📋 Inter line-up to seal a place in the Copa do Brasil last 16
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Internacional returns to the field this Thursday (22), at 7pm (Brasilia time), when they face Maracanã, for the second leg of the third round of the Copa do Brasil 2025.
Even though the home team is from Ceará, the match will be played at the Orlando Scarpelli Stadium, in Santa Catarina.
Having won the first leg 1 x 0, at Beira-Rio, Colorado only needs a draw to secure their place in the round of 16 of the tournament.
Maracanã needs to win by two goals to qualify for the next round. In case of a victory for the albiceleste team, the spot will be decided on penalties.
Compared to the last match (1 x 1 with Mirassol, for the Brasileirão), coach Roger Machado opted for the entries of Victor Gabriel, Fernando and Gustavo Prado in the places of Juninho, Ronaldo and Thiago Maia, respectively, in Inter.📝 INTER CONFIRMADO! 🔥🔗 Jogue com responsabilidade na #CasaDeResponsa: @alfabetbr. https://t.co/v0rc23hK8A 🔞 Proibido para menores | Jogue com responsabilidadeAutorização https://t.co/oK3I3srfB4 n° 2.100/2024 #escalacao pic.twitter.com/Z9BuYTgMj5
— Sport Club Internacional (@SCInternacional) May 22, 2025
📸 Buda Mendes - 2025 Getty Images
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New York Times
35 minutes ago
- New York Times
MLB teams most likely to be sellers at trade deadline — and the players they could shop
With the calendar flipping to June, the MLB trade deadline is less than two months away. That leaves about eight weeks for contending teams to make deals to acquire players to improve their rosters, and eight weeks for non-contenders to start to rebuild for 2026 and beyond. Of course, there's a lot of baseball to be played between now and the July 31 deadline, but the landscape is starting to take shape. So let's begin to take stock, with the caveat that there will be changes along the way that no one can foresee. Advertisement Below are the nine teams that I currently believe will become 'sellers' at this year's trade deadline, but keep in mind several other teams that remain in contention now will join this list by the All-Star break (or shortly thereafter). It's pretty obvious, based on their records and low expectations entering the season, that the Rockies, White Sox, Pirates, Athletics, Marlins and Angels will be selling. Meanwhile, the Nationals, although hovering around .500, are a year away from legitimately contending, so they, too, need to focus on future seasons, and I expect them to ultimately be sellers. That leaves two surprise sellers on my initial list: the Orioles and Diamondbacks. At the start of the season, I thought both would make the playoffs as wild-card teams, but they've underperformed. Their pitching staffs have been riddled with injuries and just haven't delivered. The Orioles' staff ranks 28th in the majors with a 5.27 ERA, while the D-Backs' pitchers haven't fared much better (24th, 4.81 ERA). Baltimore is in worse shape, in the standings and overall — Arizona's offense ranks fourth in MLB in OPS and fifth in runs scored — but both teams have dug holes and, barring a change in fortune, it's probably best they become sellers. As the Orioles and Diamondbacks weigh whether to sell, they'll consider that they could become the headliners of this trade deadline in a sellers' market. They could both make shrewd trade deadline deals, then enter the offseason a key free agent or two away from contending again next year. Since most of this year's likely sellers don't have a lot of talent to trade, Baltimore and Arizona could take advantage of the lackluster market. The Orioles could dangle impact bat Ryan O'Hearn (175 OPS+), elite center fielder Cedrick Mullins and veteran starting pitchers such as Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano. The Diamondbacks, particularly if they learn ace Corbin Burnes will miss significant time with an elbow injury, could make starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly available in trade talks and could put first baseman Josh Naylor on the trade market too. All seven of those players are impending free agents. Advertisement It can be a tough and unpopular call to sell in these situations, and both teams have time to make that decision. Both expected to play in the postseason this year, but if they instead play at the trade deadline, then next year they could be in a much stronger position for October baseball. For now, here is my take on the nine teams that I believe will be sellers at the trade deadline, along with the players they could shop or contenders would covet. Starting pitchers: The Rockies don't have much to trade from their majors-worst rotation, but a team could take a chance on Kyle Freeland, who has posted a 4.29 ERA over six road starts this season. Freeland, 32, is making $16 million this year and will earn $16 million in 2026, plus has a $17 million vesting option for 2027 that's triggered if he reaches 170 innings next year. He's a back-of-the-rotation lefty who could benefit from a change of scenery and not having to pitch half his games in Coors Field. Relief pitchers: Colorado could dangle its two closers, Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen, or even set-up relievers such as Jake Bird and Victor Vodnik. The historically bad Rockies are in no position to hang onto relievers if they could be dealt for either starting pitching prospects or everyday position players at any level. Catchers/Infielders: Veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon is a trade candidate with the positional flexibility to also play second base. He's signed through 2027 and will make $32 million over the final two years of the contract. However, he has struggled this year at the plate (83 OPS+) and just doesn't have the trade value he possessed in the past four years, when he averaged 20-plus home runs per season. Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is their most valuable infielder, but he's an important building block and not going anywhere. Advertisement Outfielders/DH: Their most valuable outfielder, center fielder Brenton Doyle, is having a down year, but the two-time Gold Glove Award winner is a keeper for the long term. Jordan Beck has some value, but the second-year major leaguer is unlikely to be moved. Most likely to be traded: LHP Kyle Freeland, 3B Ryan McMahon, RHP Seth Halvorsen Starting pitchers: The White Sox are developing a young rotation that includes Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Davis Martin and Jonathan Cannon — none of whom is expected to get traded. Adrian Houser, the lone healthy veteran in their rotation, could be dealt to a team looking for back-of-the-rotation depth. Relief pitchers: Steven Wilson will probably be traded. The veteran righty will be arbitration-eligible for two more years. He's allowed only one run over his past seven appearances and has a 2.16 ERA on the season. Catchers/Infielders: Miguel Vargas is the only infielder the White Sox could get nibbles on. The ex-Dodger has had a solid season at third base with eight homers, 15 doubles and 26 RBIs, and he has some positional flexibility. However, Vargas is only 25 years old and Chicago is not looking to trade him. Outfielders/DH: Luis Robert Jr. is their top trade chip, but he's had a brutal start to the season, batting just .177 with a .266 on-base percentage. He does have five homers and 21 stolen bases and plays plus defense in center field, but — unless he starts raking in June and July — the White Sox's asking price will have to come way down. Most likely to be traded: CF Luis Robert Jr., RHP Adrian Houser and RHP Stephen Wilson Starting pitchers: The Pirates can shop veteran lefty Andrew Heaney, an impending free agent. He has posted a 3.39 ERA over 12 starts and can help eat innings at the back of a rotation. They are less likely to trade from the rest of their rotation, which includes ace Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Bailey Falter along with Jared Jones, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Advertisement Relief pitchers: Pittsburgh has several relievers to trade including closers Dennis Santana and David Bednar, who are a combined 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season, and veteran lefty relievers Caleb Ferguson and Ryan Borucki. Catchers/Infielders: Second baseman Adam Frazier and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa can be shopped, but they would be merely extra players on a contending team rather than starting, like they do for Pittsburgh. The Pirates could explore trading third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, but he's having another poor offensive season and his power has never arrived. Hayes is signed through 2029, and although he'll make an affordable $7.5 million annually over the next four years and deliver strong defense, most teams wouldn't want his contract. Outfielders/DH: It's unlikely the Pirates trade any of their outfielders. Oneil Cruz, their best player, isn't going anywhere. Bryan Reynolds is having a down year and is owed more than $15 million per year through 2030. DH Andrew McCutchen is expected to finish his career as a Pirate. Most likely to be traded: LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Dennis Santana, 2B/OF Adam Frazier Starting pitchers: The A's could listen to inquiries on lefty Jeffrey Springs, whom they acquired in a trade with the Rays in the offseason, and fellow southpaw JP Sears; both have multiple years of team control. It's not like they'd want to move either, but they'd at least listen in case they get a compelling offer. Relief pitchers: Every contender would want the A's closer, Mason Miller, but there is no indication they'll trade him. Don't be surprised if they at least listen on Miller, who is under team control through 2029, as he could bring back a franchise-changing haul in prospects. It's more likely they move righty Tyler Ferguson, who has a 3.76 ERA over 27 appearances. Catchers/Infielders: The A's have a solid young infield but they're movable pieces are backup players such as Miguel Andujar (strained oblique), Luis Urías or Gio Urshela (hamstring strain). However, two of the three are on the injured list and none of them has much trade value. Advertisement Outfielders/DH: It's unlikely an outfielder or DH is moved. Most likely to be traded: LHP Jeffrey Springs, RHP Tyler Ferguson, 3B/OF Miguel Andujar Starting pitchers: After losing their best starter (Corbin Burnes) in free agency to the Diamondbacks last offseason and their next best starter (Grayson Rodriguez) to the IL this season with elbow inflammation, the Orioles will need to listen to trade offers on the rest of their rotation to begin their reboot in earnest. Tomoyuki Sugano is having a solid first year in MLB (3.23 ERA over 11 starts), but he's 35 years old. Zach Eflin will be a free agent at season's end, so dealing the righty for prospects and then trying to re-sign him in the offseason probably makes sense. Also, despite his poor start to the season, if Charlie Morton (6.20 ERA) can put together a string of good outings, he's another veteran who could be traded. Relief pitchers: The Orioles don't want to move their impact closer, Félix Bautista, who is under team control through 2027, but they'll at least listen to see if they get an overwhelming offer. Otherwise, veterans such as righty Seranthony Domínguez and lefty Gregory Soto, both impending free agents, should be traded. The Orioles might even listen to inquiries on Yennier Cano and Keegan Akin to see if some team will offer solid pitching prospects in return. They must rebuild their pitching staff with younger arms. Catchers/Infielders: The Orioles can shop both of their first base/DH power bats in Ryan O'Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle. O'Hearn, who is slashing .329/.416/.535 with nine homers and 22 RBIs, has the most trade value of any Orioles player. He will be a free agent after this season. Mountcastle is on the IL with a strained hamstring but his raw right-handed power still has some value. That said, his home run totals have declined every year since 2021. Outfielders/DH: Cedric Mullins is also on the IL with a strained hamstring but should be healthy by the trade deadline. An elite defensive center fielder, Mullins is having a solid offensive year with 10 homers, eight steals and a 123 OPS+ in 50 games. He will be a free agent after the season. Most likely to be traded: 1B/DH Ryan O'Hearn, CF Cedric Mullins, RHP Zach Eflin Advertisement Starting pitchers: In March, Sandy Alcantara was expected to be a headliner of this year's trade deadline, but he hasn't been able to regain his Cy Young Award form of 2022 after returning from Tommy John surgery. It would be foolish for the Marlins to swap Alcantara with his ERA so high (8.47 ERA) and trade value so low. They'll need to wait until the offseason or next year's deadline — he's under team control through 2027 — before they consider trading him. The rest of the Marlins' rotation consists of 25- to 27-year-old starters like Max Meyer, Ryan Weathers and Edward Cabrera who are building blocks. That leaves veteran Cal Quantrill as the only likely trade chip from this group, but he has a 5.84 ERA over 11 starts. Relief pitchers: The Marlins could listen to offers on some of their relievers including Ronny Henriquez (2.20 ERA, 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings), Jesus Tinoco (5.12 ERA, four saves), Calvin Faucher (4.95 ERA, four saves) and Anthony Bender (1.52 ERA). Catchers/Infielders: They really don't have anything to trade in the infield as it is filled with young, developing players with minimal service time. Outfielders/DH: The same can be said for the outfield and DH positions, though right fielder Jesús Sánchez is an exception. He will be arbitration-eligible in 2026 and is a left-handed bat (109 OPS+) some contending teams could chase. Most likely to be traded: RF Jesús Sánchez, RHP Cal Quantrill, RHP Anthony Bender Starting pitchers: The Angels could shop their best starter, Yusei Kikuchi (3.06 ERA), but it's unlikely they trade the lefty after signing him to a three-year, $63 million deal to headline their offseason. They could dangle José Soriano or Tyler Anderson, both of whom have ERAs under 3.90 this season. Anderson, 35, will be a free agent after this season. Advertisement Relief pitchers: Kenley Jansen is 12-for-12 in save opportunities and should have some trade value. Other relievers who could get moved include Ryan Zeferjahn and Brock Burke. Catchers/Infielders: Veteran catcher Travis d'Arnaud could get traded to a contender as could versatile infielder Luis Rengifo and maybe even third baseman Yoán Moncada (IL). D'Arnaud is signed through 2026, while the other two are impending free agents. Outfielders/DH: Left fielder Taylor Ward could bring back the best prospect package. He has 16 homers and 11 doubles with a .271 on-base percentage and is under team control through next year. Jorge Soler and his power bat could be traded again, and it probably makes sense for the Angels to get out of his contract ($16 million per year through 2026) if possible. Most likely to be traded: LF Taylor Ward, RHP Kensley Jansen, LHP Tyler Anderson Starting pitchers: Veterans Michael Soroka and Trevor Williams could get moved if they have a strong run of starts in June and July. Both are back-of-the-rotation inning-eaters at this point. Relief pitchers: The Nationals didn't trade closer Kyle Finnegan at last year's trade deadline and then were able to re-sign him in the offseason on an affordable one-year contract. Finnegan has 16 saves and a 2.61 ERA, and I'll be surprised if he isn't traded at this year's deadline. Lefty Andrew Chafin, who has been traded at the deadline two years in a row, could be on the move again. He has a 2.00 ERA in 12 appearances and left-handed batters are hitting .200 against him. Catchers/infielders: The only infielders who could get traded are utility types such as Amed Rosario and Paul DeJong, the latter of whom is on the IL with a broken nose. Outfielders/DH: They won't trade from their young outfield of James Wood in left, Robert Hassell III in center and Dylan Crews in right, although if center fielder Jacob Young comes back healthy from a sprained shoulder, he could get moved. He's a plus defender who can really run in center, ranking in the 94th percentile in sprint speed and the 85th percentile in outs above average (defensive range). In addition, Josh Bell could be traded again, but he'll have to perform much better in June and July for anyone to have interest. Advertisement Most likely to be traded: RHP Kyle Finnegan, CF Jacob Young, LHP Andrew Chafin Starting pitchers: Corbin Burnes underwent an MRI after exiting Sunday's game with an elbow issue. If the Diamondbacks get bad news on Burnes, they could become surprise sellers at the trade deadline, and if that happens, they could trade Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as both are impending free agents. Gallen is having a subpar year — he's logged a 5.54 ERA, more than two runs over his career mark — and would have to pitch much better over his next five to six starts for the Diamondbacks to get anything close to his value if he were pitching at his accustomed level. Relief pitchers: The Diamondbacks could shop veteran relievers such as Shelby Miller, Jalen Beeks, Ryan Thompson and Kendall Graveman, all of whom are in their 30s. Catchers/Infielders: Arizona made a great trade in the offseason to land first baseman Josh Naylor, but if they pivot to selling, he will probably get dealt again given he's in his free-agent walk year. Naylor, 27, would be an excellent fit for the Seattle Mariners or Cincinnati Reds. Outfielders/DH: Randal Grichuk could be dealt to a team that needs an extra outfielder; he has some power and has learned how to come off the bench successfully. Most likely to be traded: RHP Zac Gallen, 1B Josh Naylor, RHP Shelby Miller (Top image photos: Ryan O'Hearn: Winslow Townson / Getty Images; Taylor Ward: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 2025 Club World Cup field is strong. This one would be better
As global soccer's attention shifts from European leagues to the Club World Cup, there is, at times, a sharp sense of whiplash. The latter, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed, features 'the 32 best club teams in the world.' And yet, the reigning champions of England, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. won't be present. This, to be clear, is not a flaw. It's a function of the Club World Cup's qualification system. Berths in the novel tournament were earned over a span of four years, either by winning continental titles or performing well in those competitions from 2021-2024. The criteria were objective and clear (until Lionel Messi needed an invite). They gave us Real Madrid and PSG, Al Hilal and Al Ahly, River Plate and Palmeiras. None of the following is to suggest that they should be changed or circumvented. Advertisement But, frankly, they did not deliver the '32 best teams.' Even within geographical constraints, they omitted some giants. So, with kickoff near, we decided to reimagine the field, and redraft it based on present-day strength. For the most part, we followed FIFA's rules. We kept the exact same regional allocation, which gives the tournament global flavor. We navigated the two-clubs-per-country cap, with only a few exceptions. And we came up with an ideal field — one that includes only a little more than half of the actual 2025 Club World Cup participants. Europe Liverpool (in place of Manchester City) — The 2024-25 Premier League champs are a no-brainer pick, and the highest-ranked European team to fall short of qualification — because two other English clubs, Chelsea and Man City, won the Champions League in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Advertisement Arsenal (in place of Chelsea) — The EPL runners-up had one critical, injury-induced hole at striker this past season. They could fill it, in this hypothetical scenario, during FIFA's special pre-Club World Cup transfer window, perhaps with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško. Lamine Yamal helped FC Barcelona to a domestic double this past season. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (NurPhoto via Getty Images) Barcelona (in place of Atlético Madrid) — The most entertaining team in soccer, bar none; and arguably the best, at least until a dramatic Champions League semifinal defeat to Inter Milan. If Lamine Yamal and Co. were involved, they'd be among the Club World Cup's headliners. (They're not because, over the four years prior to their 2024-25 rebound, they sputtered in Europe.) Real Madrid — Los Blancos fell short of every single expectation in Kylian Mbappé's first season; and now, with Carlo Ancelotti off to Brazil, they have a new manager. But they're still the second-best team in Spain. Advertisement PSG — What a team. What a performance in Saturday's Champions League final. Mentally, it will be difficult to re-gear up for another (lesser) tournament on another continent two weeks later … but if anybody can do it, it's Luis Enrique and PSG, who'll come to America atop global soccer. Inter Milan — Drubbed by PSG, and perhaps exposed, but Inter is unquestionably still a top-two team in Italy. Napoli (in place of Juventus) — Two Serie A titles in three seasons, the latest one willed over the line by … Manchester United reject Scott McTominay. Bayern Munich — Back on top of Germany after a one-year aberration, Bayern is clearly one of the 10 best teams in the world — even if its 2024-25 squad, but the club's lofty modern standards, was unremarkable. Advertisement Borussia Dortmund — Bayer Leverkusen, the 2024 Bundesliga champs and 2025 runners-up, probably deserve Germany's second slot. But they faded down the stretch, and just lost their manager. Dortmund, on the other hand, was the league's best team from March 1 through last month's finales. Sporting CP (in place of FC Porto) — Recently won a dramatic domestic double, beating Lisbon rival Benfica in the Portuguese Cup final and the league, powered by formidable Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres. Benfica — This is not a classic Benfica team … yet it still reached the Champions League Round of 16, and came within a minute and a point of the domestic double that Sporting won instead. PSV (in place of RB Salzburg) — Upset Juventus in the Champions League, then surged to the top of the Dutch Eredivisie and surpassed a collapsing Ajax. Advertisement South America Four of South America's six spots in the actual 2025 Club World Cup went to Brazil, because four different Brazilian clubs swept the Copa Libertadores titles during the qualification period. So, for the sake of this exercise, we're going to compromise with the two-per-country rule and make it three-per-country — in part because that makes our choices a bit simpler. Palmeiras — One of two obvious picks, the Verdão are probably the most potent non-European team in the competition. Flamengo — With a combo of proven CONMEBOL stars — such as Giorgian De Arrascaeta — and returnees from Europe — such as Alex Sandro — Flamengo is solidly the second-best team in Brazil at the moment (if not the best). Advertisement Botafogo — Several of last season's stars, including Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique, have since departed. So it seems likely that Botafogo will settle back into Série A's mid-table. But their incredible 2024, which featured a league title and the club's first Libertadores triumph, is more than enough to merit a place in the Club World Cup. River Plate — The only easy choice from Argentina, despite an ongoing downswing domestically. Boca Juniors — Boca has been bad, by Boca standards, for a few years now. Its results have been substandard and its soccer has been ugly. But it's still the most famous club in South America. Its zealous fan base should help bring the Club World Cup to life. That, as much as anything else, is an adequate reason for inclusion. Racing (in place of Fluminense) — The Argentine Primera is one of the most chaotic, confusing, topsy-turvy major leagues in global soccer. Vélez Sarsfield somehow won the 2024 edition; now, they're back in third-to-last place. So we'll go with Racing, which has been decent in the league and better in the Libertadores group stage. But it's really tough to find two deserving clubs from outside Brazil, much less three. (Uruguay's Peñarol was the one non-Argentine club considered.) Despite a disappointing end to their season, Club América would've drawn heavy interest at the Club World Cup. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) North America Club América (in place of Pachuca) — Las Águilas took home back-to-back-to-back Liga MX titles before falling to Toluca last month on the doorstep of a fourth. They're the biggest club in North America and probably the best team, even if their attack has been ailing. (They've been blanked in 10 of their last 18 games, and hardly created anything from open play in Saturday's play-in game loss to LAFC.) Advertisement Cruz Azul (in place of Monterrey) — In winning their seventh CONCACAF title on Sunday, Cruz Azul lived up to its nickname: La Máquina, 'The Machine.' It looked like the best team in Mexico, and arguably has been, on balance, since the start of 2024. It would be an excellent addition to the Club World Cup. Vancouver Whitecaps (in place of Seattle Sounders) — The 'Caps got blitzed by Cruz Azul in Mexico City, but their run to the 2025 Champions Cup final was legit. Against all odds — they were picked to finish 14th in the Western Conference — they've waltzed to the top of MLS even without their injured captain and designated player, Ryan Gauld. They wouldn't bring much buzz to the Club World Cup, of course; but in a friendlier setting than a rocking Estadio Olímpico Universitario, they might be able to scrap with some of the South American and second-rate European participants. Philadelphia Union (in place of LAFC) — You could make a case for nearly a dozen teams here. The Columbus Crew, for example, have been Major League Soccer's best and most consistent team ever since Wilfried Nancy took charge in 2023. LAFC has been close behind, and proved its worth by outlasting Club América. But we'll go with the Union, who currently sit atop the Eastern Conference, with underlying numbers that suggest their head-turning start to 2025 is no fluke. Asia Al Hilal — They won neither the Saudi league nor the Asian Champions League in 2024-25, but they've been the country's and the continent's dominant team for a few years now. Their roster is stacked with names you probably know — Aleksandar Mitrović, João Cancelo, Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Yassine Bounou — and others you might not who are similarly talented. They also have wads of cash, and should be able to further reinforce their squad ahead of the Club World Cup. Karim Benzema of Al-Ittihad lifts the King Cup of Champions trophy after his team's victory in the Final King's Cup match between Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah at King Abdullah Sports City on May 30, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by) (Yasser Bakhsh via Getty Images) Al Ittihad (in place of Al Ain) — Our second Saudi pick could realistically be any of the remaining three of the Big Four. Al Nassr is the most well-known, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Ahli are the recently crowned Asian champs. But Al Ittihad ran away with the Pro League, then followed it up with a Kings Cup title. Just like at the front six — Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby, Steven Bergwijn, Houssem Aouar, N'Golo Kanté and Fabinho — and you instantly see why. Advertisement Vissel Kobe (in place of Urawa Reds) — Narrowly over Urawa Reds, Japan's actual Club World Cup rep; and Kashima Antlers, who currently lead the J-League. Ulsan — There are probably a dozen options for the non-Saudi picks. But we'll stick with the three-time reigning Korean champs, who have earned their place at the table. Africa Al Ahly — Egypt's winningest club has been chasing and lifting trophies relentlessly over the past five seasons. From 2020 through 2025, Al Ahly claimed four league titles, three Egypt Cups, four Super Cups, and, most remarkably, four Champions League crowds. Relative to continental competition, it might be the most dominant team in the entire Club World Cup field. Advertisement Mamelodi Sundowns — Africa's richest club is a mainstay in the latter stages of the CAF Champions League and atop the South African Premiership. Pyramids (in place of Wydad) — African champions, as of Sunday, for the very first time. Over the past seven years, Pyramids have been powered from obscurity to the top of Egyptian soccer by Saudi and then Emirati wealth. They've broken up the country's Big Two — Al Ahly and Zamalek — and will be at the next Club World Cup in 2029. ES Tunis — Without a clear choice for the fourth and final spot, we'll stick with the kings of Tunisia, who are also a regular continental contender (which is why they're in the actual 2025 Club World Cup). Oceania Auckland City — Auckland City is, on one hand, a minnow among giants, a group of amateurs among millionaires, a team that will be completely out of its depth. But it is, on the other hand, by far the best team in Oceania — in part because New Zealand's best clubs play in Australia's A-League. So, it retains its spot in our reimagined field. Host country FIFA reserved the final Club World Cup spot for a 'host country representative.' Of the 32 invites available, this is the one that felt fishy. For months, even when asked, FIFA wouldn't say how the spot would be filled. Then, on the final day of the MLS regular season, Infantino appeared in South Florida to award it to Inter Miami. And you know what? Inter Miami — … We'd do the same. Although the Herons have had a rough season, you could very easily argue they're still a top-three team in MLS. And, well, any tournament is more interesting with Messi in it.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
📹 Head to head: Germany v Portugal compared ahead of Nations League semi
Germany and Portugal will compete in the Nations League semifinals, this Wednesday (4), at 3pm (Brasília)/8pm (Lisbon). OneFootball, then, compared the two likely lineups for the duel! Check it out below! Advertisement Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Anton, Mittelstadt; Groß, Goretzka, Gnabry, Wirtz; Sané, Undav Coach: Julian Nagelsmann Diogo Costa; Dalot, António Silva, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo; Diogo Jota, Cristiano Ronaldo Coach: Roberto Martínez This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. 📸 Dean Mouhtaropoulos - 2024 Getty Images
