There is palpable excitement around Inter Miami currently after the club recently entered the FIFA Club World Cup draw for the first time.
Javier Mascherano has been named the new Inter Miami manager, he will be looking to lead the team to success in the newly revamped tournament next summer.
The club have been boosted by Luis Suarez signing a new contract and Lionel Messi expressing his ambitions for next season.
Both Suarez and Messi are hoping to have a strong impact on the side as they look to make it out of their Club World Cup group, which certainly won’t be easy.
The Herons fans reacted positively to the draw, but Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas missed out on the one team he wanted to face.
Jorge Mas wanted to draw Real Madrid
While most Inter Miami fans and players are happy just to be involved in the Club World Cup, Inter Miami’s co-owner Jorge Mas was left somewhat disappointed by the draw.
Inter Miami were placed in pot four which meant they were one of the lowest-ranked sides in the draw.
Some of the biggest names in club football were in the draw including Manchester City and Juventus.
However, Jorge Mas had his eyes set on one opponent.
Speaking to the media before the draw Mas said: “We would love to play against Real Madrid, it would be a dream to play with one of the top clubs in the world.”
While Inter Miami did not draw Real Madrid they will still face a tough test to progress from their group. Messi will be hoping to keep his great tournament group stage record alive though.
Breaking down Inter Miami’s Club World Cup opponents
Inter Miami were placed into Group A of the Club World Cup and will face a tough challenge to progress.
The Herons missed out on some of the biggest hitters but will still have their work cut out against Portuguese giants FC Porto, Brazilian side Palmeiras and Egypt’s Al Ahly FC.
Here’s a breakdown of the sides that Javier Mascherano’s side will face:
- FC Porto – Included in Portugal’s ‘Big Three’, FC Porto has won 30 league titles as well as two Champions League trophies, the most recent coming under Jose Mourinho in 2004.
- Palmeiras – The Brazilian side is dominating their domestic league having won 12 Brazilian national titles including back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
- Al Ahly FC – The Egyptians are the most successful club in not just Egypt but the whole of Africa. They have won no fewer than 44 league titles.
It’s safe to say that while Mas is disappointed not to draw Real Madrid the club will still have their work cut out to escape the group.
Inter Miami host Al Ahly in the opening game of the tournament which takes place on June 15th, 2025.