'Clearly Marketing…That’s Wrong!': Messi's Miami Criticized for Controversial Club World Cup INVITE

The recent announcement by FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Inter Miami's attendance in the next FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Given Inter Miami's past non-participation in the Club World Cup and allegedly Messi's presence might have driven FIFA to invite the squad for this event, this was not likely expected. With Inter Miami hosting the United States, the event—which consists of 32 teams from six football confederations—will start on June 15, 2025. Running until July 13, the contest will finish with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Notably, not yet secured are any significant U.S. sponsors or media rights agreements. There will be participation from several prominent clubs from around the world looking to make an impact in the FIFA Club World Cup. 

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Bruce Arena makes a huge statement about Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami given an alleged push for Club World Cup

Veteran coach Bruce Arena has expressed worries over Lionel Messi's and Inter Miami's qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Arena questioned Miami's participation into the elite event, having coached teams including New England Revolution, LA Galaxy, DC United, and the USMNT.

Major acquisitions like Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez—who have helped Inter Miami reach fresh heights—have fuelled the club's explosive climb. With a record-breaking 74 points, the Herons have already grabbed the Supporters' Shield, top of the MLS Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami declared on October 19 that they would take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the main club competition with 32 elite clubs from all around the world scheduled to take place in the United States following year. June 15 will see Miami host the opening game.

Bruce Arena has voiced his criticism on the club's qualifying, implying that the choosing procedure might have been faulty. He said (using TalkSPORT):

“It's clearly marketing, for sure. Is Inter Miami the sole representative of Major League Soccer? If that's the case, I think that's wrong.”

Still, he admitted that the arrival of Lionel Messi would create many marketing prospects for the league as well as the team.

Usually, the top MLS team gets a place in the FIFA Club World Cup. The MLS playoffs are under progress, though, and the MLS Cup champion won't be known until December. Gaining the Supporters' Shield means Inter Miami was the top Eastern Conference team this season.

Messi and his colleagues will thus still take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup independent of the MLS Cup's conclusion.