Messi’s Inter Miami to play in FIFA Club World Cup
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to make headlines in the upcoming expanded FIFA Club World Cup, as announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday.
The tournament will kick off with Messi and his teammates in the opening match at Hard Rock Stadium, the home ground of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, on Sunday, June 15.
Infantino made the announcement on the field at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium, moments after Messi showcased his remarkable skills by scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution.
This impressive performance not only thrilled fans but also contributed to Miami’s historic achievement of breaking the MLS regular-season points record.
Inter Miami, who recently clinched Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield for having the best regular-season record, earned their qualification slot as the host nation representative.
“Inter Miami qualifies as the host country representative team on the basis of the club’s outstanding and consistent 34-match campaign that saw them secure the shield with two MLS matches to play,” FIFA stated in a press release.
While the official MLS champions will be determined through the playoffs starting next week, concluding with the final on December 7, Miami stands as the favorite to emerge victorious.
The decision to include the regular-season winners guarantees Messi’s participation, adding significant star power to the tournament.
Messi’s presence in this new tournament format is seen as a critical factor in elevating the competition’s profile.
FIFA hopes to attract a global television audience and engage fans in the United States, especially in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in North America.
This tournament marks a significant moment for Messi, who could face top European clubs for the first time since leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Miami last year.
The 32-team tournament will include title-winning clubs from FIFA’s continental confederations. Notable European clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich are among the 12 teams that have already qualified.
South America will be represented by renowned teams like Argentina’s River Plate and Boca Juniors, along with Brazil’s Flamengo, among six other South American clubs.
Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, FIFA has yet to announce broadcast deals or sponsorship contracts, and the competition has faced criticism from various factions within the football community.
Notably, players’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues body have lodged a joint complaint with the European Commission against FIFA, opposing the introduction of this tournament into the already crowded international match calendar.
Critics argue that it further complicates an already congested schedule and places additional demands on players.
The previous iteration of the Club World Cup featured seven teams competing in a knockout format, with Manchester City emerging victorious after defeating Brazil’s Fluminense in the final held in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA aims to host the expanded tournament every four years, although a host for the 2029 edition has not yet been determined.
