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Big things are happening in the world of football, and this year’s FIFA Club World Cup is no exception. The tournament now has a revamped format and is primed to deliver more action, drama, and excitement than ever before. However, let’s face it: previous editions of the tournament were somewhat of an afterthought, so providing all that excess joy shouldn’t be too difficult.
By expanding its scope, the Club World Cup is giving us extra helpings of top-tier football from across the globe. Who’s complaining? Well, plenty in England are, but the rest of the world appears to be salivating at the prospect of this summer’s showdown getting underway.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is one of three teams representing the hosting United States, with the honor of starting the tournament against Egyptian champions Al Ahly in the curtain raiser at Hard Rock Stadium. But amid the buzz, three clubs are turning heads with their new look, specifically curated to deliver the best possible performances at the Club World Cup.
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Real Madrid
Real Madrid doesn’t just adapt to change; they thrive on it. This year, Los Blancos are debuting their latest makeover with club legend Xabi Alonso now running the show from the sidelines.
Fresh off a successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, the two-time UEFA Champions League winner brings tactical brilliance and calm authority, traits that have prompted online sports betting sites to install the Spanish giants as the favorites for glory. The latest of Bovada’s sport betting odds currently price Real Madrid as the 4/1 favorites to leave MetLife Stadium as world champions in a month’s time, and considering just how committed they are to competing this summer, it’s clear to see why.
The side from the Spanish capital didn’t just stop at upgrading their bench; they then went and brought in the best right back on the planet as well, fixing perhaps the one weakness they had in their stacked starting lineup.
The Bernabeu outfit brought in Trent Alexander-Arnold a month sooner than expected, with the England international initially set to join the club on June 30th. Instead, the Spaniards have paid Liverpool €10m to wrap up the deal early. It’s not every day you see that kind of cash thrown around to fast-track an already-done deal, but hey, Madrid wanted their man, and now they’ve got him. Now, he will be aiming to repay that show of faith by leading his new club to the title.
Inter Milan
If there’s one team in need of a reset button, it’s Inter Milan. The 2024/25 season ended in disaster for the Nerazzurri, with form falling off a cliff and Simone Inzaghi packing his bags. Enter Christian Chivu. The former Inter player and youth coach has been handed the reins to steer the ship back on course. No pressure, right?
Chivu isn’t entirely untested; his experience with Inter’s youth teams speaks to his ability to develop talent and encourage disciplined football. His challenge now is getting the senior squad to click again. Still on hand are stars like Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella, who remain vital. Watching how Chivu balances rebuilding the team with keeping its core players happy will be fascinating.
The Club World Cup gives Inter Milan a chance to turn over a new leaf. The Nerazzurri’s regular season ended in disaster, missing out on both the Italian Cup and Serie A before being thumped 5-0 by PSG in the most lopsided Champions League final in history. Now, the new man at the helm will need to quickly stamp his authority on the team if they are to bounce back from that disappointment in Munich and hopefully leave a mark on the global stage.
Manchester City
You’d think winning just about everything in sight would mean Manchester City would sit tight for a while. Well, they did that last summer, and that ultimately turned out to be a disaster. Pep Guardiola and his crew are nothing if not forward-thinking, and following their disastrous Premier League title defense, the Catalonian boss has shuffled the pack ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup.
Tijjani Reijnders arrives to bolster midfield options after signing from AC Milan. Rayan Cherki, meanwhile, is all about flair, and his arrival after a stunning season with Lyon has Blues supporters excited that their club may well have unearthed a superstar at a cut price of £34m. Then there’s Rayan Ait-Nouri, whose addition from fellow English side Wolverhampton Wanderers strengthens City’s left flank.
Pep being Pep, you can bet these new faces will slot in seamlessly like they’ve been coached in the Guardiola lab for years. However, they will have work to do if they are to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, with the Belgian leaving the Etihad after a storied ten-year stint with the club.
But perhaps the biggest boost for City is the return of Rodri. He’s back to full fitness after that dreadful injury he suffered last October in the 2-2 draw to Arsenal, which ruled him out for the entirety of the domestic season. The Spaniard’s influence can’t be overstated; he’s the conductor of City’s midfield orchestra and the shield in front of their defense. Add him to this squad, and City suddenly feels even scarier.
