Al Ahly comes out of Egypt having qualified after winning the CAF Champions League in 2020-21. This is the club’s 10th trip to the CWC, and fourth year in a row. Al Ahly has finished third in three of the last four tournaments.

The opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup delivered high drama, not least due to an unexpected flashpoint involving none other than Lionel Messi. As Inter Miami took on Egyptian giants Al Ahly, it wasn’t a goal,