How Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders shape US soccer in the 2025 Club World Cup | OneFootball

The 2025 Club World Cup promises to revolutionize the global soccer stage. With a new format and 32 teams competing for glory, the tournament, nicknamed the “Super World Cup,” will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. Before the action begins, a decisive moment will happen this Thursday, December 5: the official group draw in Miami, which will define the fate of the participating teams.

Two Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders, will have the opportunity to represent the United States on a global stage. Additionally, the tournament will serve as a crucial test for the country as the host, laying the groundwork for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The United States as the stage for the Club World Cup

Being chosen to host the first “Super World Cup” is an important step for the United States. Soccer is gaining more momentum in the country, and events like this help strengthen the U.S.’s position in the international scene. The tournament will be played in 11 cities and 12 stadiums, with venues ranging from Miami to Seattle.

Inter Miami will have the honor of opening the competition at Hard Rock Stadium, playing at home with the support of the local crowd. Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders will bring their MLS tradition to the tournament, where they have already established themselves as one of the league’s most competitive clubs.

The strength of the host

Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, the club has gained a new dimension. Beyond the Argentine star, the team has been building a competitive squad that could surprise. In Thursday’s draw, the Herons will automatically be placed in Group A and will open the tournament.

Playing at home will be an important advantage but also adds pressure to the team. If they manage to advance to the knockout stages, Inter Miami will write an important chapter in MLS history.

International experience

The Seattle Sounders are no strangers to international competitions. As CONCACAF Champions League winners, the club has already shown they can compete at a high level. In the Club World Cup, the team will be placed in Group B and will represent not only Seattle but also the rich soccer culture of the West Coast.

With a balanced roster and a passionate fan base, the Sounders enter the tournament as one of the MLS’s top representatives. It’s an opportunity to prove that U.S. soccer is on the rise and can challenge European giants and South American teams.

The group draw

The group draw, to be held in Miami this Thursday, December 5, will determine the tournament’s matchups. Each group will consist of four teams, with the top seeds coming from Pot 1, which includes giants like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, as well as top South American teams such as Flamengo and River Plate.

The draw rules prohibit two teams from the same confederation from being in the same group, except for European clubs, which are represented in greater numbers. Additionally, Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders will automatically be placed in Groups A and B, respectively.

The Super World Cup format

The new Club World Cup format resembles the former structure of the FIFA World Cup. Thirty-two teams will be divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, where the tournament enters a knockout phase. The final will be decided in a single match, with no third-place match.

Advancing in the tournament would be a milestone for U.S. soccer, but the impact goes beyond the field. It’s a chance to boost MLS’s credibility and position it as a competitive league on the global stage.

The tournament’s impact on the U.S.

With 12 stadiums across 11 cities, the Club World Cup promises to engage fans from coast to coast. Iconic venues like the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles and MetLife Stadium in New York will host historic matches. This type of exposure not only raises the profile of soccer in the country but also solidifies the U.S. as a powerhouse in event organization.

For fans, it’s a chance to see some of the world’s greatest players in action without having to travel abroad. For MLS, it’s a golden opportunity to turn curiosity into passion.