Inter Miami Joins 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Inter Miami have received confirmation as one of the teams in the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup which will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 3. This 32-team tournament will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America and 12 teams from Asia, Africa and North America. Additionally, the final two spots will go to one team from Oceania and one from the host nation, the U.S.

Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham secured their place by winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the club with the best regular-season record. This announcement followed Lionel Messi’s hat-trick which helped the team break the MLS regular-season points record. FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised Inter Miami, stating, “You are consistently the best club on the field of play in the United States.”

Furthermore, Inter Miami’s star players including Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez could face European giants like Chelsea and Manchester City, who have already qualified. Other European clubs set to participate include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto and Benfica. The final spot in the competition will go to the 2024 Copa Libertadores winner.

Moreover, matches will take place at eight venues across the U.S. including Inter Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The final will occur at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. However, FIFA’s decision to expand the Club World Cup has faced criticism, particularly from players and clubs as it adds more matches to an already congested calendar.

In response, the European Leagues body and global players’ union Fifpro filed a joint complaint with the European Commission accusing FIFA of “abuse of dominance” in football.  The tournament’s full draw will take place in December. The last edition in 2023 featuring just seven teams was won by Manchester City.