The football calendar gets an exciting new addition this year with the inaugural expanded edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. Hosted in the United States, this major tournament features 32 teams from confederations around the globe competing for a share of a significant $1 billion prize pool.
A host of prominent clubs are participating in this revamped competition, from UEFA Champions League winners like Paris Saint-Germain to South American powerhouses such as Boca Juniors. Each team is aiming for a deep run. Europe provides the largest contingent with 12 teams, while South America has six participants. Four teams each represent Asia and Africa, and North America contributes five teams, including three from MLS. Oceania secures one spot, filled by Auckland City, the only amateur side.
While the fundamental goal is victory, the stakes vary. Underdogs like Lionel Messi`s Inter Miami and Simone Inzaghi`s Al-Hilal hope to make an impact against European favourites. Other teams, such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inter Milan (who are looking for a final trophy after ending their domestic and continental seasons without silverware), cross the Atlantic with high expectations.
With the tournament now underway, here is a look at the schedule and results:
Schedule and Results
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Saturday, June 14
Al Ahly 0, Inter Miami 0 -
Sunday, June 15
Bayern Munich 10, Auckland City 0
PSG 4, Atletico Madrid 0
Palmeiras 0, Porto 0
Botafogo 2, Seattle Sounders 1 -
Monday, June 16
Chelsea 2, LAFC 0
Boca Juniors 2, Benfica 2
Flamengo 2, Esperance de Tunis 0 -
Tuesday, June 17
Fluminense 0, Borussia Dortmund 0
River Plate 3, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
Mamelodi Sundowns 1, Ulsan HD 0
Monterrey 1, Inter 1 -
Wednesday, June 18
Manchester City 2, Wydad AC 0
Real Madrid 1, Al-Hilal 1
Salzburg 2, Pachuca 1
Juventus 5, Al Ain 0 -
Thursday, June 19
Palmeiras 2, Al Ahly 0
Inter Miami 2, Porto 1
Atletico Madrid 3, Seattle Sounders 1
Botafogo 1, PSG 0 -
Friday, June 20
Benfica 6, Auckland City 0
Flamengo 3, Chelsea 1
Esperance de Tunis 1, LAFC 0
Bayern Munich 2, Boca Juniors 1 -
Saturday, June 21
Borussia Dortmund 4, Mamelodi Sundowns 3
Inter 2, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
Fluminense 4, Ulsan HD 2
River Plate 0, Monterrey 0 -
Sunday, June 22
Juventus 4, Wydad AC 1
Real Madrid 3, Pachuca 1
Salzburg 0, Al Hilal 0
Manchester City vs. Al Ain, 9 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta -
Monday, June 23
PSG 2, Seattle Sounders 0
Atletico Madrid 1, Botafogo 0
Inter Miami 2, Palmeiras 2
Porto 4, Al Ahly 4 -
Tuesday, June 24
Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors, 3 p.m., GEODIS Park, Nashville
Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
LAFC vs. Flamengo, 9 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Esperance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia -
Wednesday, June 25
Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD, 3 p.m., TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense, 3 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Inter vs. River Plate, 9 p.m., Lumen Field, Seattle
Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m., Rose Bowl, Pasadena -
Thursday, June 26
Juventus vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Wydad AC vs. Al Ain, 3 p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Al Hilal vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m., GEODIS Park, Nashville
Salzburg vs. Real Madrid, 9 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia -
Saturday, June 28
Round of 16: 1A vs. 2B, 12 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Round of 16: 1C vs. 2D, 4 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte -
Sunday, June 29
Round of 16: 1B vs. 2A, 12 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Round of 16: 1D vs. 2C, 4 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, Miami -
Monday, June 30
Round of 16: 1E vs. 2F, 3 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Round of 16: 1G vs. 2H, 9 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando -
Tuesday, July 1
Round of 16: 1H vs. 2G, 3 p.m., Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Round of 16: 1F vs. 2E, 9 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta -
Friday, July 4 (Quarterfinals)
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., Camping World Stadium, Orlando
TBD vs. TBD, 9 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia -
Saturday, July 5 (Quarterfinals)
TBD vs. TBD, 12 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TBD vs. TBD, 4 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford -
Tuesday, July 8 (Semifinal)
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford -
Wednesday, July 9 (Semifinal)
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford -
Sunday, July 13 (Final)
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Dominic Ashworth