Messi to Play in the New Club World Cup Following Inter Miami's Invitation to the Tournament

Inter Miami, Leo Messi's team, has been officially invited to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The competition, which will feature 32 teams for the first time, will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13 next year. The tournament will open at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with Messi's team hosting the event.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the announcement after Inter Miami's last regular season match, held at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Infantino praised the club's performance in the regular MLS season, where it won the 2024 Supporters Shield with 74 points, and highlighted Messi's contribution, who scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists in 19 matches.

"Messi's presence is a great commercial boost for the tournament," Infantino stated. He also congratulated the team for its vibrant playing style, which has captivated fans not only in Florida but throughout the United States. According to the tournament's statutes, FIFA has the authority to invite a team from the host country, and Inter Miami has been chosen for its excellent performance.

The 2025 Club World Cup will be the most inclusive to date, bringing together teams from around the world. With the inclusion of Inter Miami, 31 clubs have already qualified, leaving only one spot available for the champion of the Copa Libertadores final, which will be contested by Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo (Brazil), Peñarol (Uruguay), and Olimpia (Paraguay).

UEFA: Chelsea (2021 Champions League winner), Real Madrid (champion in 2022 and 2024), and Manchester City (2023 champion), along with Atlético de Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Benfica, Juventus, and Red Bull Salzburg, which entered based on their UEFA ranking.

CONMEBOL: Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Fluminense, the last three Copa Libertadores champions, along with Boca Juniors and River Plate, qualified based on their points in the historical ranking.

CONCACAF: Rayados de Monterrey, León, and Pachuca (Mexico), as well as Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami (United States).

AFC: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), and Al Ain (United Arab Emirates, 2024 Asian Champions League winner).