Club World Cup 2024/ Lionel Messi Inter Miami/ FIFA Club World Cup groups/ U.S. hosts Club World Cup/ Messi vs Al Ahly/ Inter Miami Hard Rock Stadium/ MIAMI/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will kick off the 2024 Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al Ahly in Miami on June 15. The tournament, featuring 32 top clubs including Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester City, will use 12 U.S. venues, culminating in a July 13 final at MetLife Stadium.
Messi’s Inter Miami Path in Club World Cup: Quick Looks
- Tournament Opener: Inter Miami faces Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
- Expanded Format: 32 teams from five continents compete in the U.S. from June 15–July 13.
- Group A: Inter Miami’s group includes Palmeiras and Porto alongside Al Ahly.
- Key Matchups: Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal, PSG vs. Seattle Sounders highlight group stages.
- Final Venue: MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the championship match.
Messi, Inter Miami Opens Club World Cup vs. Egyptian Club Al Ahly
Deep Look
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will kick off the newly expanded 2024 Club World Cup in Miami, where they face Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening match. The tournament, featuring 32 of the world’s top clubs, will span 12 venues across the U.S., concluding with a final at MetLife Stadium on July 13.
Tournament Details
The 2024 Club World Cup marks the first iteration of the event with 32 teams, using the traditional format of eight groups with four teams each. The top two from each group will advance to the knockout stage, ultimately leading to the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final.
Among the standout teams in the field are global heavyweights such as Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. South America’s powerhouses Flamengo, River Plate, and Palmeiras add to the competition.
Inter Miami in Group A
Inter Miami, representing the host nation, joins Group A alongside Brazil’s Palmeiras, Portugal’s Porto, and Al Ahly. Despite criticism of FIFA’s choice to include the team over more successful MLS clubs, Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas defended the decision.
“This is a testament to our community and soccer culture,” Mas said.
Inter Miami’s selection drew further scrutiny after the team, led by Messi, failed to make a deep run in the MLS Cup playoffs despite earlier success in the Leagues Cup.
Global Matchups and Stars
The draw promises marquee matchups:
- Group B: PSG faces Atletico Madrid and Botafogo meets the Seattle Sounders.
- Group H: Real Madrid clashes with Al-Hilal, potentially pitting Kylian Mbappé against Neymar.
- Group G: Manchester City takes on Juventus and Wydad Casablanca.
“Anytime soccer is brought to the U.S., it’s going to be a great atmosphere,” said Sounders co-owner Ken Griffey Jr.
FIFA’s Vision and Controversies
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the event’s focus on inclusivity and global representation. However, critics argue that the tournament doesn’t feature the 32 “best” clubs, highlighting the inclusion of Inter Miami as an example.
“I’m supportive of FIFA’s decision and thrilled to see both Miami and Seattle competing globally.”
Tournament Groups
- Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
- Group B: PSG, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle
- Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
- Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon
- Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan
- Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
- Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg
Anticipation Builds
“Five years ago, this club didn’t exist,” Mas said. “Now we’re hosting the best teams in the world. That’s what we dream of.”
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