There was a lot to take in from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw.
Those who tuned in surely weren't particularly bothered about Gianni Infantino's big key, the shiny new trophy (which is definitely a shield), nor how well the FIFA president gets on with Donald Trump. But fans were subjected to it all anyway.
This is Infantino's brainchild and he remains bullish in his belief that this drastically expanded tournament will emerge with great distinction on the football calendar.
Assessing and projecting the 2025 summer tournament is tough given that it remains many months away yet, but we can nonetheless gauge an idea of the difficulty of each group produced from the early December draw.
Here's a ranking of the eight 2025 Club World Cup groups, starting with the easiest and concluding with the 'Group of Death'.
There can be no ignoring the fact that the strength of the UEFA representative will play a large part in our thinking. While teams from around the world, particularly South America, can prove awkward opponents for Europe's best there's no denying the distinct superiority of UEFA members.
Borussia Dortmund may well blossom into something special under Nuri Sahin, but they're an inconsistent unit and the team opponents from other federations wouldn't have minded facing from Pot 2.
Fluminense are a far cry from the side that lifted the 2023 Copa Libertadores, with their 2024 struggles thrusting them towards the bottom of the Brazilian top flight. Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns both qualified via the ranking pathway, but Fluminense's woes mean both will fancy their chances of joining Dortmund in the round of 16.
Chelsea qualified for the tournament by virtue of their 2021 Champions League success. Who knows what they'll look like by the time this tournament comes around, but they've undoubtedly got the squad to compete next summer without fear of player burnout.
The Blues' draw was fairly kind, but Flamengo, currently led by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, will supply a challenge. They could've faced a tougher Brazilian opponent, however.
Mexican outfit Leon have declined since their CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph, while ES Tunis are unlikely to compete with the Blues despite their domestic supremacy.
There's no standout team in Group A, with Inter Miami opening the tournament with their most winnable game of the group against Al Ahly.
The Egyptians, though, have plenty of pedigree and may well be the best club in Africa having won three of the past four CAF Champions Leagues.
Miami are the weakest team in a competitive group, but Lionel Messi's presence hands them a chance to progress. We've seen superior iterations of this Porto side, but Palmeiras are a team to keep an eye on. Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian will not be leaving the Brazilian club until after the tournament.
No team has appeared in more Club World Cups than Auckland City, who've dominated Oceanic football in modern times. However, they may well be the weakest team in the tournament.
They were recently beaten 6-2 by Al Ain at the 2024 Intercontinental Cup and it's hard to envisage them competing in a group boasting two UEFA representatives. Bayern Munich should win this one at a canter despite Benfica's presence, while Boca Juniors have struggled to find their groove in 2024 despite having veteran forward Edinson Cavani up top.
Last season's Copa Libertadores finalists haven't been crowned South American champions since 2007.
Group E looks relatively even and Inter's tussle with River Plate, the first meeting between the two sides, will be one to keep an eye on.
The Nerazzurri are superb and rank among Europe's best. They shouldn't have too many issues topping the group.
However, the battle looks fierce for second place, even if Monterrey haven't claimed silverware since the 2021 CONCACAF Champions Cup and Urawa Red Diamonds are bereft of star talent.
Pep Guardiola has already expressed his concern over player welfare and the necessity of this summer event, so it'll be interesting to see just how seriously Manchester City take the competition.
Still, a bunch of academy stars, given the talent within City's youth ranks, would doubtlessly compete against Morocco's Wydad AC and UAE's Al Ain.
While Wydad have struggled since their continental success in 2022, breaking up Al Ahly's monopoly in the process, Al Ain have offered competence at the Club World Cup before, reaching the final in 2018. They're now led by former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim after sacking Hernan Crespo.
Juventus are on the rise under Thiago Motta, even if results haven't reflected that at the start of his reign, and the Bianconeri will fancy their chances of enjoying 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 ran out 5-3 winners last time out.
Madrid typically 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're not bereft of stars. These two will be the favourites to progress into the round of 16, but RB Salzburg may well find themselves under Pep Lijnders by the time the tournament rolls around.
CONCACAF Champions Cup holders Pachuca also shouldn't be discounted despite their domestic indifference in 2024.
If there is a 'Group of Death' at the 2025 Club World Cup, Group B is it.
Botafogo are the newly crowned Brazilian champions having won the Copa Libertadores in November, but they'll have to get past perennial French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Diego Simeone's wily Atletico Madrid to make the knockout stage.
These two European clubs faced off during the Champions League league phase, with Atleti securing a smash-and-grab victory at the last.
Seattle Sounders became the first American team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 22 years in 2022, but they'll have their work cut out on home soil next summer. However, Seattle are blessed with sound foundations and will be playing in the most familiar of environments for all three group games.
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