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ORLANDO, Fla. — The new-look Club World Cup begins Saturday with Saudi Arabian club Al Ahly taking on American side Inter Miami, kicking off the month-long tournament hosted across the United States.

A brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the tournament is, for the first time, expanded from 7 to 32 teams

The 63 matches are played in 12 stadiums in 11 American cities — including Atlanta — and also serve as a test for next yearÐÔÊӽ紫ý World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

While there has been resistance mainly in Europe to yet another event in an already full calendar, the overall prize money of $1 billion and winning a new trophy is tempting.

“We are very much looking forward to it. Everyone wants to win. We want to present ourselves in the best way,� Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer said.

Teams from other areas are embracing the opportunity to feature on a global stage in the new-look event.

The tournament

Following the same format as the 32-team World Cups between 1998 and 2022, teams are pitted into eight groups of four teams each, with the top two advancing to the knock-outs. The only difference is that there will be no match for third place.

The opening match on Saturday features Lionel MessiÐÔÊӽ紫ý Inter Miami and Egypian top side Al Ahly. The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets NFL teams.

Matches are played in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, East Rutherford, Miami Gardens, Nashville, Orlando (two venues), Pasadena, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC.

The tournament is to be staged every four years.

Who is playing?

All FIFA Confederations are sending teams, from Auckland City as the lone Oceania representative to a dozen sides from Europe led by freshly crowned Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

The other European sides, chosen by past success, a coefficient system and with only two sides permitted per country, are Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus, Porto, Benfica and RB Salzburg.

South America sends six teams, including four from Brazil: Botafogo, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Fluminense. Africa, Asia and the confederation for North and central America as well as the Caribbean have four teams each, while Inter Miami got a wildcard.

Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders are the only MLS clubs competing in the tournament.

Who is in Atlanta?

Atlanta will host six matches throughout the tournament:

Chelsea FC (England) vs. Los Angeles FC (United States) — 3 p.m. Monday, June 16.

Inter Miami CF (United States) vs. FC Porto (Portugal) — 3 p.m. Thursday, June 19.

Manchester City (England) vs. Al Ain FC (United Arab Emirates) — 9 p.m. Sunday, June 22.

Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up — Noon Sunday, June 29.

Group F winner vs. Group E runner-up — 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 1.

Tournament quarterfinal — Noon Saturday, July 5.

Inter Miami and Manchester City provide the biggest stars guaranteed to play in Atlanta.

Miami features Messi and some of his best friends from the height of his time playing for FC Barcelona; he has recurited Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. It also boasts one of the best rising American stars, 20-year-old midfielder Benja Cremaschi.

While Miami is a squad of over-the-hill stars with something left in the tank, Manchester City is the modern-day super club. Ederson, Rodri and Erling Haaland were each named to the 2024 FIFPRO World 11, and Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Chelsea also has a wealth of talent, most of it young. Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo are both 23 years old and rank among the Premier LeagueÐÔÊӽ紫ý 10 expensive players by market value. Enzo Fernández also plays a big role, and is the 17th-most expensive player at 24 years old.

LAFC is not the retirement home for stars it was several years ago, but still boasts French national team legends Hugo Lloris and Olivíer Giroud.

FC Porto lacks many names recognizable to an American audience, but finished third in the most recent Primeira Liga season.

Al Ain similarly lacks the star power other rich Middle Eastern clubs offer, but it finished fifth in the most recent UAE Pro League.

Of the clubs that could play in Atlanta in the knockout rounds are a smattering of the most recognizable brands in European soccer: Atlético Madrid (Spain), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Inter Milan (Italy) and Paris Saint-Germain (France).

Who is not there?

While the likes of Messi, Real MadridÐÔÊӽ紫ý Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, BayernÐÔÊӽ紫ý Harry Kane and CityÐÔÊӽ紫ý Erling are present, there are also notable absentees.

Cristiano Ronaldo from freshly crowned Nations League winners Portugal and Saudi club Al-Nassr is absent, as is Spanish teenage sensation and Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine Yamal from Barcelona.

Spanish champion Barcelona are not qualified, and neither are Premier League winners Liverpool and Serie A champions Napoli.

Who are the favorites?

European teams have enjoyed the most success in the past formats and that is not expected to change. PSG hope to double up after their maiden Champions League success, Real Madrid want to land a trophy after all this season under new coach Xabi Alonso, and so do Pep GuardiolaÐÔÊӽ紫ý City.

Former Germany and US coach Jürgen Klinsmann meanwhile rates the South American teams highly because their players could be fresher in the middle of their season while Europe is at the end of it.

“I think that the South Americans are in full swing. Boca Juniors are my favourites,� he said, picking the famous side from Buenos Aires.

The prize money

In all, FIFA is splashing out $1 billion, half of it in appearance fees for the participating teams. The winner can rake in up to $125 million.

A group stage win is worth $2 million, a last 16 success $7.5 million, a quarter-final victory $13.125 million and a semi-final success $21 million. The runner-up gets $30 million and the winner $40 million.

The criticism

While the clubs can’t ignore the huge prize money, there has been criticism, mainly from Europe. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has named the tournament useless amid fears that this latest big event only adds to the strain for the players after an already long season and raises burnout fears.

European teams that go a long way will have no real summer break because domestic action starts in mid-August, a year after a short summer break due to Euro 2024, and the same next year due to the World Cup.

The players union FIFPRO and the association of European leagues have lodged a joint complaint at the European Commission against FIFA, saying the calendar is beyond saturation and question whether FIFA could create the event without proper involvement of all stakeholders.

There was also concern because FIFA took a long time to land a broadcast deal which eventually came in the form of an agreement reportedly worth $1 billion with streaming portal DAZN.