Arsene Wenger was present at the draw for the FIFA Club World Cup next summer
The former Arsenal boss broke into dance live on TV after some encouragement
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By WILL PICKWORTH
Published: 16:05 EST, 5 December 2024 | Updated: 16:05 EST, 5 December 2024
Arsene Wenger was bizarrely forced to dance live on TV during the FIFA Club World Cup draw.
The former Arsenal boss is now FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development and was present in Miami as the countdown to the new competition continues.
32 teams are set to take part in it next summer, with Chelsea and Manchester City the two English representatives.
The expanded competition will run from June 15 to July 13 across 12 venues in 11 cities in the USA.
And, while the draw took place on Thursday evening, Wenger left fans bemused as the Frenchman showed off his dance moves.
As the broadcast of the draw moved to the downtown Miami studio, host Ana Jurka introduced several of the guests including Latin pop star Vikina.
Arsene Wenger was bizarrely forced to dance live on TV during the FIFA Club World Cup draw
Wenger originally pretended to run away when he was urged to dance by the TV host
After some encouragement, Wenger showed his moves as fans were left extremely bemused
She broke into dance, before Jurka then urged Wenger to join in, as she added: 'Mister come here, you promised me.'
Wenger jokingly attempted to run away, before he ultimately decided to head over.
Wenger then burst into some rather awkward-looking moves alongside a couple of other guests, before he quickly stopped.
And fans couldn't quite believe what they had seen as they look to social media to express their astonishment
One said: 'This draw is painful to watch. Ridiculous amount of video packages, OTT dialogue after each draw and cringe dancing with Arsene Wenger. Just do the bloody draw.'
A second added: 'Wenger, what are you doing…,' before a further chimed in with: 'Arsene Wenger is now being forced to dance. God, this whole thing has been horrific.'
Another said: 'Cringing watching the hosts make Arsene Wenger dance on stage at the FIFA Club World Cup draw...'
Fans were also left confused by Donald Trump making an appearance at the draw for the tournament, which has proven to be controversial given the fact it is adding to an already congested footballing calendar.
Wenger was present at the draw given he is FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development
Fans took to social media to express their confusion and shock at the Frenchman's actions
In terms of the draw itself, Man City will face Juventus, Moroccan side Wydad AC and UAE outfit Al Ain in the group stage.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been joined in Group D by Flamengo, Mexican side Club Leon and Tunisia's Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will feature in the tournament's opening match against Egyptian side Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium. The teams are joined by Palmeiras and Porto in Group A.
Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid meet in the headline match in Group B, with the sides joined by newly crowned Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo and MLS side Seattle Sounders.
Bayern Munich will also meet European opponents in the group stage after being drawn with Benfica, along with South American giants Boca Juniors and New Zealand’s Auckland City.
Italian champions Inter Milan face River Plate, Monterrey and Urawa Red Diamonds in Group E, while Borussia Dortmund meet Fluminense, Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns in Group F.
Reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid could meet an old foe in Neymar, having been drawn against the former Barcelona star’s side Al-Hilal in Group H.
The Spanish giants and Saudi Arabian side will also meet Pachuca of Mexico and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the round of 16.