FIFA’s Club World Cup will run from June 14 to July 13 in the United States.
There are eight four-team groups, with Boca Juniors in Group C and River Plate in Group E. Only the top two progress from each of groups – making it into the knockouts would be a major achievement for both Argentine sides, though not impossible.
On paper, River have a slightly easier group with only one top team, though Boca – who face Bayern Munich, among others – likely has the weakest individual opponent in the form of Auckland City.
There will be many Argentine stars plying their trade at the tournament – not least national team skipper Lionel Messi, whose Inter Miami face Egyptian side Al Ahly in Miami on June 14 (9pm Buenos Aires time), Portugal’s FC Porto in Atlanta on June 19 (6pm) and Brazil's Palmeiras in Miami on June 23 (10pm).
Boca Juniors open their campaign against Portuguese side Benfica in Miami on June 16 at 7pm. The Xeneize’s toughest match will likely be against German champions Bayern Munich in Miami on June 20 at 10pm. Their final clash – in which Boca will be hoping to bag all three points – comes against New Zealand’s Auckland City on June 24 at 4pm.
River Plate were drawn in Group E. First up, on June 17 in Seattle at 4pm, is Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds. After that, the Millo face Mexico’s Monterrey in Los Angeles on June 21 at 10pm, before a challenging final group game against UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan in Seattle on June 25, kick-off 10pm.
The top two in each group qualify for the round of 16 knockout stage. River, should they progress, would play in Charlotte or Atlanta on either June 30 or July 1. Boca, again if they qualify, would either play on June 28 or June 29 in either Miami or Charlotte.
Quarter-finals are due to take place on July 4 and July 5, followed by semi-finals on July 8 or July 9.
The final showdown between the two finalists will take place in New Jersey on July 13 at 4pm Buenos Aires time.
– TIMES/AFP
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