Despite not entering the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as favorites, Inter Miami achieved an impressive milestone on Monday by successfully making it through the group stage. Lionel Messi and his teammates appeared to have fewer weapons than their Group A rivals, but they rose to the occasion and secured a place in the round of 16.
The draw against Al Ahly in the opener—and especially the crucial win over Porto on Matchday 2—put the Herons within reach of qualification, which they confirmed on Monday with a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras. With that result, the Brazilian side advanced as group winners, while Inter Miami finished second due to goal differential.
Now, Javier Mascherano’s team move on to the next stage of the tournament as runners-up in Group A, and will face Paris Saint-Germain, who finished first in Group B. PSG collected 6 points after defeating Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders, and losing to Botafogo.
The round of 16 clash between Inter Miami and PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be played on Sunday, June 29 at 12 PM (ET) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Lionel Messi played for PSG between 2021 and 2023.
All eyes will be on Messi
Sunday’s match will be one of the most anticipated clashes so far in the Club World Cup. Not only because it features the reigning European champions, with all the weight that carries, but especially because it marks Lionel Messi’s first meeting with PSG since his departure from the club.
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The Argentine forward left Paris in mid-2023 after two seasons in which he won domestic titles but failed to lead the team to UEFA Champions League success. That disappointment led to frustration from many fans, who felt let down by Leo.
Unaccustomed to that kind of criticism, Messi didn’t feel comfortable during his final months at PSG—something he later acknowledged in several interviews, clarifying that his overall experience in France was not a happy one. Now, the question is how he’ll be received by the PSG supporters who traveled to the United States to follow their team.
What’s next in the Club World Cup?
In addition to the Inter Miami vs PSG matchup, another round of 16 clash is already set in the Club World Cup: Palmeiras, who finished first in Group A, will face fellow Brazilian side Botafogo, who ended second in Group B. That match will be played on Saturday, June 28 at 12 PM (ET) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the remaining Matchday 3 games will be played, determining the qualified teams from the other six groups, as well as their final positions in the standings and the matchups for the round of 16.
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