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• Man City to face Juventus at revamped Club World Cup

  Manchester City will launch their Club World Cup title defence against Moroccan side Wydad, while also facing Juventus in the group stage of the revamped tournament.

  Pep Guardiola's side are the reigning champions having lifted the title in 2023, following their 4-0 victory over Brazilian club Fluminense in the final.

  City are also joined by Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Group G of the 32-team tournament in 2025, which will take place in the United States between June 15 and July 13.

  Reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid have been drawn alongside Red Bull Salzburg, Pachuca and Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal in Group H, meaning Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could be in line for a reunion.

  That duo's former club, Paris Saint-Germain, are joined by Atletico Madrid in Group B.

  Chelsea will play Flamengo, Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunisie in Group D, as Bayern Munich and Benfica are paired together in Group C.

  Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were somewhat contentiously included. They won MLS' Supporters' Shield, yet were dumped out of the playoffs by Atlanta United.

  Miami will face Porto, Palmeiras and Al-Ahly in Group A.

  Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al-Ahly, Inter Miami.

  Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders.

  Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Auckland City.

  Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, Club Leon, Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

  Group E: River Plate, Inter, Monterrey, Urawa Red Diamonds.

  Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns.

  Group G: Man City, Juventus, Wydad AC, Al-Ain.

  Group H: Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg, Al-Hilal, Pachuca.

• Yorke to keep eye on overseas talent as TTFA works on friendlies

  While the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) continues its efforts to arrange friendly matches for the national senior team, Head coach Dwight Yorke will focus on assessing overseas-based players, including those already in the squad and potential recruits eligible to represent the country.

  Yorke, who was appointed last month, has already conducted a one-week training camp with locally-based players, but TTFA President Kieron Edwards explained that the former Manchester United striker and his coaching staff would be alternating between local and international duties.

  “He’s also doing his due diligence to get up to speed with the international players... He’s carded to go and see Levi (Garcia) and have some discussions with Levi and those guys in Europe shortly,” Edwards said in an interview on local TV station WESN.

  Current immigration laws restrict the number of players with Trinidad and Tobago roots that can be recruited, but Edwards remains hopeful that these laws may eventually change.

  In the meantime, the TTFA is pressing forward with its search for new talent.

  “We are in discussions with several persons with heritage from the diaspora, not just on the senior level but Under-17 level as well, and the Under-20 level to bolster those teams because we have an important World Cup Under-17 qualifier coming up in Costa Rica shortly,” Edwards said.

  Though reluctant to say which players they have been in contact with, when asked about the possibility of recruiting winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United, Edwards acknowledged the potential impact of securing such a high-profile player.

  Sancho, who has Trinidadian heritage through his mother, has been capped 23 times by the England senior team.

  “If we do get the likes of Jadon Sancho in our outfit, it would only help Trinidad and Tobago football,” Edwards said.

  Meanwhile, Edwards revealed that efforts to organize warm-up games are progressing.

  “We are in final discussions with Saudi Arabia in terms of having that game played, but there is interest from other countries in terms of having games played outside of the (FIFA match-day) window, and I think that’s important for the local group,” he shared.

  “It’s important that we have games for the local group as well as the guys that are playing in the USA and Canada... They would be in their off-season as well... so that we can ensure these guys really stay match fit at that intensity and at that level,” Edwards added.

  Finally, Edwards praised Yorke’s early impact on the programme thus far.

  “I think with coach Dwight Yorke coming in...and having the camp with the local guys, I think that has re-energized the local players and given them the confidence to push on and really represent and be part of this World Cup campaign,” he ended.

• Ancelotti acknowledges that Mbappe is not at his best for Real Madrid

  Real Madrid head coach has come out in support of Kylian Mbappe, who is struggling to reach the high performance levels expected when he joined from Paris Saint-Germain.

  Mbappe missed a second straight penalty on Wednesday in Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, having also had a spot kick saved by Caomhin Kelleher in the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool last week.

  It was another performance from the Frenchman that failed to hit the heights against Bilbao, with Mbappe having scored eight LaLiga goals for the club this season and 10 in all competitions.

  "He is at a lot more than just 1% [of his potential], but he's not at his best," Ancelotti told a press conference.

  "However, we have to give him time to adapt [to Real Madrid]. He has scored 10 goals and is working hard to improve and to do better.

  "I haven't spoken to him yet. It was a complicated, even, hard-fought, competitive game. We missed a penalty, I don't evaluate a player's game because of a missed penalty. Sometimes you score and sometimes you miss. Obviously he's sad, disappointed, but we have to keep going."

  Real Madrid have now lost four of their last seven matches in all competitions and missed the chance to close the gap to leaders Barcelona, who are four points clear on 37 points having played a game more.

  "The match was evenly-matched. Athletic are a very dangerous team, we competed and fought. I think the match was worth a draw," Ancelotti said.

  "But it is what it is. We're still in contention and have to keep fighting. We could have got a better result, but we're here and we have to think about Saturday's game at Girona."