The MLS host team for the Club World Cup is reportedly set. Fresh off of winning the Supporters’ Shield, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have been chosen as MLS’ representative alongside the Seattle Sounders who qualified due to winning the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2022. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the news following Inter Miami’s match against the New England revolution where the Herons also celebrated breaking the MLS single season points record.
“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,” Infantino said. “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.”
The 2025 newly expanded edition of the tournament will take place in the United States with 32 teams from around the world competing for the title. Concacaf has four slots for the tournament and they’re handed to winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup for the last four seasons. Miami will qualify via the hosts spot instead of the reigning MLS champions and Concacaf Champions Cup runners up, the Columbus Crew. This will provide Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba with another chance to face off against Real Madrid along with some of the worlds best clubs.
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According to rule, the final participant was chosen by FIFA and not Major League Soccer, but the league could provide suggestions. With Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium as one of the venues for the tournament, Messi will likely get to play a match in Inter Miami’s back yard as well.
The tournament will take place from June 15 to July 13 2025 and the other venues are MetLife Stadium, Audi Field, Lincoln Financial Field, Camping World Stadium, Geodis Park, TQL Stadium, Lumen Field, Rose Bowl Stadium, Mercedes Benz Stadium, Bank of America Stadium and Inter& Co Stadium.
12 UEFA clubs will take part alongside six CONMEBOL teams, Four AFC, Concacaf, and CAF teams and one OFC side. 31 of the 32 teams participating are confirmed with the final spot going to the winner of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores. Once that is complete, the draw for groups will be in December of 2024.
