Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will compete in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as the host country’s team, despite the MLS championship not being decided yet. FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded Miami the Supporters’ Shield and praised Messi’s performance. The tournament, featuring 32 teams for the first time, aims to boost media rights sales, with Messi as a key attraction. However, the expansion has drawn criticism from players’ unions and national leagues over the increased match workload.
Lionel Messi and his team, Inter Miami, have received the green light to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup. Although the MLS championship title is yet to be decided, FIFA has emphasized the importance of Messi for commercial purposes.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a special appearance to congratulate Messi, stating, “Your remarkable performance this year has earned you a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” as he addressed the crowd after Miami was honored with the Supporters’ Shield for being the highest-scoring team in Major League Soccer (MLS) prior to the playoffs.
Traditionally, the national champion of the host country secured a qualification spot for the Club World Cup, which featured seven teams in previous editions. However, with the US league’s champion not being crowned until December, FIFA decided to expedite the process and officially announced Miami’s qualification ahead of time.
Qualification Details Revealed
FIFA previously disclosed the qualification criteria for the 31 other teams participating in the Club World Cup. Each continent’s top competitions, like UEFA’s Champions League, determined the qualifying teams. For North America, the Seattle Sounders, who won the North American Champions League, secured their spot.
FIFA has officially recognized Lionel Messi and Inter Miami as the host team from the USA for the 2025 Club World Cup. This leaves only one slot remaining for a South American team, while prominent European teams like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are already confirmed as participants.
Despite FIFA promising “further details” concerning the host country’s allocation, the precise method of qualification was only made public during the award ceremony. Infantino remarked, “It was an exhilarating moment to share the news with Inter Miami fans that they have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup.”
For Infantino and FIFA, Inter Miami’s inclusion is a timely and strategic move, largely due to Lionel Messi’s star power.
Messi’s Star Power Increases Appeal
The inaugural match of the Club World Cup will take place in Miami on June 15, 2025, featuring Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Messi’s presence is expected to significantly enhance the tournament’s allure, particularly as FIFA has struggled to attract interest from broadcasters and sponsors.
Attempts by FIFA to secure a global deal for TV rights with Apple TV did not succeed, leading to a shift towards regional auctions for broadcast rights. Following a tender announcement for Europe on August 27, FIFA described this tournament as “a new era in club soccer.” Unfortunately, bids have reportedly fallen short of FIFA’s expectations, prompting Infantino to convene a special meeting with potential broadcasters to drive interest in the tournament.
The 2025 Club World Cup will be the first edition to feature 32 teams, yet many logistical details remain unclear, including the venues, sponsors, and broadcasting partners.
European clubs are generally optimistic about the tournament. Bayern Munich’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen stated to Sportschau, “We’re pleased to have qualified, and our players are equally excited—we fully support this Club World Cup.” Borussia Dortmund’s managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke voiced similar support. However, this enthusiasm is accompanied by financial expectations from FIFA, which has guaranteed $50 million in entry fees to the participating clubs.
Lack of Key Clubs and Player Discontent
With the conclusion of the regional broadcast auctions approaching, the addition of Messi serves as a significant promotional asset alongside major clubs from Europe and South America.
In September, FIFA announced the venues for the matches, with the group stage draw scheduled for December. The tournament format will mirror that of the national team World Cup, featuring eight groups of four followed by knockout rounds for the top 16 teams.
Concerns from Players’ Unions and National Leagues
However, the tournament has faced criticism from players’ unions and national leagues. The expansion of competitions like the Club World Cup has increased the strain on players at the highest levels, leading some to threaten strikes. National leagues now confront heightened competition from FIFA for lucrative TV deals.
Recently, players’ unions initiated legal action against FIFA, claiming inadequate representation in scheduling matters, a position FIFA has disputed. The relentless match schedule is taking a toll on athletes, with the players’ union FIFPro warning of significant repercussions on their physical and mental well-being.