Inter Miami will compete in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup, with the Herons discovering this week who they will be facing.
Javier Mascherano’s side were drawn into an interesting group featuring FC Porto, Palmeiras and Al-Alhy, with Inter Miami set to kick-start the Club World Cup with the opening game of the competition against the Egyptian giants.
With Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas revealing that he would jump at the chance to sign Neymar if the opportunity presented itself in January, the Florida franchise could go into next year’s competition as an outside favorite if they can add to their roster.
And soccer legend Xavi Hernandez has now given his take on Inter Miami taking part in the competition.
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Xavi ‘excited’ for the likes of Inter Miami taking part in Club World Cup
Speaking to FIFA’s official website, the former FC Barcelona manager shared how ‘excited’ he is for smaller clubs like Inter Miami to face the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, with the new competition set to bring up some interesting match-ups.
With Xavi a candidate to take the Inter Miami job earlier this year, the 44-year-old coach could have been involved with the Club World Cup had he beaten out Mascherano to the position, though the Catalan coach is excited to see how the Herons fair next summer.
Xavi said when asked how he feels about the likes of Inter Miami taking on some of the biggest teams in soccer: “I find it exciting. In some way, not only for European football that already competes in the Champions League and is always competing at a very, very high level.
“It is also an opportunity for the different clubs in the world. I think this competition is going to be a before and after, and it’s wonderful for any club in the world. Football people will be waiting to see it.”
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Inter Miami will want to silence critics at next summer’s tournament
Inter Miami head into the Club World Cup both as underdogs as well as something of a joke from a European perspective, with the Herons given little chance of doing much at next summer’s competition.
Yet this mindset is what will fuel Inter Miami to cause some upsets at the Club World Cup, with the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions ready to show the world why they deserve a place at the competition amongst the best in the game.
Indeed, Inter Miami have a squad that can compete with the likes of Porto, Palmeiras and Al-Ahly, and Lionel Messi and company will be keen to prove they still are some of the best players in the world with the Herons.
