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Josh Lawless
Manchester City and Chelsea's nightmare FIFA Club World Cup scenarios have been revealed ahead of the official draw later this week.
The competition has undergone a major revamp this time around, with 32 teams from six continental confederations taking part. All 63 fixtures happen in 28 days in June and July 2025, with the United States hosting the tournament as a precursor to the World Cup a year later.
UEFA has 12 places, with CONMEBOL given six and Concacaf, Asia and Africa handed four spots. Oceania have taken one, while the final place has been reserved for a host nation and controversially afforded to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, who are not MLS champions but won the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record.
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Countries can only have two teams, with City and Chelsea representing England after their Champions League wins in 2021 and 2023.
Heavyweights like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto and Borussia Dortmund are also participating in the tournament, which will see 32 clubs in eight groups before the top two progress to a knockout campaign after they play each other once.
The pots have already been confirmed, as per the Daily Mail, with holders City joined by fellow big-hitters Real, Bayern, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense in pot one.
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Pot two sees Chelsea in with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus and Salzburg.
The third pot includes Neymar's Al Hilal, as well as Boca Juniors and Botafogo, while Messi and Inter Miami are in pot four alongside Seattle Sounders, Auckland City, Urawa Red Diamonds and Pachuca.
It has not yet been revealed whether there is country protection in Thursday's draw, but if there is, Chelsea and City's worst-case scenario would see them in the same group with both Al Hilal and Inter Miami.
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The first game will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 15, with the final slated for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The draw will happen live in Miami at 6pm UK time and a new trophy has been designed for the winners of the Club World Cup.
Pots in full:
Manchester City (ENG)
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Real Madrid (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER)
PSG (FRA)
Flamengo (BRA)
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Palmeiras (BRA)
River Plate (ARG)
Fluminense (BRA)
Chelsea (ENG)
Dortmund (GER)
Inter (ITA)
FC Porto (POR)
Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Benfica (POR)
Juventus (ITA)
Salzburg (AUT)
Al Hilal (SAU)
Ulsan HD (SOUTH KOREA)
Al Ahly (EGI)
Wydad Casablanca (MAR)
Monterrey (MEX)
Leon (MEX)
Boca Juniors (ARG)
Botafogo (BRA)
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Al Ain (UAE)
Hope of Tunis (TUN)
Mamelodi Sundowns (AFR)
Pachuca (MEX)
Seattle Sounders (USA)
Auckland City (NZL)
Inter Miami (USA)
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Topics: Manchester City, Chelsea, FIFA Club World Cup
Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field – including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.
@joshlawless_
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