FIFA would have hoped to have both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in action at the 32-team Club World Cup in the US. However, while Messi’s Inter Miami is playing through the host nation’s slot, Ronaldo’s is absent from the tournament.

The lineup for the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 is complete. Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look. Lionel Messi’s reunion with former club Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid’s meeting with Juventus are the eye-catching ties of a mouthwatering round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup.

For example, Mohamed Salah won’t feature in the 2025 Club World Cup since Liverpool didn’t make the cut. This is despite Salah having an incredible season in the Premier League, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists - a record-breaking performance.