Inter Miami of Messi and the controversial choice for the 2025 Club World Cup

The selection of Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s team, to participate in the 2025 Super Club World Cup has stirred controversy and criticism in the international football scene. The American team, which was awarded one of the 32 spots, was selected by Fifa, sparking questions regarding the criteria used. Fifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed the Miami team’s participation based on their win of the Supporters’ Shield, a symbolic title from the Major League Soccer (MLS), which honors the best team in the regular season.

Criteria and the questioned spot

Typically, teams qualify for the Club World Cup by winning their continental competitions or by being among the top performers in international rankings. However, the case of Inter Miami deviates from this tradition. The team did not secure its place through a continental title or by winning the MLS Cup—the postseason championship. Instead, the team was chosen as the representative of the host country (USA), a practice that has historically granted the spot to the national champion of the host nation.

Fifa had previously mentioned that the details of the host nation’s spot would be clarified throughout the year. When the announcement came, many were surprised by the choice of Inter Miami, leading one international portal to remark, “Lionel Messi in the Club World Cup makes sense, but how he got there does not.” Despite the criticism, Fifa’s decision is largely seen as part of a commercial strategy aimed at boosting the tournament’s appeal.

Messi’s impact and Inter Miami’s numbers

Lionel Messi has had a transformative effect on football in the United States since joining Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar has generated unprecedented interest in MLS, extending far beyond the pitch. Furthermore, Inter Miami’s roster includes other football icons like Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, all of whom contribute to the team’s global appeal.

In the 2024 MLS regular season, Inter Miami performed exceptionally well, earning 74 points and setting a new league record with 22 wins, 8 draws, and 4 losses. This performance secured them the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. However, despite their success, the team still needs to compete in the MLS Cup to claim the ultimate domestic title.

Fifa’s commercial strategy

Fifa’s decision to include Inter Miami is widely viewed as part of its commercial efforts to elevate the visibility of the Club World Cup, which has faced challenges regarding audience numbers and broadcast deals. The inclusion of Messi in the tournament is a clear move to attract broadcasters and sponsors. Gianni Infantino himself acknowledged the importance of Messi’s presence and the role that Inter Miami has played in raising the profile of American football.

“Everyone knows how passionate Miami is about football and how Inter Miami is supported across Florida. Their impressive brand within football cannot be ignored,” Infantino stated in his official announcement, emphasizing the team’s historical regular-season campaign.

Broadcast and sponsorship challenges

Fifa is reportedly facing challenges in securing broadcast rights and sponsorship deals for the 2025 Club World Cup. Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, openly criticized the tournament during a forum of European clubs, highlighting the difficulties Fifa has encountered in meeting its financial expectations for the event. According to Tebas, the tournament has not yet attracted the anticipated level of broadcast deals or sponsorships, and many leagues and players’ unions remain resistant to the tournament.

By including Inter Miami, Fifa is aiming to capitalize on the global appeal of Messi and his teammates, hoping to secure new commercial agreements and reignite interest in the competition.

Confirmed participants for the 2025 Club World Cup

Along with Inter Miami, other top clubs from around the world have already secured their spots in the 2025 Super Club World Cup, including Manchester City, the 2023 Champions League winners, and Real Madrid, the 2022 champions. South American giants like Fluminense, Palmeiras, and Flamengo have also earned their places.

Here are some of the confirmed teams:

• Manchester City (England) – Champions of the 2023 UEFA Champions League
• Real Madrid (Spain) – Champions of the 2022 UEFA Champions League
• Fluminense (Brazil) – 2023 Copa Libertadores champions
• Boca Juniors (Argentina) – Based on Conmebol ranking
• Bayern Munich (Germany) – Based on UEFA ranking
• Paris Saint-Germain (France) – Based on UEFA ranking
• Auckland City (New Zealand) – Based on OFC ranking

International criticism

Despite their inclusion, Inter Miami’s selection for the tournament has faced widespread criticism from fans, pundits, and analysts. One of the main points of contention is that the team has not yet won a major title such as the MLS Cup, and their spot in the tournament is seen by many as commercially motivated, driven by Messi’s marketability. Comparisons to past editions of the Club World Cup, where the host nation’s champion earned the slot, further fuel the debate over the fairness and transparency of Fifa’s selection process.

The future of Inter Miami in the tournament

Regardless of the criticisms, Inter Miami has an opportunity to solidify its standing by winning the MLS Cup, which would strengthen the justification for their participation in the 2025 Club World Cup. The team continues to build a massive following in the United States, thanks in large part to Messi’s influence and the global recognition brought by his fellow teammates.