Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates are set to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, as announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, on August 15, 2023.
The tournament will kick off on Sunday, June 15, at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Inter Miami, having secured the Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield this month for the best regular-season record, will represent the host nation in the competition.
Infantino made the announcement at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium, moments after Messi’s spectacular hat-trick led to a 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution, breaking the MLS regular season points record.
Major League Soccer: Lionel Messi, left, shakes hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino
FIFA confirmed Inter Miami’s qualification in an official statement, citing the club’s remarkable and consistent 34-match campaign. The statement read, “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.”
The MLS Cup playoffs, set to begin next week and conclude with the final on December 7, will determine the official champions of Major League Soccer.
The 32-team tournament will feature top clubs from each of FIFA’s continental confederations, potentially setting up matches between Messi and top European clubs for the first time since his departure from Paris Saint-Germain last year. Notable qualifiers include European giants Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, alongside South American powerhouses River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Flamengo.
The last edition of the Club World Cup featured seven teams in a knockout format and was won by Manchester City, who defeated Brazil’s Fluminense in the final held in Saudi Arabia. FIFA plans to hold the expanded tournament every four years, though the host for the 2029 edition has yet to be decided.
Lionel Messi And His Inter Miami Teammates
Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying tournament with some of the world’s best clubs and players vying for the prestigious title.