Road to FCWC: Inter meet the Urawa Red Diamonds

The first ever edition of the prestigious international tournament, the FIFA Club World Cup, is fast approaching and will take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July. After the Milano leg of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Trophy Tour, which saw the tournament trophy on display in Piazza Duomo and at San Siro, Inter met with Urawa Red Diamonds, one of the opponents the Nerazzurri will face in the first phase of the Club World Cup, along with Monterrey and River Plate, who are in Group E with Inzaghi's team.

Two months before the start of the spectacular tournament that will see the best teams in the world face off, former Nerazzurri footballer Mana Mihashi and Inter Academy Tokyo were the stars of digital and onsite activities together with the Saitama-based team in Japan, which plays in the J1 League and will face Inter in the second match of the international competition at Lumen Field in Seattle on 21 June. There were many activities and meetings involving important local stakeholders, also following the launch of the initiative in the country, which began with the 2023 Summer Tour.

On Monday 14 April, former Inter Women player Mana Mihashi met Urawa Reds Ladies' No. 10, Kozue Ando, 2011 Women's World Cup winner, for a meeting and a discussion on women's football.

Two days later, a delegation of around 80 people from Inter Academy Tokyo was hosted by Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium 2002. On this occasion, the Academy players had the privilege of meeting Urawa Reds legend Hideki Uchidate and then watching the match against Kyoto FC, which was won by the home side.

Finally, on 19 April, Inter Academy Tokyo hosted a joint training session with the Urawa Reds' Under 10 and 11 teams at their sports ground in Fuchu. It was a special occasion that saw the two clubs share a moment of connection and mutual exchange ahead of the CWC25, which will kick off this June.