World football governing body, FIFA, has announced that Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have picked up a spot in the inaugural edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States next year.
“Inter Miami CF has become the penultimate club to seal a spot at the new FIFA Club World Cup after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, confirming them as the best team throughout the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season,” FIFA said in a statement.
The Supporters’ Shield is awarded to the club with best record in the league — and with 74 points, most points in a single MLS season, garnered for 22 wins and eight draws with only four defeats, Inter Miami clinched the title, which FIFA said made them the ‘best team’ in the just concluded regular season.
Inter Miami confirmation means 31 of the 32 FIFA Club World Cup 2025 participating clubs have been locked in, with the club serving as the host country’s representative team for the tournament.
According to FIFA, Inter Miami will also open the tournament as the host team and play in the inaugural game of the tournament in their hometown of Miami.
It stated, “We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football,” said the FIFA President Gianni Infantino while announcing Inter Miami’s participation during a fan and team celebration following Inter Miami’s final MLS regular season match against New England Revolution.
“Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters’ Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play. Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are a deserved participant in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States.”
