Lionel Messi and his MLS squad Inter Miami are set to make waves as they open the Club World Cup against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. The stage is set in the U.S., with a tournament sprawl featuring 12 stadiums across 11 cities, kicking off on June 15 and wrapping up with the crowning finale at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford on July 13, as per U.S. News & World Report.

Inter Miami's entry into the ranks of international football giants such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain has stirred controversy, particularly after their early playoff exit despite dominating the regular season. Defending the team's spot in the competition was Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas, who claimed "There's no controversy," in a statement obtained by WSVN.

The Club World Cup is showcasing a traditional 32-team format, an echo of the 1998-2022 World Cup layout. Teams are divided into eight groups, and the goal is straightforward: finish in the top two and punch your ticket to the knockout stages. Europe and South America dominate the seeding, but spots are well-distributed globally, with Africa, Asia, North America, and even Oceania on the board.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber, concerned with the optics of a global showcase, argued, "There is no rule that said the MLS Cup winner needs to be in the Club World Cup," according to a U.S. News & World Report interview. Mas then asserted the opening game's symbolic significance, claiming it as "a testament to our community, the soccer culture that's here," in a statement to WSVN.

"Who would have told us five years ago, with no club, that we'd be here today at a draw with the best teams in the world," Mas mused about Inter Miami's journey from nonexistence to hosting a global soccer event, as per WSVN’s coverage.