Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to compete in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup after booking their slot in the 32-team competition.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed their participation during the victory celebration after their Supporters Shield triumph. Messi’s team will kick off the tournament on Sunday, June 15, at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
The celebrations followed Inter Miami’s 6-2 win over the New England Revolution with Argentine’s hattrick also helping his club set a new MLS regular season points record. David Beckham-owned team could now face the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich among a host of others.
The Club World Cup next year will feature an expanded format with 32 teams participating instead of the usual 7 with slots reserved for 4 teams from Africa, 4 from Asia, 12 from Europe, 4 for CONCACAF teams, 1 for Oceania, 6 from South America and 1 host team.
Inter Miami will be joined by Al Ahly (EGY), Wydad (MAR), ES Tunis (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Al Hilal (KSA), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Al Ain (UAE), Ulsan HD FC (KOR), Chelsea (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP), Manchester City, Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Inter Milan (ITA), Porto (POR), Benfica (POR), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Juventus (ITA), Atletico Madrid (ESP), FC Salzburg (AUT), Monterrey (MEX), Seattle Sounders (USA), Club Leon (MEX), Pachuca (MEX), Auckland City (NZL), Palmeiras (BRA), Flamengo (BRA), Fluminense (BRA), River Plate (ARG), Boca Juniors (ARG) in the tournament.
While the official MLS champions are determined by the playoffs, which start next week and conclude with the MLS Cup final on December 7, FIFA’s decision to include the regular season winners ensures Messi’s participation in the tournament which is likely to provide a significant boost to the global appeal of the revamped competition, which FIFA hopes will resonate with fans worldwide, particularly as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has already faced backlash for expanding the tournament with the players’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues body recently filing a joint complaint to the European Commission, criticizing the tournament’s addition to the already congested international calendar.
Manchester City will defend its crown when the competition kicks off next year.