FIFA president Gianni Infantino has officially announced that Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s club, will be the host team for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

This upcoming edition, set to feature 32 teams, will take place in the United States between June and July.

Infantino confirmed the news following Inter Miami’s dominant 6-2 victory over New England Revolution in their final match of the 2024 MLS regular season.

This win secured Miami the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, and set a new points record for a single MLS campaign.

Best Team of the Season in America

In his post-match speech at Chase Stadium, Infantino praised the team, saying, “Miami loves football, the world loves football, and the world loves Miami. Congratulations on winning the Supporters’ Shield with a record-breaking season. You are the best team of the season in America.”

He added, “Based on your exceptional performance, you have earned qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

As the host team, you will have the honor of playing the tournament’s opening game at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium in front of 65,000 fans and millions of viewers worldwide.”

Miami’s Qualification Stirs Debate

Despite Miami’s achievement, some fans have expressed dissatisfaction since winning the Supporters’ Shield doesn’t make them the overall MLS champions.

The 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will determine the league’s official champion, with 18 teams competing for the title.

However, Messi’s presence in the Club World Cup is expected to generate major excitement and help FIFA secure crucial broadcasting deals for the revamped competition, as the organization has faced challenges selling TV rights.

2025 Club World Cup Teams and Host Cities

With Inter Miami’s confirmation, 31 of the 32 available spots for the 2025 Club World Cup have been filled. The final place will go to the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, currently at the semi-final stage, with teams such as Atlético Mineiro, Botafogo, River Plate, and Peñarol still in contention.

Participating teams come from across the globe, including clubs from:

–Africa (CAF):Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Espérance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns
–Asia (AFC): Al Ain, Al-Hilal, Ulsan HD, Urawa Red Diamonds
–Europe (UEFA): Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, RB Salzburg, Real Madrid
–CONCACAF: Club León, Inter Miami, Monterrey, Pachuca, Seattle Sounders
–South America (CONMEBOL): Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Fluminense, Palmeiras, River Plate
–Oceania (OFC): Auckland City

The tournament will be hosted in various US cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

Club World Cup Draw

The official draw for the 2025 Club World Cup is expected in December 2024, though FIFA has yet to confirm the exact date.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have maintained their 39th position in the latest FIFA world rankings, despite securing four points in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The updated rankings, released by FIFA on Thursday morning, also see Nigeria holding 6th place in Africa.

While the Super Eagles achieved a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin’s Cheetahs and played out a 0-0 draw against Rwanda’s Amavubi, these results were insufficient to improve their global standing.

Nigeria slipped from 38th to 39th in the rankings a few months ago due to a string of underwhelming performances and has remained in the same spot.

On the African continent, Nigeria still trails behind football powerhouses like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia. However, with a new coaching team in place, the Super Eagles will have another opportunity to climb the rankings during the next AFCON qualifiers in October.

Top 10 African Teams in the Latest FIFA Rankings:

1. Morocco
2. Senegal
3. Egypt
4. Côte d’Ivoire
5. Tunisia
6. Nigeria
7. Algeria
8. Cameroon
9. Mali
10. DR Congo

Despite their current rank, Nigeria still holds an advantage over other notable African football nations like Ghana, South Africa, and Cameroon.

However, the Super Eagles’ recent challenges in international competitions have kept them stagnant in the rankings, despite the team’s rich footballing legacy and immense potential.

Meanwhile, teams like Algeria (41st), Congo (58th), and Burkina Faso (63rd) have made gains in the rankings. In contrast, Cameroon dropped to 53rd, while South Africa (59th) and Ghana (70th) have also experienced declines.

With an important AFCON qualifier on the horizon, the Super Eagles will be eager to break their current ranking plateau and see their efforts reflected in future updates.

World football governing body, FIFA, has placed a ban on Katsina United of the Nigeria Premier Football League along with twenty-two other African clubs, preventing them from registering new players.

According to FIFA’s website, Katsina United’s ban began on June 12, 2024, and will last for three registration periods.

The sanction results from recent contractual violations involving the club and several players.

The other banned clubs include:

• DC Motema Pembe
• TP Mazembe
• Future FC
• Al Masry
• Zamalek SC
• Horoya AC
• Raja Club Athletic
• Wydad Athletic Club
• African Stars FC
• Kiyovu Sports Association
• Royal AM
• TS Galaxy FC
• Singida Big Stars FC
• Tabora United
• Club Africain
• CS Sfaxien
• Etoile du Sahel
• US Monastir
• Mbarara City FC
• Buildcon FC
• Indeni FC
• Lusaka Dynamos FC

The ban has caused significant turmoil within Katsina United, leading to an exodus of key players seeking opportunities with other clubs. Some players, whose contracts were terminated verbally, are now unwilling to return.

One affected player spoke to a Daily Trust reporter under the condition of anonymity, describing his bewilderment over the situation.

“The team manager called to inform me that my services were no longer needed, so I shouldn’t return to the club,” he said. “I still have one year of my contract left, so I was confused. But he said they will pay me three months for me to go and find another club.”

He continued, “He also said if that is not acceptable to me, I should resume, but I won’t be part of the team, although they will pay my monthly salary. That got me even more confused.”

The player was later informed by his lawyer that the club had reversed its decision and requested his return.

“Well, my position is that my contract is already terminated by Katsina United, so they will pay me off so that I can go elsewhere to continue with my career,” he concluded.

The ban on Katsina United and the other clubs highlights the serious contractual and administrative issues within some African football clubs.

As these clubs navigate the repercussions of FIFA’s sanctions, their ability to maintain competitive squads and ensure the well-being of their players remains uncertain.

This situation underscores the need for better governance and adherence to contractual obligations in African football.