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Match Preview for Al-Ain v Juventus
Two clubs from vastly different footballing traditions clash on Wednesday as Juventus make their Club World Cup debut against Al-Ain.
The Group G opener takes place in Washington DC, marking the start of each team’s quest to progress past a challenging group that also includes African champions Wydad AC and reigning champions Manchester City.
Juventus enter the competition after qualifying as UEFA’s eighth-best team over a four-year span, joining Italian rivals Inter Milan in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Al-Ain, veterans of the tournament, return hoping to recapture the magic of 2018, when they stunned the footballing world by reaching the final.
Our Club World Cup debut is coming 🔜@FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/kAe2yP0H0S | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/wUvZAjOTTT
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) June 17, 2025
Team News for Al-Ain v Juventus
Juventus have received a boost with two long-term injuries returning to partial training.
Brazilian defender Bremer and Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik are not yet ready to feature but have travelled with the squad.
Midfield linchpin Manuel Locatelli is expected to recover in time from an ankle issue that kept him out of Italy’s national team duty.
For Al-Ain, the focus will be on their dynamic front line. Togolese striker Kodjo Laba found the net 20 times in the UAE Pro League last season, including an impressive eight headed goals.
He’ll be partnered by Soufiane Rahimi, MVP of the 2024 AFC Champions League and Golden Boot winner at the Paris Olympics.
In goal, Rui Patricio is expected to make his tournament debut for Al-Ain after joining from Roma.
Expected Line-ups for Al-Ain v Juventus
Al-Ain: Rui Patricio; Autonne, Park, Cardoso; Traore, Nader, Palacios, Erik; Kaku; Laba, Rahimi
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
العين يواصل استعداداته للمباراة الأولى في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 🟣⚽️#كأس_العالم_للأندية_2025 | #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/BTOBSktPlZ
— نادي العين (@alainfcae) June 17, 2025
How to Watch Al-Ain v Juventus: TV Channel, Online Stream
Al-Ain v Juventus will kick-off at 02:00am on Thursday morning for viewers in the UK. The match will be available to stream for free on DAZN.
The Stats for Al-Ain v Juventus
- Juventus recorded 17 clean sheets last season across all competitions.
- Kenan Yildiz contributed 15 goal involvements, making him the third-youngest player to reach that figure in Europe’s top five leagues, behind only Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue.
- Al-Ain have previously reached the Club World Cup final in 2018, where they were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid.
Prediction
Despite a season marred by inconsistency and managerial changes, Juventus should have enough to edge past an Al-Ain side that, while spirited, are outmatched on paper.
It might not be a showcase of attacking flair, but Juve are likely to grind out the result they need to set themselves up for a potential top-two finish in the group.
Juventus 1-0 Al-Ain
