Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will participate in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup next year, as announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday.
Infantino confirmed that Miami, led by Messi, will kick off the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The announcement was made on the field at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium, shortly after Messi scored a hat-trick in a record-breaking 6-2 win over the New England Revolution, setting the MLS regular season points record.
Miami, having secured the Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record, will represent the host nation in the tournament. “Inter Miami qualifies as the host country representative team on the basis of the club’s outstanding and consistent 34-match campaign that saw them secure the shield with two MLS matches to play,” FIFA said in a statement.
While the official MLS champions will be decided in the playoffs beginning next week and concluding on December 7, FIFA’s decision ensures Messi’s participation regardless of the playoff outcome. The involvement of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to significantly boost the profile of the revamped competition, which FIFA hopes will engage a global audience and US fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The 32-team tournament will feature title-winning teams from FIFA’s continental confederations, including European giants Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. South American teams such as River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Flamengo are also set to compete.
This tournament could see Messi face top European club teams for the first time since his departure from Paris Saint-Germain to join Miami. The expanded Club World Cup, held every four years, aims to elevate club football on a global stage.
However, the tournament has not been without controversy. Players’ union FIFpro and the European Leagues body have jointly lodged a complaint with the European Commission, arguing that the competition adds strain to an already congested match calendar and increases players’ workloads.
The previous edition of the Club World Cup, featuring seven teams in a knockout format, saw Manchester City triumph over Brazil’s Fluminense in the final held in Saudi Arabia. FIFA has yet to announce the host for the 2029 edition.