Inter Miami, Al Ahly Open 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in Miami

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this weekend in the United States, with Inter Miami CF hosting African champions Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Inter Miami qualified by winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield and enters the tournament with global superstar Lionel Messi and other former Barcelona stars like Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, aiming to make a strong impression on home soil. Despite the buzz around Inter Miami, the team is considered an underdog in Group A, which also includes Brazilian side Palmeiras and Portuguese club FC Porto, both with rich histories and multiple titles. Al Ahly, with 45 Egyptian Premier League titles and numerous continental trophies, is a formidable opponent, known for their physicality and winning pedigree. The expanded tournament features 32 teams across 11 U.S. cities, with Inter Miami hoping to leverage home advantage and star power to overcome more historically established clubs. Manager Javier Mascherano, a former Barcelona teammate of Inter Miami’s stars, emphasizes the importance of competing at the highest level in this prestigious competition.