Inter Miami have never lifted the MLS Cup, yet they’ve somehow secured a spot in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup — joining a lineup of 32 elite clubs from around the globe. Their inclusion has sparked quite a bit of controversy, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. So how did a team without a domestic league title end up on world football’s biggest club stage?
The Tournament Structure
The revamped Club World Cup features 32 teams:
4 from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
4 from the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
4 from CONCACAF (excluding Inter Miami)
6 from CONMEBOL
1 from Oceania
12 from UEFA
Plus one final wildcard slot
That last spot? It went to Inter Miami.
FIFA's Convenient Choice
According to ESPN, FIFA granted itself the authority to select the final team, often considering recommendations from the host nation. It’s no surprise then that Inter Miami — a relatively young club founded in 2018 — was chosen to represent the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino tried to justify the decision by stating, “You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play.” He added that the club "deserved" their place as the host nation's representative in the 2025 edition of the tournament.
But let’s be honest — Inter Miami’s meteoric rise owes a lot to one man: Lionel Messi. His arrival not only transformed the team on the pitch but also turned it into a global marketing powerhouse. For FIFA, having Messi in the Club World Cup is a surefire way to boost interest in a tournament that typically struggles to capture worldwide attention.
A Question of Merit
What makes this controversial is the fact that Inter Miami are the only team in the competition that hasn't won their domestic league. In fact, as of this writing, they sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings — far from dominating.
Still, co-owner Jorge Mas downplayed the backlash, saying, “There's no controversy. One of our goals for 2024 was to qualify for the Club World Cup.” That’s a convenient stance considering their inclusion was effectively granted by FIFA’s discretionary powers, not earned through results.
The Stakes Are High
Despite the controversy, one thing is clear: there’s a lot at stake. The new Club World Cup comes with a whopping $1 billion prize pool, with $125 million earmarked for the winners — a figure that rivals the UEFA Champions League purse.
Inter Miami have been placed in a group with some serious competition: Egyptian giants Al Ahly (who boast 45 league titles), Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, and Portugal’s FC Porto. How Inter Miami will fare against clubs with such pedigree is anyone’s guess — and perhaps that’s the intrigue FIFA is banking on.
