Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to compete in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup, having earned their place in the 32-team tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed their participation during celebrations following their Supporters Shield victory. The tournament will kick off on June 15, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
The celebrations were fueled by Inter Miami’s dominant 6-2 win over the New England Revolution, where Messi’s hat-trick also helped his team break the MLS regular season points record. David Beckham’s Inter Miami could face football giants such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich in the competition.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature an expanded format, with 32 teams competing instead of the usual seven. These teams include four from Africa, four from Asia, twelve from Europe, four from CONCACAF, one from Oceania, six from South America, and one host team.
Inter Miami will be joined by teams such as Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad (Morocco), ES Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (UAE), Ulsan HD FC (South Korea), Chelsea (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Manchester City (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Inter Milan (Italy), Porto (Portugal), Benfica (Portugal), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Juventus (Italy), Atletico Madrid (Spain), FC Salzburg (Austria), Monterrey (Mexico), Seattle Sounders (USA), Club Leon (Mexico), Pachuca (Mexico), Auckland City (New Zealand), Palmeiras (Brazil), Flamengo (Brazil), Fluminense (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina), and Boca Juniors (Argentina).
While MLS champions will be determined in the upcoming playoffs, the decision to include the Supporters Shield winners guarantees Messi’s participation. This move is expected to boost the tournament’s global appeal as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
However, FIFA’s expansion of the tournament has been met with criticism, with the players’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues body filing a joint complaint, arguing the congested international calendar.
Manchester City will defend their title when the tournament kicks off next year.
