FIFA has released the official schedules, groups, and knockout brackets for the upcoming Club World Cup. Not only does the alluring prize money pool make it so highly anticipated, but also its unprecedentedness. The event has undergone a drastic change in format, gathering 32 teams instead of six reigning continental champions. The participating clubs will be divided into eight groups of four for the Group Stage, battling it out to determine the two best teams in each for the Knockout Round. Unlike the previous setup, which frequently favored the European champions, this new format makes it harder to predict the winner.
Bayern Munich was drawn into Group C, consisting of Auckland City from New Zealand, Boca Juniors from Argentina, and Benfica from Portugal. Auckland City is the Oceania Football Confederation's sole representative, having been the best-ranked winner of the OFC Champions League over the past four years. The historical Boca Juniors has been selected as CONMEBOL's second-best-ranked eligible team in the same time frame. Similarly, Benfica has also been chosen based on merit as the seventh-best side in UEFA's ranking in the period.
At first glance, Bayern Munich are relieved to be in a manageable group, being able to sidestep the likes of Inter Milan or Atletico Madrid. However, Benfica has always proven to be a tenacious competitor who can cause all sorts of trouble for the European giants. Boca Juniors is also an experienced squad featuring South American veterans like Edinson Cavani, Sergio Romero, and Marcos Rojo.
Nevertheless, if Die Roten plays the usual football and avoids complacency, they can advance to the next stage without breaking too much sweat.
What lies ahead in the Knockout Stage?
If everything goes well and Bayern Munich advances to the playoffs with the top spot of Group C, they will face the runner-ups of Group D. Group D includes Flamengo, Chelsea, Esperance de Tunis, and Los Angeles FC. Apart from LAFC, the remaining teams were all champions in their respective continents in the past six years.
The top spot in the Group Stage also opens up even more opportunities for Bayern if the club manages the win in the Round of 16. Awaiting Vincent Kompany and the players in the Quarterfinals will likely be either Porto, as Group A's winners, or Atletico Madrid, as Group B's runners, which can be considered more feasible opponents.
Having said that, Bayern Munich is never a team that shows any fear in facing anyone, with star power everywhere across the pitch. Die Roten will come to the USA with the determination to bring the trophy back to Munich.
The tournament begins on June 14. Full Bayern's Group Stage schedules:
June 15: Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET @ Cincinnati
June 20: Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, 9 p.m. ET @ Miami
June 24: Bayern Munich vs. Benfica, 3 p.m. ET @ Charlotte