There was a plot to participate in the draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Those who tuned in to the show surely weren't particularly concerned about Gianni Infantino's big key, the shiny new trophy (which is undoubtedly a shield), nor about how the FIFA president gets along with Donald Trump. But fans were still subjected to all of this.
It is Infantino's brainchild and he remains optimistic in his belief that this vastly expanded tournament will emerge with great distinction on the football calendar.
Evaluating and projecting the 2025 summer tournament is difficult given that there are still several months to go, but we can still get an idea of the difficulty of each group from the draw in early December.
Here is a ranking of the eight groups of the 2025 Club World Cup, starting with the simplest and ending with the 'Group of Death'.
We must not ignore that the strength of the UEFA representative will play an important role in our thinking. Although teams from around the world, particularly South America, can prove tricky opponents for Europe's best, there is no denying the clear superiority of UEFA's members.
Borussia Dortmund could well become something special under Nuri Sahin, but they are an inconsistent unit and opponents from other federations would not have minded facing Pot 2.
Fluminense are a far cry from the team that won the 2023 Copa Libertadores, with their struggles in 2024 propelling them to the bottom of Brazil's top flight. Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns both qualified via the ranking route, but Fluminense's woes mean both will be keen to join Dortmund in the last 16.
Chelsea qualified for the tournament thanks to their success in the 2021 Champions League. Who knows what they'll look like by the time this tournament rolls around, but they undoubtedly have a team to compete next summer without fear of player burnout.
The Blues' draw was mostly favorable, but Flamengo, currently managed by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, will pose a challenge. However, they could have faced a tougher Brazilian opponent.
Leon's Mexican side have declined since their CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph, while ES Tunis are unlikely to rival Les Bleus despite their domestic supremacy.
There are no notable teams in Group A, with InterMiami opening the tournament with their winningest match in the group against Al Ahly.
The Egyptians, however, have plenty of pedigree and could well be the best club in Africa having won three of the last four CAF Champions Leagues.
Miami is the weakest team in a competitive group, but the presence of Lionel Messi gives them a chance to improve. We've seen superior iterations of this Porto team, but Palmeiras is a team to watch. ChelseaEstevao Willian, on his way to the Brazilian club, will only leave the Brazilian club after the tournament.
No team has appeared in more Club World Cups than Auckland City, who have dominated modern-day Oceanian football. However, they might just be the weakest team in the tournament.
They were recently beaten 6-2 by Al Ain in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup and it is difficult to imagine them competing in a group with two UEFA representatives. Bayern Munich should win this one at a gallop despite the presence of Benfica, while Boca Juniors have struggled to find their rhythm in 2024 despite veteran striker Edinson Cavani leading the way.
Last season's Copa Libertadores finalists have not been crowned South American champions since 2007.
Group E appears relatively equal and Inter The fight with River Plate, the first meeting between the two teams, will be one to watch.
The Nerazzurri are superb and among the best in Europe. They shouldn't have too much trouble dominating the group.
However, the battle looks set to be fierce for second place, even though Monterrey have not won a trophy since the 2021 CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Urawa Red Diamonds are without star talent.
Pep Guardiola has already expressed concern over player welfare and the need for this summer event. So it will be interesting to see how seriously Manchester City take the competition.
Yet a group of academy stars, given the talent of City's youngsters, would undoubtedly rival Wydad AC of Morocco and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
While Wydad have struggled since their continental success in 2022, breaking Al Ahly's monopoly, Al Ain have previously shown themselves competent at the Club World Cup, reaching the final in 2018. They are now led by former Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim after sacking Hernan Crespo.
Juventus are on the rise under Thiago Motta, although results have not reflected that early in his reign, and the Bianconeri will be keen to take advantage of a deep run in the United States.
There will be a repeat of the 2022 Club World Cup final in Group H as Real Madrid take on Saudi champions Al Hilal. Madrid won 5-3 last time.
Madrid generally take this competition seriously and will be pushing for their seventh Club World Cup success in 2025.
Al Hilal are unlikely to have Neymar at their disposal next summer, but they are not without stars. These two will be favorites to advance to the round of 16, but RB Salzburg could well find themselves under the management of Pep Lijnders by the time the tournament rolls around.
CONCACAF Champions Cup holders Pachuca should also not be sidelined despite their domestic indifference in 2024.
If there is a “group of death” at the 2025 Club World Cup, it is Group B.
Botafogo are Brazil's new champions after winning the Copa Libertadores in November, but they will need to get past perennial French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Diego Simeone's wily Atletico Madrid to qualify for the last 16.
These two European clubs faced each other in the Champions League stage, with Atleti securing a resounding victory in the final.
The Seattle Sounders became the first American team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 22 years in 2022, but they will have their work cut out for them at home next summer. However, Seattle has a solid foundation and will play in the most familiar environment for the three group matches.
READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE 2025 CLUB WORLD CUP AND HOW IT WORKS HERE
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