Latest
NBA
NFL
NASCAR
Golf
Tennis
ES Fancast
Latest
NBA
NFL
NASCAR
Golf
Tennis
ES Fancast
Home
Soccer
Follow Us
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 1, 2024; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) runs on the field against Al-Nassr during the second half at Kingdom Arena. Mandatory Credit: Victor Fraile-USA TODAY Sports
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.
via Reuters
Soccer Football – Friendly – Al Hilal v Inter Miami – Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – January 29, 2024 Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, Drake Callender, Sergio Busquets, Tomas Aviles, Serhiy Kryvtsov and Jordi Alba line up before the match REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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.
Monterrey Boss Opens Up on Alleged Confrontation With Lionel Messi Over Referee Bias Comments After Inter Miami’s Loss
April 09, 2023 01:59 PM EDT
April 10, 2024 01:06 PM EDT
April 09, 2024 01:00 PM EDT
March 30, 2024 02:46 PM EDT
April 08, 2024 08:37 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Soccer stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Lionel Messi’s Former Teammate Eyes ‘Attractive’ Saudi League Project, Opening Doors to Potential Move
SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Written by:
Krishna Prasad M
910Articles
One take at a time
Edited by:
Sreeda U M
EssentiallySports is a digital-first sports media house that surfaces the best stories on America's favorite sports celebrities with a fan's perspective to 30+ M average monthly readers.
Sports
All
Boxing
Formula One
Golf
NASCAR
NBA
NFL
ONE Championship
Tennis
UFC
WWE
Bodybuilding
WNBA
EssentiallySports
About Us
Advertise With Us
Authors
Editorial Team
Behind The Scenes
Humans of EssentiallySports
Contact Us
FAQs
Our Brands
FanCast
On The Ropes
Bodybuilding Bros
Club Golf
Lucky Dog on Track
Sports
All
Boxing
Formula One
Golf
NASCAR
NBA
NFL
ONE Championship
Tennis
UFC
WWE
Bodybuilding
WNBA
Privacy Policy
ES Pressroom
Ethics Policy
Fact-Checking Policy
Corrections Policy
Cookies Policy
GDPR Compliance
Terms of Use
Editorial Guidelines
Ownership and funding Information
Full Spectrum Services LLP © 2024 | All Rights Reserved
