The curtain rises on the 2025 club World Cup with a poster as unprecedented as it is symbolic: the Inter Miami of Lionel Messi defies Al Ahly, giant of the African continent, this Sunday at 2 a.m. (French time), at the opening of group A.
Messi headlining … but uncertainties
Officially invited as a representative of the host country, Inter Miami crystallizes all the attention. Not for its sporting merits (the Floridian franchise did not win the last MLS Cup) but for its constellation of stars. Around Messi, winner of the competition three times with Barça, gravitate Busquets, Alba, Suárez and an ultra-mediatized bench. A team carved to shine under the spotlight, but still far from all -risk insurance.
Because in the field, the signals are more contrasting. The formation of Javier Mascherano, also former Blaugrana, remains on a semi-final lost in the Concacaf Champions League and on an irregular dynamic in the league. Admittedly, the large victories against Montreal (4-2) and Columbus (5-1) have revived the hopes, but the consistency remains to be proven, especially in the face of an opponent so broken to international games.
Messi wants to get another trophy to enrich his record.
Al Ahly, the African giant in the American show test
Opposite, a monument of African football stands. Al Ahly, record holder of titles in the CAF Champions League (12 coronations), is about to compete in his 10th World Cup of clubs, already with four podiums in his credit over the last decade. A regularity and an experience that force respect, despite a recent change at the head of the team: the Spanish technician José Riveiro succeeds Marcel Koller, ousted in April.
The workforce, largely made up of Egyptian internationals, is structured around the unbeatable Mohamed El Shenawy in goals. But the danger could come from elsewhere. The Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali, in great shape, embodies one of the major offensive weapons of the cairotes, who dominated the continent but still struggle to cross a course on the world scene.
In a group A relatively homogeneous with Palmeiras and Porto, this first opposition will set the tone for a highly anticipated tournament. And if the hype surrounds Messi and his friends, Al Ahly has never been the type to play the extras.
| Practical information: Inter Miami – Al Ahly | |
|---|---|
| Competition | 2025 Club World Cup (group A) |
| Date | Sunday June 30, 2025 |
| Hour | 02:00 (French time) |
| Stadium | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
The probable compos of the Al Ahly – Inter Miami match:
Al Ahly: El Shenawy; Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, DEBES; El Solia, Ashour, Ateya; Mohamed, Trezeguet; Abu Ali.
Inter Miami: Ustari; Weigandt, Falcon, Aviles, Allen; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez
On which chain to see Al Ahly – Inter Miami?
| Country | Diffuser (s) |
|---|---|
| France | Dazn France (also via Prime Video & MyCanal) |
| Belgium, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland, Middle East, Türkiye | Dazn |
| Egypt | MBC Masr 2 |
| Russia | Okko Sport Russia |
| Türkiye | TRT SPORT |
| Czech Republic | Nova Sport 3 |
