Juventus Ready for Club World Cup Clash Against Al Ain in Washington
As we gear up for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, all eyes are on one of the most intriguing opening matches: Al Ain versus Juventus. Set to kick off at the Audi Field in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, June 18 at 9 PM local time (that’s 3 AM CEST on Thursday in Europe), this encounter marks Juventus’ official debut in the tournament — and the anticipation couldn’t be higher.
Juventus head coach Igor Tudor enters this tournament with both confidence and caution. He’s made it clear that the goal isn’t just to participate but to win — stating that when Juventus shows up on a global stage, it's always to compete at the highest level. “We’ve trained hard, adapted to the climate and time difference, and now it’s about showing who we are, one match at a time,” Tudor explained during the pre-match press conference.
The squad selection has been a hot topic. Due to injuries, some notable names like Mattia Perin and Gleison Bremer will miss the game. Bremer is recovering from a knee issue and isn't quite match-ready, while Perin is recovering from finger surgery. In their place, Di Gregorio will start in goal and Rugani, fresh off a loan spell at Ajax, will slot into the three-man defense alongside Kalulu and Kelly.
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Further up the field, Weston McKennie looks set to start in midfield as Manuel Locatelli continues to struggle with an ankle problem. Nico Gonzalez appears to have won the battle over Timothy Weah for the right wing-back role. In attack, Randal Kolo Muani is expected to lead the line, supported by two promising names: Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceiçao. That likely means Dusan Vlahovic will begin on the bench.
On the other side, Al Ain — managed by coach Ivic — will aim to punch above their weight. With Rui Patricio in goal and a 4-2-3-1 formation designed to frustrate and counter, they'll be relying on creativity from players like Kaku and pace from Soufiane Rahimi to pose a threat.
Tudor emphasized the need to respect every opponent, especially those from less-publicized leagues. “Some teams may not be globally famous, but their quality and unpredictability make them dangerous,” he said. “We focus on our identity, our performance, and taking it one step at a time.”
If you're wondering where to catch the game — the good news is it will be available for free. DAZN is streaming the entire Club World Cup, including this clash, and if you're watching from Italy, you can also tune in via Mediaset Play and Sportmediaset.it.
The atmosphere is set, the stakes are high, and Juventus are stepping onto the world stage with fire in their hearts. Whether you're a die-hard Bianconeri fan or a neutral looking for a great match, this one’s worth staying up for. The road to global glory begins here.
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