Here's the World Cup bracket: PSG-Inter Miami and Real Madrid against another heavyweight

Real Madrid practically secured qualification with its victory against Mexican side Pachuca. The draw achieved against Al-Hilal in its debut match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, made it mandatory to get all three points against the Mexican squad... as well as against RB Salzburg next Thursday, June 26.

Given the results of the different groups that make up the participants in this Club World Cup, Real Madrid is starting to learn about its possible opponents in the round of 16. The first place currently held by the team coached by Xabi Alonso in group H would pit it directly against the club in second position in group G. In this case, Manchester City.

The reality is that the Merengue team doesn't have round of 16 matchups against more or less accessible opponents. Now it's the sky blue entity it must face, with one matchday left in the group stage, but the alternative isn't very convincing either: Juventus of Turin.

In any case, Santiago Bernabéu locker room is aware that it will face a team from the European football elite in its first knockout round of the Club World Cup. If it overcomes that stage, current forecasts would pit it against the winner of another round of 16 that draws a lot of attention: Inter Milan against Brazilian Fluminense.

There may be last-minute changes

The only teams definitely qualified are PSG, Botafogo, and Flamengo. Luis Enrique's players are waiting for an opponent in the round of 16, but with the current situation that match would be against Leo Messi's Inter Miami. It will be a match that will bring back many memories for Barcelona fans, considering that Luis Enrique was also a player and coach for the Catalan team.

Botafogo is one of the big surprises of the world tournament, even defeating the current European champion: PSG itself. The seemingly unstoppable Brazilian squad would face a team from its own country: Palmeiras, currently the top team in group A.

Flamengo, the last team definitely qualified for the Club World Cup knockout rounds, would compete for a spot in the quarterfinals against Benfica's Álvaro Carreras. The executives led by Florentino Pérez will follow that match closely to reaffirm their interest in the Spanish left-back, a saga that has become entrenched.

With that, the bracket for the Club World Cup knockout rounds is already starting to take shape. The tournament organized by FIFA has become a true event from the very first matchday for the clubs: the incentives to win are more than considerable.