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Does Messi’s monster season matter if Inter Miami don’t win the MLS Cup? (1:16)
Luis Miguel Echegaray says trophies are the only thing that matters to Lionel Messi, with Inter Miami within reach of the record MLS points total. (1:16)
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Lizzy Becherano
Oct 18, 2024, 01:45 PM ET
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Saturday that Inter Miami will take part in the 2025 Club World Cup as the final Major League Soccer competitor.
Infantino made the announcement on the field at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after the Supporters’ Shield winners beat New England Revolution 6-2 to break the MLS record for most points in a single season.
“We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football,” said Infantino. “Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters’ Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play.
“Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States.”
Infantino also announced that Inter Miami will host the inaugural match of the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium on July 15, 2025.
“We are looking forward to you hosting the opening match,” he said. “It’s sure to be a great celebration for global club football as the tournament features the best 32 clubs in the world and provides a new opportunity for clubs, players, coaches and fans alike to take their stories to the world.”
The 2025 Club World Cup will feature 32 clubs from across the globe for the first time, after FIFA chose to expand the tournament from its previous seven-team format. World soccer’s governing body awarded 12 spots to Europe (UEFA), 6 to South America (CONEMBOL), 4 each to North America and the Caribbean (Concacaf), Asia (AFC) and Africa (CAF) and 1 to Oceania (OFC).
Most of the participating teams have already been determined, including Manchester City (2022-23 UEFA Champions League winners) and Real Madrid (2021-22 and 2023-24 UEFA Champions League Winners).
Monterrey (2021 Concacaf Champions Cup), Seattle Sounders (2022 Concacaf Champions Cup), León (2023 Concacaf Champions Cup) and Pachuca (2024 Concacaf Champions Cup) will represent Concacaf.
Concacaf, however, received an additional invite to the tournament given that the United States will serve as host of the Club World Cup.
FIFA reserved the right to choose the final Concacaf participant, awarding the ticket to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winner Inter Miami. MLS commissioner Don Garber revealed during the All-Star game on July 24 that the league could only provide FIFA with suggestions, but would not select the participant.
Lionel Messi will now lead the South Florida side in the international tournament from June 15 to July 13, 2025 in venues across the United States.
FIFA named the 12 host stadiums last month, and also revealed that the final would take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
That venue will be joined by Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, California), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tennessee), Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida), Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, Florida), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Lumen Field (Seattle) and Audi Field (Washington, D.C.).
