Inter Miami will participate in the 2025 Club World Cup despite not having won their domestic league or a major international trophy since their founding in 2018. With Lionel Messi leading the team, FIFA granted the club entry based on their Supporters’ Shield win and to represent the host nation as the tournament kicks off shortly in Miami, Florida.
Since Inter Miami’s establishment in January 2018, the club has secured a Leagues Cup title and earned the Supporters’ Shield, an award given to the MLS team with the best regular-season record before playoffs. These achievements were enough for FIFA to include Inter Miami among the 32 teams in the 2025 competition. The decision also coincides with the club’s high-profile roster, featuring Lionel Messi, one of football’s greatest talents.
Adding to the star power, Inter Miami is co-owned by David Beckham, and several former Barcelona stars from the club’s celebrated 2015 treble-winning squad—Javier Mascherano now coaches alongside players like Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Despite an impressive 2024 MLS regular season, Inter Miami’s playoff run was cut short in the first round by Atlanta United, who went on to become MLS Cup champions. LA Galaxy eventually claimed the MLS Cup title that year.
Host teams often receive a Club World Cup spot, such as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad in 2023. In 2025, the United States will have three representatives: Seattle Sounders, who won the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League; Los Angeles FC, runners-up in 2023; and Inter Miami. This multi-club presence reflects the league’s growing prominence, despite Inter Miami’s early playoff exit.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the consistency of the MLS in international play when announcing Inter Miami’s qualification:
“You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play,”
and continued,
“Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new Fifa Club World Cup 2025.”
—Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
FIFA clarified that the Supporters’ Shield winner would represent the host nation, a decision made to highlight league performance rather than knockout results. While Inter Miami fell early in the playoffs, their regular-season success secured their place, differentiating them from most other qualifiers who earned spots through knockout tournament victories.
Paths to Qualification for Other Competitors
Half of the Club World Cup teams earned their spots by winning key continental tournaments between 2021 and 2024, progressing naturally to the international stage. One notable absence is 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winner Club León, who were excluded due to ownership conflicts with Pachuca, another tournament participant. This led to a playoff match between Los Angeles FC and Club América, where LAFC advanced.
Oceania’s selection process is somewhat different, reserving a place for the best performing Champions League winner, a position Auckland City has held for the last three years. Other continental federations contribute clubs based not only on championships but also on performance amongst non-champions. For example, Asia has qualified one such team, while Africa, despite Al Ahly’s dominance with three CAF Champions League wins over four years, added Esperance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns to the field.
The European and South American lineup is more complex. FIFA’s March 2023 decision limits each nation to two representatives unless both are continental champions. Brazil’s recent Copa Libertadores dominance meant Atletico Mineiro, despite deep runs in recent tournaments, lost out to Argentina’s River Plate and Boca Juniors. Similarly, English club Liverpool missed out after Manchester City and Chelsea qualified by winning the Champions League. Spain’s Barcelona, while ranking well, failed to secure a spot over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the latter being 2024 champions.
Details for the Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami Match
- Date: Saturday, June 14
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
- Live stream: DAZN
- Odds: Al Ahly +210; Draw +250; Inter Miami +110
The opening match of the tournament will pitch Inter Miami against African powerhouse Al Ahly. Fans can watch the game live on DAZN, where the entire 2025 Club World Cup will be streamed. Betting odds slightly favor Inter Miami, reflecting their star-studded lineup and home advantage, but Al Ahly’s strong continental record poses a significant challenge.
As the tournament progresses, the presence of multiple U.S.-based teams, including title contenders Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC, marks a notable rise of North American soccer on the world stage. Inter Miami’s participation, spearheaded by Lionel Messi and supported by renowned former players and owners, highlights how MLS is positioning itself as a global competitor, despite relative youth and limited major trophies.
The 2025 Club World Cup offers Inter Miami a chance to prove their mettle against international champions, potentially redefining their status in global football. How the Herons perform could influence perceptions of MLS clubs’ competitiveness and the evolving dynamics within world football’s elite competitions.