Messi opens the new Club World Cup, Neymar meets Real

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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will open the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup when the Major League Soccer side takes on Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening match on June 15, the tournament’s draw announced on Thursday.

Brazilian team Palmeiras and Portugal’s Porto complete Group A along with Argentina’s World Cup winner Messi, whose Miami team was awarded a spot by FIFA after finishing first in the MLS regular season.

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Brazilian Neymar, will face a reunion with La Liga rivals and European champions Real Madrid in Group H.

Twelve European clubs are taking part in the tournament, with Manchester City playing Juventus in Group G.

Paris Saint-Germain was drawn into a tough group with Atletico Madrid, Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo of Brazil and Seattle Sounders.

Club officials and former players gathered in Miami for Thursday’s draw and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump sent his best wishes in a video message ahead of the ceremony, which took place during a 90-minute live broadcast from a television studio in Miami.

The tournament final will take place on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

FIFA has struggled to find sponsors and broadcasters for the new tournament, but announced on Wednesday a global deal with streaming company DAZN, which will broadcast the games for free.

FIFA has encountered resistance from some players over the new tournament.

FIFpro and the European Leagues Board submitted a joint complaint to the European Commission against FIFA over the inclusion of the tournament in the international match calendar.

Opponents of the new tournament said it would add strain to an already crowded schedule and increase the workload on players.