Oct 20, V7N - Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will participate in next year's expanded FIFA Club World Cup, as announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday. The tournament will begin on June 15, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with Inter Miami, as the host nation's representative, playing the opening match. This selection is based on the team's outstanding performance in Major League Soccer (MLS), where they secured the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record.

Messi's involvement in the 32-team tournament is expected to boost its profile. The competition will feature top teams from around the world, including European champions like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, as well as South American powerhouses River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Flamengo. The expanded Club World Cup will now take place every four years, and this edition will be the first under the new format.

While FIFA has yet to announce broadcast deals, the inclusion of Messi and other top teams will likely draw significant global attention. However, there has been some opposition to the tournament due to concerns about increasing player workload and congested schedules, with the European Leagues and FIFpro filing a complaint to the European Commission over its introduction into the international match calendar.

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