Mexico’s Monterrey FC has torn Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami to shreds. The Liga MX side beat Miami 3-1 to grandly progress to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final. Despite recovering from injury to start for the Herons, Messi couldn’t help but misfire. Had Miami gone past the semi-final and won the CCC, they could have confirmed a berth in the upcoming US-hosted FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. The new revamped 32-team Club World Cup has already chosen the past three CCC winners and left a spot vacant for this year’s winners. It is this chance that the Herons blew spectacularly. However, it is not the wits’ end for the David Beckham-co-owned side. There is a plan B.

According to FIFA’s schedule for the upcoming Club World Cup, a fifth CONCACAF team based in the United States can qualify for the tournament. This is because the US is hosting the 2025 competition. The criteria for selecting this US-based team is unknown. However, Inter Miami has become the MLS’ central team since Lionel Messi’s arrival. Moreover, Messi’s feature would only enhance the revamped Club World Cup’s image and popularity. Besides, Inter Miami has an MLS season and Leagues Cup, among other competitions to prove their mettle. So, it is not beyond FIFA to welcome the Herons to the Club World Cup.

Courtesy of their CONCACAF Champions Cup wins, Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, and Leon have already qualified for the Club World Cup. Now that Monterrey is again in the semi-final, there is a chance that they go all the way and win the title this year. If it happens, FIFA will have to look for a new candidate to complete the tournament fixtures. Meanwhile, the date for choosing the US-based team for the World Cup is yet to be announced. Anyhow, 23 teams have already qualified for the 32-team Club World Cup.

23 teams that await Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the Club World Cup

FIFA has ensured the participation of clubs from each of the six confederations. Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds have qualified from Asia’s AFC. Similar to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo also blew his ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup with Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League exit. Anyhow, there is a spot for one more team from Asia. So Ronaldo and Al Nassr can’t be ruled out.

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Besides these teams, Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca have qualified to represent the African Confederation at the CWC. CONMEBOL’s Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Flamengo have also made the cut. Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Inter Milan, Juventus, Benfica, and Porto are qualified to represent the mighty UEFA in the Club World Cup. Australia’s Auckland City is the only OFC team to feature in the upcoming competition. Only time will tell if Leo Messi will return to the elite club competition after winning it thrice with Barcelona.

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