Inter Miami, led by soccer legend Lionel Messi, is set to join the prestigious lineup of global clubs in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The South Florida-based team will compete alongside heavyweights like Manchester City and Real Madrid, marking a new chapter in the team’s history. The expanded tournament will be hosted across multiple venues in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, with Inter Miami representing Major League Soccer (MLS) on the world stage.
According to reports from ESPN, Inter Miami has secured the last MLS spot for this highly anticipated competition. This selection follows FIFA’s decision to grant the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) an additional slot in the tournament as the host nation. While MLS did not directly choose which team would fill the spot, the league provided FIFA with potential candidates, leaving the final decision to the global soccer body. ESPN reported that Inter Miami, as the winner of the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, would claim this opportunity.
For the first time, the FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 teams, a significant expansion from the previous format of just seven teams. The tournament will include 12 spots for European clubs (UEFA), six for South American teams (CONMEBOL), and four each for teams from North America and the Caribbean (Concacaf), Asia (AFC), and Africa (CAF). The remaining spot is reserved for Oceania (OFC). This change in format aims to elevate the competition, bringing together top clubs from every corner of the globe.
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Among the confirmed participants are Manchester City, who earned their place as the 2022-23 Champions League winners, and Real Madrid, having secured their spots by winning both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 Champions League titles. Inter Miami will now join these European giants in a bid for global supremacy, with Messi at the helm. The team’s presence in the competition is expected to draw significant attention, particularly as it marks the first time an MLS club will compete under the new expanded format.
FIFA’s decision to award Inter Miami this opportunity comes as a boost to both the club and its fanbase. “Having Inter Miami participate in the Club World Cup is a historic moment for our team and a proud milestone for our supporters,” a club representative commented. Messi’s leadership has been instrumental in Inter Miami’s rise, making the team a strong contender in the upcoming global showdown.
Before focusing on the Club World Cup, Messi and his teammates are preparing for their next MLS match against the New England Revolution. The game is set for Saturday, and Inter Miami is currently at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The team is aiming to set a new record with the most points in a league campaign, targeting a total of 74 points. As the season progresses, fans are eagerly watching Messi’s impact on the field and the continued growth of the club under his influence.