Introduction
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 kicks off with a highly anticipated match: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly. The football world turns its gaze to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium as Lionel Messi leads his team in their tournament debut. Will the CAF giants upset the MLS record-breakers?
Match Details & Broadcast
Who: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
When: Saturday, June 14 at 8:00 PM ET (00:00 GMT, June 15)
Coverage: Live build-up from 6:00 PM on Al Jazeera Sport
How They Qualified
- Inter Miami booked their spot after breaking the MLS regular-season points record with 74 points.
- Al Ahly qualified by winning the CAF Champions League in 2023.
Group A Line-up
Group A includes:
- Inter Miami (USA)
- Al Ahly (Egypt)
- Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Porto (Portugal)
For full group listings, see our post: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – All Groups and Fixtures
Team News & Line‑ups
Inter Miami: Coach Javier Mascherano confirmed absences of Jordi Alba, Gonzalo Luján, and Yannick Bright. Centre-back David Martínez is doubtful with muscle pain.
Al Ahly: Coach José Riveiro will lead a full-strength squad, with Mahmoud Trezeguet and Emam Ashour as key attackers.
Messi’s Role & Key Players
Messi, who won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2011 with Barcelona, returns seeking a third title. He is expected to partner with Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets in the Miami attack.
Al Ahly’s Emam Ashour has been a revelation this season, while winger Trezeguet’s Premier League experience could prove decisive.
What’s at Stake
The total prize money for the tournament is a massive $1 billion, with the winner set to receive up to $125 million. Half the pot will be distributed among all 32 clubs based on performance and commercial value.
Tactical Preview
- Inter Miami: High-possession, attacking football centered around Messi’s creativity.
- Al Ahly: Physical midfield control, tight defense, and opportunistic counter-attacks.
- Advantage: Miami’s familiarity with the climate and turf could be crucial.
Legacy Battle: Beckham vs African Kings
David Beckham remains the co-owner and figurehead of Inter Miami, a franchise he helped launch in 2020. Meanwhile, Al Ahly boast the most trophies in club football history — an astounding 155.
Conclusion
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 opener promises fireworks. Will Messi begin his campaign with a win, or will Al Ahly shock the MLS giants? Tune in and witness a new era of global club competition.