Inter Miami will soon find out their opponents for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Herons will get the chance to test themselves against soccer’s best next summer, with potential ties against the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City on the cards.
Full-back Jordi Alba believes the Club World Cup will be ‘important’ for the MLS outfit, and that sense of optimism is felt throughout the Inter Miami fanbase.
Despite all this positivity, though, Inter Miami’s participation in the Club World Cup has been questioned – with many believing the Herons did not deserve to qualify for the prestigious tournament.
Much of that criticism has been laid at the door of FIFA, with their president, Gianni Infantino being the one who announced the controversial decision back in October.
Gianni Infantino believes Inter Miami ‘deserve’ Club World Cup qualification
Despite losing in the MLS play-offs against Atalanta United, the 2024 season was a record-breaking one for Inter Miami.
Racking up a total of 74 points in just 34 games, it was this impressive league performance that persuaded FIFA to include the Herons in the Club World Cup.
Speaking after Inter Miami’s Supporters’ Shield triumph, FIFA president Infantino revealed to fans the reasoning behind the decision.
“Based on this outstanding performance of this year, you deserve to be and you will be qualified for FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
“As the host team of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, you will have the honor of opening the tournament, hosting the opening game here in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium in front of 65,000 people and tens of millions at home.”
Alexi Lalas believes Inter Miami’s Club World Cup inclusion is ‘disingenuous’
Infantino’s claims that Inter Miami ‘deserve’ a place in the Club World Cup has ruffled a few feathers, to say the least.
US Soccer legend Alexi Lalas is one of the latest pundits to hone on the Herons’ inclusion, branding it as ‘disingenuous’ on his State of Union podcast.
“There was no qualifying process laid out ahead of time. When teams and players don’t know what they’re ultimately playing for, I think it’s disingenuous to say that you qualified for a tournament.
“I don’t think anybody is looking at Inter Miami representing MLS and the US in this tournament that’s coming next summer as a bad thing, but it never should have gotten to that, it should have been done ahead of time.
“Gianni Infantino even said they will be hosting the first game in Miami, so it’s all about Miami and Messi, using him as a promotional vehicle for this Club World Cup that needs promotion.”
Despite the criticism, Lalas recognizes that Miami’s representation at the tournament won’t be a ‘bad thing’ and will only further raise the profile of the MLS – which could be key ahead of the 2026 World Cup.