Major Man City FIFA Club World Cup update as nine opponents ruled out and Lionel Messi reality clear

Manchester City will avoid Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Thursday's group stage draw for the FIFA Club World Cup next summer - but could be paired with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

And they could face a daunting group clash with Champions League rivals Inter Milan or Atletico Madrid after FIFA confirmed the seedings for the group stage. City will play one fellow UEFA team in the group stage as there are only European sides in Pot Two, but will avoid the best-ranked sides in the competition after being seeded in Pot One.

City will defend their Club World Cup title in the expanded 32-team tournament, with Thursday's draw confirming their three group opponents and where those games will take place.

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Now, FIFA have confirmed the four seeding pots, with City in Pot One alongside Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and the side they beat in the 2023 final, Fluminense.

Pot Two contains Chelsea - who City will avoid as a fellow English qualifier - plus Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus and Salzburg.

There will be no restrictions for City in Pot Three, which contains Al Hilal, Ulsan HD, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Monterrey, Leon, Boca Juniors and newly-crowned Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo.

And there could be a reunion between Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi in Pot Four if City are paired with Inter Miami. The final pot is completed by 2023 opponents Urawa Red Diamonds, as well as Al Ain, ES Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pachuca, Seattle