It's official: Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer team that parades Lionel Messi as its crowning jewel, is set to light up the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup stage. According to a report by CBS News Miami, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the club's participation in a ceremony following the team's record-breaking regular season victory.
Inter Miami will not only feature in the tournament but also kick it off as the opening act at the Hard Rock Stadium come June 15, 2025. "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 as the host club representing the United States," Infantino elaborated to quickly solidify the decision amidst confetti and fans chanting their victory, as reported by CBS News Miami.
Adding to their roster of accolades, Inter Miami claimed the MLS Supporters' Shield thanks to their commendable regular-season performance, as per details provided by USA Today. This achievement was aided by Messi's 11-minute hat trick that fueled a 6-2 thrashing of the New England Revolution, a fitting crescendo to their regular-season campaign and likely a weighty factor in FIFA’s selection process.
Inter Miami's success and Messi's unrivaled appeal have made them a top choice for FIFA's Club World Cup host bid. It was clear that FIFA made the selection unilaterally, as they stated, "Details regarding the host slot allocation will be announced in due course." Infantino further emphasized the club's and city's impact on football culture by stating, "We all know how Miami is in love with football, and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football," highlighting their significance in the footballing landscape, as noted by USA Today.
The month-long tourney is positioned to feature a global mix of football's elite, with European powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich lining up against top clubs from across FIFA's six confederations. Meanwhile, MetLife Stadium awaits to host the final showpiece on July 13, 2025, underscoring the event’s magnitude, which also provides a preview of the 2026 World Cup final venue.
The path to the Club World Cup has been anything but straightforward for Inter Miami, assembling a remarkable run to snag the host country's representative berth. As mentioned by CBS News Miami, the team broke Major League Soccer's record for most points in a regular season with an imposing 74-point tally. This only leaves one spot up for grabs, to be snapped up at the CONMEBOL Libertadores final in November, effectively making Inter Miami the penultimate piece of the Club World Cup puzzle.
