Inter Miami has been named the MLS participant in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the U.S. from June 15 to July 3. The tournament features 32 teams, with spots allocated to clubs from various confederations. Following their MLS Supporters Shield win, Inter Miami’s participation follows Messi’s hat-trick performance. The expansion of the tournament has faced criticism due to scheduling concerns.
Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, has been confirmed as the Major League Soccer (MLS) representative for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The expanded tournament will feature 32 teams and take place in the United States from June 15 to July 3, 2025. The field will consist of 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and 12 from Asia, Africa, and North America. The final two spots will go to one club from Oceania and one from the United States.
The qualification for Inter Miami comes after the club won the MLS Supporters Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record. This announcement follows Lionel Messi’s impressive performance, including a hat-trick that helped break the MLS points record for a season. FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Inter Miami’s achievements, stating they have proven to be a top club in the U.S.
Prominent European clubs already set to compete include Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto, and Benfica. The 32nd spot in the tournament will be determined by the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores. Matches are scheduled across eight venues in the U.S., including Inter Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with the final held at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
The decision to expand the tournament has sparked criticism from various clubs and player associations. Concerns have been raised over FIFA’s growing influence and the congested schedule resulting from the expansion, especially following UEFA’s recent increases to Champions League fixtures. In July, a joint complaint was filed by the global players’ union Fifpro and the European Leagues body to the European Commission, addressing these governance issues.
The previous FIFA Club World Cup, held in 2023, featured seven teams from six confederations, ultimately won by Manchester City. The complete draw for the upcoming Club World Cup will take place in December as teams prepare for this highly anticipated tournament.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
