Earlier this month, FIFA announced that Inter Miami would be the 31st team in its inaugural Club World Cup, set to be hosted in 2025. While their inclusion is expected to add value to the tournament, especially with Lionel Messi in the squad, the decision has sparked significant controversy, including criticism from football pundits.
When CBS’s Nico Cantor was recently asked whether Messi and Inter Miami’s inclusion felt questionable, he noted that FIFA’s long-standing desire to involve them in the Club World Cup has been “football’s worst-kept secret.”
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Cantor pointed out that simply winning the MLS Cup—or even the Supporters’ Shield—does not secure a spot in the Club World Cup. For U.S. clubs to qualify, success in the CONCACAF Champions League, where North America’s top teams compete, is essential.
“It felt like FIFA was waiting… because you’d want a team as marketable [as Inter Miami],” he remarked.
At that moment, Cantor’s co-pundit interjected, asking, “Team… or player?”
The prevailing belief worldwide is that FIFA included Inter Miami in the Club World Cup primarily because of Lionel Messi. Despite the Florida-based club’s impressive performance in the MLS this year, topping the Eastern Conference, it remains a domestic league. Meanwhile, the other 30 qualified teams earned their spots through international success.
Cantor’s co-host noted that, even with Inter’s other notable stars like Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez, FIFA wouldn’t have extended a guest invitation to Miami under normal circumstances.
🥁 Introducing the host club for the #FIFACWC… @InterMiamiCF 💫#TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/OuS2EWWXzK
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) October 20, 2024
Messi’s presence, however, reportedly motivated FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ensure their place in the Club World Cup—an event already grappling with marketability and still lacking secured TV rights for its debut.
Inter Miami will join Seattle Sounders as the second American club in the tournament pool, with the Sounders having qualified by winning the CONCACAF Champions League two years ago.
