Lionel Messi's Inter Miami placed in Pot 4 for Club World Cup draw, among lowest seeds in the tournament

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have been placed in pot four, the lowest-ranking pot, for the FIFA Club World Cup draw. The Herons were given a spot in the competition after they won the Supporters’ Shield in the 2024 MLS season.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 saw a major change in the competition as the number of participating teams increased from seven to thirty-two. The revamped FIFA Club World Cup will take place in the United States from 15 June to 13 July.

FIFA has confirmed the procedures for the draw, which will take place in Miami on Thursday, December 5, at 13:00 local time (19:00 CET).

Due to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami’s exploits in the regular MLS season, they were picked as the team to represent the host country. They will play in the opening game of the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Ahead of the draw, the qualified clubs for the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup have been allocated to four pots of eight teams each. Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami side were placed in Pot 4, along with fellow MLS side Seattle Sounders.

Pot 1 consists of the highest-ranked teams from Europe and South America - Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain, CR Flamengo, SE Palmeiras, CA River Plate, and Fluminense.

Pot 2 is made up of the remaining European qualifiers - Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, and Salzburg.

Pot 3 is made up of the two highest-ranked qualifiers from Asia, the two highest-ranked teams in Africa, North America, and South America. The clubs include Al Hilal, Ulsan HD, Al Ahly, Wydad AC, CF Monterrey, Club Leon, CA Boca Juniors, and Botafogo.

Pot 4 consists of the two remaining teams, respectively, from Asia, Africa, and the North, Central America, and the Caribbean region. It also includes Oceania’s representatives and the team representing the host country. The teams are Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Espérance Sportive de Tunisie, Mamelodi Sundowns, CF Pachuca, Seattle Sounders, Auckland City, and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

What Gianni Infantino said on granting Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA chose to include Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami side in the revamped Club World Cup following their Supporters’ Shield triumph. The Herons won the trophy in style as they secured the highest-ever points tally in a regular MLS season with 74 points. However, they lost in the first round of the MLS playoffs.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was, however, thrilled with Inter Miami’s performance in the regular MLS season and deemed them worthy competitors in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. He said:

“We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football. Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters’ Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play."

“Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States.”

He added:

“We are looking forward to you hosting the opening match in Miami on Sunday, 15 June 2025. It’s sure to be a great celebration for global club football as the tournament features the best 32 clubs in the world, and provides a new opportunity for clubs, players, coaches, and fans alike to take their stories to the world.”