By beating New England Revolution on Saturday, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami cemented their spot in the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, after completing a historic MLS regular season. A brace from Luis Suarez and a second hat-trick in four days from substitute Lionel Messi saw the club secure an emphatic 6-2 win to become the record holders for most points in a MLS regular season.
Fresh off his superlative performance for Argentina three days ago, Messi came off the bench with the scoreline poised delicately at 3-2 to cap off a wonderful performance for the team.
The celebrations that took place after the match were euphoric, and why not? Inter Miami, captained by none other than Lionel Messi, finished the season with 22 wins, eight draws, and only four losses from February to October. And while the MLS golden boot was won by Christian Benteke, Messi and Suarez also finished high on the scoring charts with 20 goals apiece.
A Befitting Reward For a Stellar Season
FIFA president Giannis Infantino announced during the post match celebrations that Miami, due to their regular season triumph, would take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as the last CONCACAF participant.
"I have three things to tell you. First, many congratulations for winning the Supporters' Shield. The second, you will be qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. And third, you will be opening and hosting the opening game at the Hard Rock Stadium in front of 65,000 people!”, Infantino said to the crowd.
A statement on FIFA’s website confirmed the development: “Inter Miami qualifies as the host country representative team on the basis of the club’s outstanding and consistent 34-match campaign that saw them secure the shield with two MLS matches to play. Inter Miami will also open the tournament as the host team and play in the inaugural game of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ in their hometown of Miami.”
The New Expanded Format For The FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The 2025 FIFA World Club Cup will be the first time the competition will be held using the new expanded format. Previously, only seven teams featured, six continental club competition winners (Champions League equivalents) from each continent and one from the next World Cup host. The competition was played every year.
In the new format, the World Club Cup, just like the World Cup, will now be played every four years, featuring 32 teams. In the new format, 12 teams from Europe will be participating, with allocations based on performances in the Champions League over four seasons (2025 edition will be based on performances from 2020-21 up to and including this season).
Also joining Inter Miami are winners of the Champions League over the last three seasons - Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City. Also the best-performing sides in the European Champions League in the same period. The likes of Bayern Munich, PSG and Inter all qualify through the ranking route.
CONCACAF’s remaining participants in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup are Liga MX sides Monterrey, Club Leon, Pachuca and fellow MLS team, Seattle Sounders. The first match of the tournament will be played in South Florida at Hard Rock Stadium.
What's Next For Lionel Messi and Inter Miami?
Inter Miami will now look ahead to the MLS Playoffs, where they are set to face the winner of the Eastern Conference wildcard game between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.