Breaking News: Inter Miami CF Secures Surprise Spot in 2025 Club World Cup
In a shocking move, Inter Miami CF has been chosen as the final team to participate in the 2025 Club World Cup, a 32-team tournament taking place in the United States next summer. FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the announcement at the team’s victory ceremony, where they had just secured a 6-2 win and a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
The unexpected decision came as a surprise to many, as Infantino had previously mentioned that the final spot would be awarded to a team from the host country based on "clearly defined sporting merit". However, Infantino revealed that Inter Miami earned the berth by winning the Supporters’ Shield, the MLS regular-season title, with a record 74 points.
Many fans are left questioning the legitimacy of this decision, as the MLS’s regular season is actually determined through a play-off system, not a points-based system. Additionally, several teams had already qualified for the tournament based on their performance in continental championships between 2021 and 2024.
Yet, Infantino’s decision will undoubtedly bring a boost to the tournament’s appeal, with Messi’s presence sure to draw in fans from around the world. However, many believe that the final spot should have been awarded based on the criteria announced prior to the season.
The full 32-team field for the 2025 Club World Cup is as follows:
- North and Central America: Monterrey, León, Pachuca (all Mexico), Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami (both United States)
- South America: Palmeiras, Flamengo and Fluminense (all Brazil), Boca Juniors, River Plate (both Argentina)
- Europe: Chelsea, Manchester City (both England), Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid (both Spain), Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund (both Germany), PSG (France), Inter Milan, Juventus (both Italy), Porto, Benfica (both Portugal), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
- Asia: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Ulsan (South Korea), Al Ain (UAE)
- Africa: Al-Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Esperance (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Oceania: Auckland City (New Zealand)
Stay tune for more updates on this developing story! Follow us on all social media platforms to get the latest news and insights on the world of football.