CHELSEA and Manchester City have learned their fate for the Club World Cup with the draw coming to a thrilling end!
The Blues’ standout tie from Group D sees them face Brazilian giants Flamengo and familiar face David Luiz will be in defence.
While Manchester City have been dropped in Group G with Italian icons Juventus.
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Minnows thrilled by Au-inspiring draw
New Zealand champions Auckland City were just about the most excited team ahead of the draw.
And they retained that status AFTER it.
City captain Mario Ilich revealed their delight to be placed in an A-list Group C containing three of the world’s top ‘B’ teams – Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Benfica.
Ilich said: “To get three powerhouses of football in their respective countries is a pretty unreal feeling, to be honest.
“It was a long morning, waiting for the draw, waiting for pot 4 to come out, but we got there in the end and we’re pretty excited.”
Why no Barcelona?
Even though Arsenal and Liverpool will be missing, Barcelona’s absence from the Club World Cup is perhaps the most striking.
After all, they’ve long dominated Spanish football with Real Madrid and are five-time Champions League winners.
So here’s why Barca they won’t be in the USA next June.
Europe has 12 of the 32 teams, including the last three kings of the continent – Real, plus the Prem’s two Club world Cup entrants Manchester City and Chelsea.
That leaves nine European places – decided by results over the past four seasons AND a limit of two clubs per country.
Real’s spot was already clear – as Champions League winners in 2024 and 2022.
And Atletico Madrid have outscored Barca in recent years.
Barcelona lifted the La Liga crown in 2023, but failed to get past the Champions League group stages in 2022 and 2023.
When does it all start?
Now we’ve had the drama, dancing and Trump-eting from the draw, attention will gradually switch to the Club World Cup itself.
The first match is at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 15.
And the final won’t be until July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.
We’ll have more dates, views and news later.
Recap of the whole draw
Here’s how the 32 teams came out – with contrasting fortunes for Prem sides Chelsea and Manchester City.
Diletta wows but fans baffled by Del Piero’s comment
Diletta Leotta stole the show as she made her entrance during the Fifa Club World Cup draw, writes TONY ROBERTSON.
The Italian Dazn presenter wore a dazzling black dress for the occasion.
Diletta Leotta wows in busty outfit at Fifa Club World Cup draw but fans baffled as Italy icon calls her an ‘immigrant’But as she made her entrance, strike legend Alessandro Del Piero made some strange comments to welcome her.
He was heard firstly saying: “Another Italian in Miami.” Del Piero then added: “Another wave of immigrants.”
Credit: Getty Main presenter Samantha Johnson stood by and awkwardly laughed at the comment, trying to brush it off as a joke in poor-taste.
Fortunately for the draw, Leotta did not allow the comment to knock her off stride.
She said her greetings to Del Piero and Johnson when making it to the stage before carrying on with the rest of the draw in a professional manner.
Credit: Getty Fans ask if Trump made Gi-normous error
Some viewers reckon Donald Trump mangled Fifa chief Gianni Infantino’s name during the US President-elect’s surprise speech at the draw
Trump said: “The event is going to be incredible. I will try and be there if I can, I would, we’ll see what happens.”
However, he then appeared to add: “But I just want to say you’re led by a man named ‘JOHNNY’, I just know him as Johnny and he’s a winner and he’s the president and I’m the president.
“We’ve known each other a long time and I’m so honoured to have this kind of relationship because Soccer is going through the roof as everybody knows.”
One viewer responded: “What’s Trump saying about Gianni lmao, he pronounced it as Johnny.”
A second said: “My goodness, this Fifa Club World Cup draw has had an address from Donald Trump. Absurdity.”
A third added: “Donald Trump randomly showed up at the Fifa club world cup draw.”
I’m Gunner ‘die of cringe’ watching Wenger dance
Arsene Wenger left fans in stitches after he was awkwardly forced to dance live on air, writes TONY ROBERTSON.
The legendary ex-Arsenal boss works as Fifa’s Chief of Global Football Development and was at the Club World Cup draw.
Football fans say ‘I’m dying of cringe’ as Arsene Wenger DANCES on stage at live Fifa Club World Cup drawHowever, viewers did not expect the 75-year-old to be roped into dancing.
After the broadcast switched over to the downtown Miami studio, co-host Ana Jurka introduced some of the guests including singer Vikina, also nicknamed Miss 305.
Vikina was asked to bring the Miami party and burst out into a dance.
However, Jurka then gestured over to Wenger to go towards her and said: “You promised me.”
Wenger pretended to run away but he was then counted down before bursting out into some dance moves.
Fans were left astonished by the turn of events.
One posted: “I’m dying of cringe. Enough. They screwed Wenger, this was all a mistake.”
Chelsea re-Lu-nian for Flamengo hero
Chelsea landed a dream draw in the Fifa Club World Cup – but Manchester City will have things tougher, writes JACK FIGG.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues wound up in Group D alongside Brazil’s Flamengo, Club Leon of Mexico and Esperance de Tunis from Tunisia.
David Luiz has been with Flamengo since leaving Arsenal in 2021Credit: Getty The draw looks set to reunite Blues fans with cult hero David Luiz – who won the Champions League in West London but now plays for Flamengo.
City, meanwhile, face Italian giants Juventus, Morocco’s Wydad AC and Al Ain of the UAE.
Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid will play Saudi champions Al Hilal, RB Salzburg of Austria and Mexico’s Pachuca.
Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich take onBenfica, Boca Juniors and Aukland City in Group C.
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger was on hand to help pick out the teams but only after being made to perform some awkward dad dancing.
US President-elect Donald Trump’s eight-year-old grandson Theo also helped pick out the draw with the politician’s daughter Ivanka.
Luiz was with Chelsea from 2011-14 and 2016-2019Credit: Reuters Trump says son is ‘very good soccer player’
Donald Trump’s mini-speech went onto include his verdict on 18-year-old son Baron’s footballing ability.
Or “soccer” as the President elect called it.
Baron Trump is pictured with parents Donald and IvankaCredit: Splash The Republican, 78, said: “It’s been doing so fantastically well, my son Baron is a tremendous soccer fan, he’s actually a good player.
“I guess not quite that kind of good but he’s a very good player.
“But he loves soccer and it really is taking over the United States in terms of a sport and I congratulate everybody.
“But in particular I wish you too have a good time and I want to send my highest regards and respect to Johnny.”
Trump video baffles fans
FOOTBALL fans were left baffled after US President-elect Donald Trump made a surprise appearance during the draw for the Fifa Club World Cup, writes TONY ROBERTSON.
Chelsea and Manchester City were among the 32 teams across the world waiting to find out who they would be drawn against for the controversial post-season tournament.
Donald Trump made a surprise appearance during the draw for the Fifa Club World Cup after being introduced by Gianni InfantinoCredit: Reuters However, during a speech by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Trump made an appearance with a pre-recorded message, although some fans believed he mispronounced the Fifa president’s name.
He said: “The event is going to be incredible. I will try and be there if I can, I would, we’ll see what happens.
“But I just want to say you’re led by a man named Johnny, I just know him as Johnny and he’s a winner and he’s the president and I’m the president.
“We’ve known each other a long time and I’m so honoured to have this kind of relationship because Soccer is going through the roof as everybody knows.”
Hour’s that!
After waiting nearly 40 minutes from the scheduled 6pm start, Fifa then took an hour to complete the draw.
Not bad considering it was 32 teams, four pots and all the placings.
‘Too much fun!’
Presenter Samantha Johnson has almost the final say.
She tells the wide array of stars on the stage – from the world of football and beyond – that they had “too much fun” with the draw”.
Here it is in one look!
Just in case you didn’t quite memorise every draw, every group – here’s the whole thing at a glance.
Last team out!
Mexicans Pachuca complete the final Group – H.
That means they take on Real Madrid and Neymar’s Al-Hilal.
But first up for the outsiders will be RB Salzburg.
Man City to face UAE side
Al Alain go into Man City and Juventus’ group.
Group B draw concluded
MLS side Seattle Sounders will open against Botafogo in Group B.
Then come Atletico and PSG!
Japanese club drawn out
Urawa Red Diamonds are in the same group as River Plate and Inter Milan.
Wenger revealed the Japanese club promised him last night they will build a stronger team by next year!
Sundowns over the moon with draw?
Mamelodi Sundowns come out as F4 in Group F.
That means they open against Ulsan – with tougher tests to come.
Chelsea learn third group opponents
Chelsea will meet Esperance Sportive de Tunisie in Group D.
But first the Blues will meet Club Leon.
Auckland in Bayern group
New Zealanders Auckland City are in the same group as Bayern and Salzburg.
At C2, they open against Bayern.
Inter Miami out first in fourth pot
David Beckham’s Inter Miami are in Group A with Palmeiras and Porto.
Miami will face Al Ahly in their opener.
Pot 4 draw under way
Here’s the draw after Pot 3
Just one pot to go now…
Neymar’s club to face Real Madrid
Saudi’s Al-Hilal come out of Group H at H2.
That means Real Madrid first up.
What a potential date for Barcelona legend Neymar!
Credit: Reuters Moroccans to tackle Man City
AC Wydad – the 2022 African champs – are G2 in Group G.
So they open against Man City and will later face Juve.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
