Group Stage Wrap-Up and Qualifiers
Following the group stage, the first-round matchups for the Club World Cup knockout stage have been fully confirmed. The qualified teams include nine from Europe, four from Brazil, two from CONCACAF, and the sole Asian representative, Al-Hilal SFC.
High-Profile First-Round Showdowns
Messi vs. Former Club PSG: Lionel Messi will lead Inter Miami against his ex-team Paris Saint-Germain.
Champions League-Level Clashes: Benfica vs. Chelsea and Real Madrid vs. Juventus deliver elite European duels reminiscent of classic UCL encounters.
Brazilian Derby: Palmeiras vs. Botafogo brings a domestic rivalry to the global stage, while Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan vs. Fluminense pit South American powerhouses against European giants.
"Oil Derby": Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal SFC highlights the financial might of both sides, with the Saudi club aiming to upset the Premier League champions.
Bracket Breakdown
Upper Bracket: A mixed battlefield of European and South American clubs, featuring intense cross-continental clashes.
Lower Bracket: Five "Big Five" league UCL participants (PSG, Bayern, Real Madrid, Juventus, Dortmund) compete for a finals spot, forming an elite "death zone".
Schedule (Local Time)
The fixtures are as follows:
June 28: Palmeiras vs. Botafogo, Benfica vs. Chelsea
June 29: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Miami, Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich
June 30: Inter Milan vs. Fluminense, Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal SFC
July 1: Real Madrid vs. Juventus, Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey
