Overview

• FIFA announced Inter Miami's qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup, despite the team not yet winning the MLS Cup, by awarding them a spot as the host nation's representative.
• The decision was based on Inter Miami winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, which recognizes the best team in the regular season, rather than the MLS Cup winner.
• This move has been met with criticism from fans and observers who question FIFA's lack of clear qualification criteria and perceive it as a commercially motivated decision.
• FIFA's choice to grant the host nation an automatic spot is seen as a strategy to boost local interest and visibility for the Club World Cup, especially with Messi's involvement.
• The controversy highlights the tension between FIFA's global tournament rules and the unique structure of American soccer, prompting discussions on potential changes to the league system.