The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.

Al Ahly comes out of Egypt having qualified after winning the CAF Champions League in 2020-21. This is the club’s 10th trip to the CWC, and fourth year in a row. Al Ahly has finished third in three of the last four tournaments.

In the world of sports, certain names will always loom large. For modern soccer fans, it's impossible to overlook Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar might not be the biggest man around, but his resume towers over the competition.

The opening game of the FIFA Club World Cup is scheduled tongiht at Hard Rock Stadium featuring Inter Miami FC and global star Lionel Messi.

Thirty-two clubs from around the world will compete in the Club World Cup, which begins Saturday night when Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami hosts Al Ahly, the champions of the Egyptian Premier League. Messi and Miami are +100 favorites on the three-way moneyline for Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

The best teams in the world will be in the United States this summer as the FIFA Club World Cup will bring teams from reigning Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain to the only amateur side in the competition in Auckland City FC from New Zealand.

"CBP will be suited and booted," the organization wrote June 4 on X, "ready to provide security for the first round of games."From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.

Is Kylian Mbappé playing in the 2025 Club World Cup? Find out if the Real Madrid superstar will feature in FIFA’s revamped 32-team tournament this summer.