons.
These two European foes locked horns for the primary time in the course of the league section of the 2024/25 Champions League, with a 93rd-minute effort from tremendous sub Angel Correa securing a comeback win for the Spanish aspect. This may increasingly not have the attract of intercontinental battles however it will likely be one of many highest high quality conferences in the course of the group stage.
Will probably be the primary fixture for each side in Group B, with present Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo and 2022 CONCACAF Champions League victors Seattle Sounders trying on with eager curiosity.
Chelsea have twice confronted Brazilian opposition up to now (excluding friendlies) however they’ve by no means duelled with Flamengo. The Blues will probably be among the many favourites for the event in the USA, with video games towards Mexican aspect Leon and Tunisian outfit ES Tunis sandwiched in between a mighty conflict with one in every of South America’s behemoths.
Flamengo have made common appearances on the Membership World Cup lately, reaching the ultimate of the competitors in 2019. They battled English opponents on that event, shedding 1-0 to Liverpool after extra-time. It is the closest they’ve come to the crown.
Juventus and Manchester Metropolis have fought on six events since 1976’s first assembly within the UEFA Cup however the Italian giants haven’t come throughout England’s dominant power since 2015. Two group stage Champions League fixtures led to Juve’s favour.
Nevertheless, it will likely be Man Metropolis who boast the tag of favourites when these two face off on the Membership World Cup. The Cityzens gained the trophy in 2023 on their solely look, with Juventus having by no means beforehand taken to the sector within the competitors. Will probably be one other high-quality affair between European heavyweights.
Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors have by no means contested a Membership World Cup affair however they did conflict within the 2001 Intercontinental Cup. A contest initially held from 1960 to 2004, it might put the Champions League/European Cup winners up towards the Copa Libertadores champions in a one-off duel.
Argentinian giants Boca have been the reigning champions after they confronted Bayern in 2001, but it surely was the German aspect who triumphed due to centre-back Samuel Kaffour’s effort in extra-time.
The hole between these two gargantuan forces is bigger now than it was on the flip of the century, however subsequent summer time’s matchup needs to be equally dramatic.
You do not have to look too deep within the file books to search out the final and solely assembly between Actual Madrid and Al Hilal. The 2 got here up towards one another on the 2022 Membership World Cup (which really occurred in February 2023) in Morocco and performed out a thriller within the remaining.
The Spanish aspect triumphed for a file fifth time within the competitors as they beat their Saudi opposition 5-3, with Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior each bagging braces in an thrilling affair. Regardless of the scoreline, Madrid by no means misplaced management of a high-scoring match.
Extra of the identical can be welcomed subsequent summer time, with Al Hilal at the moment boasting the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and, in fact, Neymar of their squad.
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