Lionel Messi may see some familiar faces soon as the Inter Miami star is ‘set to face Premier League giants in next summer’s Club World Cup’ after his squad looks set to be the ‘hosts’ for the expanded tournament.
Messi has spent more than a year away from European football while exceling in Miami. By virtue of Wednesday night’s victory, Inter Miami will win the Supporters’ Shield, marking the team with the best regular-season record in the MLS.
The United States is hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, which with a staggering 32 teams participating, up from seven in the 2023 edition.
Inter Miami’s edition is not confirmed by FIFA, but clarity is likely to come soon, via GiveMeSport.
Inter Miami would be the second American team involved in the tournament, joining the Seattle Sounders, who qualified by winning the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.
Lionel Messi could play in global club tournament once more in next summer’s Club World Cup
Manchester City have qualified for the tournament and are expected to be among the favorites
Two Premier League teams are also slated to take part in the competition, Manchester City and Chelsea, after the teams lifted UEFA Champions League trophies in 2023 and 2021 respectively.
There are some who believe the open host spot would go to this year’s MLS Cup champion, which could also still be Inter Miami.
Only two of the 32 spots in the competition have not been filled, the ‘hosts’, and the winner of this year’s Copa Libertadores tournament, which will crown a victor on November 30.
A European team has won the tournament every year since 2012, when Brazilian side Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the final.
Inter Miami always seemed like a solid choice to fill the hosts role, as adding Messi to the fold brings in one of the world’s top soccer stars.
The opening match of the tournament could be at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, fulfilling Inter Miami’s hosting responsibilities.