Club World Cup Preview: Inter Miami

In partnership with

Hooligan Soccer

·1 Juni 2025

Club World Cup Preview: Inter Miami

The fourth in our continuing series highlighting all the clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup, which starts on June 14th.

Club Background

From: Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
How They Qualified: As the host nation, the United States received an open club slot. After Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters Shield with a record 74 points in 2024, FIFA announced they would be selected to fill it.
Best CWC Finish: This is their first appearance.

Recent Form: An interesting mix of excellence and awfulness has characterized Inter Miami’s season. They’re currently in fourth place on 29 points with a game in hand. They were thoroughly humiliated by Vancouver in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, losing 5 – 1 on aggregate.
Some Facts: The club was founded in 2018, the youngest of any team in the tournament. The franchise is the second-most valuable (~$1.03B) in the MLS according to Forbes magazine, despite its young age. Much of this value is tied to the club having Lionel Messi on the roster, who signed in 2023 after leaving Barcelona. They have more Argentinians (nine) than Americans (six) on their roster. 80% of their squad is non-U.S. In addition to the Supporters Shield in 2024, they won the League Cup in 2023.

The Team

Manager: Javier Mascherano Became Inter Miami’s fifth coach in the past six years in late November 2024. He is a former Barcelona teammate of Messi.
Star Players: Lionel Messi Duh. The GOAT. In 24 games so far in 2025 he’s got 17g/7a. At 37 years old. Luis Suárez At 38 years old, this could be his last big tournament. He’s notched 9g/13a over 25 games this year. Not bad. Sergio Busquets & Jordi Alba If those names are familiar, that’s because they were Messi’s teammates back in Barcelona.
Young Players to Watch: Telasco Segovia 22 year old left midfielder from Venezuela. Signed in 2025. Benjamin Cremaschi 20 year old right midfielder. Cremaschi came up from the Inter Miami academy in 2023. He doesn’t rack up big numbers, but brings high energy onto the pitch. Noah Allen 21 year old left defender. Came up from the Inter Miami academy in 2022. Has 45 tackles and 23 interceptions in 27 games.

When to Watch

8:00pm ET on Jun 14, 2025 vs. Al-Ahly @ Hard Rock Stadium, Miami FL
3:00pm ET on Jun 19, 2025 vs. FC Porto @ Mercedes-Benz, Atlanta, GA
9:00pm ET on Jun 23, 2025 vs. Palmeiras @ Hard Rock Stadium, Miami FL

The Hooligan Take

Let’s be honest, Inter Miami could have been dead last in the MLS last year and still would have been picked for the tournament based on one criteria: Lionel Messi. He is the world’s greatest player at the moment, and wherever he plays the stadiums will sell out. Two weeks ago I was not optimistic about Miami’s chances. Recently, however, their form has recovered and they look dangerous though there is one big caveat. They are completely reliant on Messi. If he’s off, the team does not perform well.