Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, has qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following its triumph in the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the news, recognizing Miami as the best team in the MLS regular season. The 2025 edition will feature an expanded 32-team format, and Inter Miami is set to host the tournament’s opening game at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. This qualification positions the club among the world’s elite, marking a milestone for the team and Major League Soccer.
The tournament, which will take place in June and July 2025 across multiple U.S. cities, offers Inter Miami an opportunity to compete with top clubs from across the globe. Though not crowned MLS champions, Inter Miami’s exceptional performance in the regular season earned them a prestigious spot, with Infantino praising their record-breaking campaign.
As the Club World Cup nears, Messi’s presence in the tournament is expected to generate global attention, boosting FIFA’s broadcasting efforts and drawing millions of fans to the opening game in Miami. Alongside Inter Miami, other top clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Real Madrid will be part of this historic competition.
This qualification further highlights Messi’s transformative impact on the club, following his mid-season arrival in 2023, and signifies a new chapter for soccer in the U.S.
