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Inter Miami's spot in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup has been met with scrutiny.
The decision to award Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami a place at the 2024 Club World Cup has sparked a heated debate on social media.
And former U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) head coach Bruce Arena has labelled the decision as a marketing ploy.
Although Inter Miami had a stellar season under Messi's leadership—claiming the Supporters' Shield with 22 wins—Arena believes their qualification bypasses fairness.
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In an interview on talkSPORT, Arena didn't hold back while giving a scathing assessment of the team led by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“It’s clearly marketing, for sure. Is Inter Miami the sole representative of Major League Soccer? If that’s the case, I think that’s wrong.”
Arena argued that since the MLS playoffs have just begun, Inter Miami has yet to prove themselves as league champions and shouldn’t be handed the prestigious Club World Cup spot based on their regular season performance alone.
They did not qualify for the tournament – Lalas echoes Arena’s sentiment
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Arena isn’t the only one calling foul on the decision.
Fellow USMNT icon Alexi Lalas also expressed frustration, arguing that FIFA’s approach to Inter Miami’s Club World Cup berth lacks transparency.
“There was no qualifying process laid out ahead of time. When teams and players don’t know what they’re ultimately playing for, I think it’s disingenuous to say that you qualified for a tournament,” said Lalas.
According to Lalas, FIFA’s focus on Messi and Miami is unmistakable.
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“Gianni Infantino even said they will be hosting the first game in Miami, so it’s all about Miami and Messi, using him as a promotional vehicle for this Club World Cup that needs promotion.”
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Despite the criticism, Inter Miami is set to compete alongside global giants like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City next summer.
However, Messi and his side have already set their eyes on conquering the MLS Playoffs.
A win away this weekend against Atlanta United would secure their place in the Eastern Conference semifinals and bring Messi’s Inter Miami one step closer to a clean sweep of American soccer trophies.
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