Juventus are set to make their Club World Cup debut, but did feature in three Intercontinental Cups, beaten by Independiente in 1973, before enjoying victories over Argentinos Juniors in 1985 and River Plate 11 years later.
Al Ain meantime impressed during their one and only previous outing in this competition to date, ousting Team Wellington, Espérance Sportive de Tunis and then River Plate en route to the final, before being smashed 4-1 by Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi back in 2018.
Al Ain vs Juventus preview
Will Juventus make a winning start to their first-ever Club World Cup campaign? La Vecchia Signora are two-times European champions, winning the Champions League in '85 and '96, but they also hold the record for most European Cup defeats, losing seven in total, five of which have come since their most-recent triumph. Right now, I Bianconeri are enduring something of a down period, having not won Serie A since 2020, sneaking into fourth place by virtue of victory at Venezia on the final day.
After Thiago Motta was sacked in March, following just 42 matches in charge, Igor Tudor was appointed on a short-term contract, but impressed to such an extent that he will remain in charge this summer, hoping that his team can continue their impressive form stateside. Juve are fully expected to get through the group stages, facing Wydad Casablanca and then Manchester City after this, so will they make a winning start in Washington, DC?
As for Al Ain, they qualified by winning the AFC Champions League just over a year ago, crowned Asian champions for the second time, 21 years on from their maiden title. However, since then, they've endured a miserable 12 months, sacking manager Hernán Crespo, with Vladimir Ivić now in charge, finishing down in fifth in this season's UAE Pro League, 19 points adrift the champions.
Meantime, in the most-recent AFC Champions League, Al Ain ended up bottom of the West Region league phase table, collecting just two points from eight fixtures, while also being demolished 3-0 by Al Ahly in last October's FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Cairo. Thus, very little is expected of this team in the United States this summer, with Juventus overwhelming favourites to prevail at Audi Field.
Al Ain vs Juventus head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Al Ain team news
Former Sporting, Wolves, Roma and Atalanta goalkeeper Rui Patrício will debut for Al Ain in DC, having joined ahead of this tournament. There could also be debuts for new centre-backs Marcel Ratnik and Rami Rabia, who've arrived from Olimpija Ljubljana and Al Ahly respectively, as well as winger Nassim Chadli, who's joined from Wydad AC, who they'll face in eight night's time.
On a side not, Argentine forward Gino Infantino might be particularly popular with the FIFA president.
Al Ain predicted lineup vs Juventus: (5-3-2): Patrício; Jašić, Rabia, Ratnik, Autonne, Erik; Al-Baloushi, Nader, Kaku; Laba, Rahimi.
Al Ain player to watch vs Juventus
Striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba is Al Ain's main man for goals, having scored 140 times in 180 appearances for the club, 22 of which came this season.
Juventus team news
It'll be interesting to see what formation Igor Tudor goes with, having switched between a back three and four since being appointed in March.
Defender Renato Veiga's loan from Chelsea was not extended for this tournament, but he hasn't been included in the Blues squad either, bizarre, so Pierre Kalulu will partner Lloyd Kelly at the back.
Juventus predicted lineup vs Al Ain: (4-3-3): Di Gregorio; Costa, Kalulu, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, McKennie, González, Conceição, Yıldız; Vlahović.
Juventus player to watch vs Al Ain
Only one Juventus player reached double figures for goals this season and that is Dušan Vlahović, although the form of Randal Kolo Muani means he is not even guaranteed to start, so the Serbian has a point to prove.
Al Ain vs Juventus prediction
A routine Juventus victory is expected at Audi Field. This is far from a vintage I Bianconeri team, but they should still swat Al Ain aside in Capital City on Wednesday night: Al Ain 0-2 Juventus.
Al Ain vs Juventus FAQs - FIFA Club World Cup
How to watch Al Ain vs Juventus FIFA Club World Cup game on TV channel?
Al Ain vs Juventus FIFA Club World Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: DAZN UK
- USA: DAZN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Al Ain vs Juventus FIFA Club World Cup game on live streaming?
Al Ain vs Juventus FIFA Club World Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: DAZN UK
- USA: DAZN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Al Ain vs Juventus in the FIFA Club World Cup?
Al Ain vs Juventus takes place on Wednesday 18 June 2025, with kick off at 2:00am (BST), 21:00 (EDT) & 18:00 (PDT).